Starting Over

Here I Sit
6 months ago, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system.  It started when I noticed a few swollen lymph nodes on my neck.  I had them looked at, and a bunch of tests and a biopsy later, I had become a member of one the biggest health epidemics [...]

Beauty Tips for Cancer Fightin’ Chicks

My appearance has always been something that I value.  I personally think it’s important to stay looking my best when I’m out and about.  I don’t do it because I’m seeking approval by the masses; rather, it gives me confidence and helps me to love myself.  Yes, it’s okay to love yourself.  As a matter [...]

Finding Sanctuary

According to Webster’s unabridged dictionary (1913), a sanctuary is by definition a sacred and inviolable asylum; a place of refuge and protection; shelter.  Other definitions also refer to it as a place of holiness, where sacred relics are kept in religious churches and temples.  I’ve been thinking about this word a lot lately.  Now that [...]

Training Wheels

I will never forget the day I learned to ride my bicycle without training wheels.   My bike was pink and white with wide metal handlebars, pom poms dangled from each handle, and a white basket sat on the front.  I had gotten the bike for my 6th birthday.  It came with training wheels on it.  [...]

Identity & Survival

I’ve been getting more and more exhausted from my treatments.  Last Thursday, I hit my halfway mark. I have 6 more chemo sessions to go before – fingers crossed – I’m done.  It’s been 4 months since I got on this roller coaster of a hell-ride.  The time has crept by ever so slowly, and [...]

Chemotherapy Side Effects: 101

There is a whole laundry list of side effects that come with kicking cancer’s ass via chemotherapy.  The first time I met with my oncologist and her head nurse, they gave me some literature on each of the chemicals I would be administered.  Some of the side effects were listed in that literature, but I’ve [...]

A Day In The Life (at Chemo)

At this point I’ve completed 4 chemotherapy sessions which means I’m 33% closer to being cured.  My sister flew out to California from North Carolina to help out during my last treatment.  I stuck a camera in her hand and we started getting footage of my fight.  I’m considering putting together a film about my [...]

Why Me?

I still don’t know how it happened.  I don’t know when or why it happened.  Did I do something do deserve this fate?  Should I have been more careful with my body?  Am I being punished for poor behavior?  Was it stress?  WHY ME?
It’s impossible for me not to ask these questions.  The hard part [...]

Chemotherapy #1

It wasn’t fun, I’ll be honest, but it wasn’t horrifying either.  2 days ago, I went in for my first treatment, just following a bone marrow biopsy I’d had the day before.  As of this moment, I still don’t know if I have Lymphoma in my marrow, but Dr. Tetef, my Oncologist, seems to think [...]

Under the Knife

In elementary school, there were always those kids that would break a bone and have to wear a cast.  The other kids were fascinated by the casts – which came in an assortment of colors – and we’d all grab a sharpie to autograph it.  As demented as it sounds,  I envied the attention those [...]