Janice Avery Janice E Avery

Welcome, we are using this to keep family and friends updated. Thank you for visiting.  At this point we have a formal diagnosis of stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma. The main tumor started in my anterior chest cavity, and has grown upward so that there are swollen clumps of lymph nodes under my clavicles and running up my neck.  The PET scan shows metastasized nodules in my lungs, confirmed by the February 5th lung biopsy procedure. 


I first noticed pain back in June, the night before my brother's wedding.  At that time, the ER incorrectly determined I had a fluke episode of pleurisy; an inflammation of the lung lining. Later, by September, a dull ache in my throat and chest became chronic.  I saw my primary doc and specialists multiple times between September and December - all of them sent me home with orders to take ibuprofen and rest.  With increasing fatigue and pain, and a strange new insomnia coupled with 12 to 15 hour stints of sleeping, I knew something was wrong with me, but I didn't know what. Finally, after two trips to the ER in less than 2 weeks, I threw a fit in front of my primary doctor, begging her to run more scans and tests. She finally ordered a CT scan. Within 2 hours of the scan, she called to say there was a giant mass and sent an urgent referral to pulmonology, who sent an urgent referral to the thoracic surgeon, who sent an urgent referral to the radiologist, oncologist...etc, etc. etc. Here we are today. 


So now we know I have cancer. We know I'm going in for ABVD chemo every other Tuesday for the next six months. Just like that my life is taking a hard left. I'm lucky to have the giant support network around me. I'll need you over the next six months.