Betsy Milburn #beestrong

Welcome to my CaringBridge website. This is where I plan to journal and include updates on my 2nd journey with Primary Mediastinal, Diffused Large B Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I was originally diagnosed in October 2015 when I was almost 3 months pregnant with my son Reid. I was given the option at that time to do a stronger chemo that would significantly decrease my chances of a relapse but would require termination of pregnancy, or to continue to grow my sweet baby boy inside of me while undergoing a milder chemo. My husband, Ryan and I chose the latter of the two as we were already so in love with our son and couldn't imagine life without him. 
Fast forward through 18 weeks of chemotherapy, weekly appointments with the high-risk OBGYN, an early delivery at 35 weeks, a week in the NICU, 15 rounds of radiation, and another surprise pregnancy just 2 months postpartum from the first...and here we are today. A family of five with what feels like the weight of the world on our shoulders as we just found out I have relapsed and will have to undergo 3 rounds of high-dose chemo (an impatient treatment that will require a 3-4 day hospital stay each time) followed by an autologis stem cell transplant (a 28-40 day isolated hospitalization). While all of this is incredibly overwhelming and heartbreaking, I truly believe that there is a purpose for all that we are about to endure and that we are meant to gain so much faith, strength, and gratitude from it. And I know that others can gain the same simply as witnesses to our journey. That is why I have decided to be more transparent and open this time around. I want our friends and family to gain hope and inspiration and also be able to provide the same to us in our moments of weakness. I know that the road ahead will be long and windy but with your love and prayers, we WILL get through it and come out better and stronger in the end. Thank you for your support and encouragement. 💜
#beestrong #faithoverfear