Many of you had heard the initial story of my diagnosis but Brad and I decided to start this site in order to update you all at once!
In November, I found a lymph node on the left side of my neck that was enlarged. I went to see my awesome primary care doctor and we decided to get an ultrasound in early December. It found 2 mildly enlarged lymph nodes on my neck. A recommendation was made to reimage them a month later as I have no other symptoms. I was on it, and had a repeat ultrasound on January 13. It showed the lymph nodes were still there and there was another one on the right side of my neck. The radiologist recommended a needle biopsy. On January 17, I had a needle biopsy, went to black butte for the weekend to watch Carter play basketball and have an awesome ski day on Monday. Again, I feel totally good! January 23 was my bummer day when Dr.Douglass gave me the news that I have b cell lymphoma. Things moved fast! PET scan the next day and pre-op appointment with ENT to remove the lymph node to further look at the architecture of the node. Appointment with Dr.Langer my oncologist at Compass (yep I work there too, so ironic) the following Wednesday, surgery to remove lymph node Thursday and bone marrow biopsy on Friday. Initially, based on PET scan due to multiple lymph nodes involved Dr.Langer thought it is an aggressive type and needed intensive chemotherapy. We heard from Dr.Langer early the next week that I have stage 3 grade 1-2 follicular lymphoma. Good News! It's low grade! But, still waiting for bone marrow biopsy results. So, now we have an appointment this Friday, Valentine's Day with Dr.Langer to discuss results further and develop a plan. And so we wait...waiting is hard!
Ok, whew, the medical stuff is done. The awesome yet emotional part...Oh, my sweet kiddos...hardest conversation yet. They are strong, brave, yet sad. They have all been sad at times yet hopeful. We have told them we have an army!! If you are reading this YOU are part of our army!!! We have an army of warriors who are praying with us when we can, for us when we can't and walking with us. The kids also know they have their own armies of teachers, friends, counselors, adults that are praying and loving them fiercely! Thank you, for being a part of our army and loving us and my kids so well! The thing is, God is with us, he is holding us all in his hands each day! Through the sadness, hope, peace, comfort, anger, and worry, he is there! And he shows up in all our friends and family who demonstrate his never-ending love for us.
Everyone keeps asking "what can we do"! Man, the helper in me has such a hard time with this. Luckily, all we currently need is PRAYER!!! Join us please in prayer for healing, comfort and mostly that the Lord would show up intensely for my kids during this journey making their faith at such young ages so strong and unwavering!
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