In July of 2007, while on a family vacation, I discovered 2 lumps on the left side of my neck.  They were big and scary, so I went to the doctor as soon as we got home from vacation.  The lumps were identified as swollen lymph nodes and the testing began.  An initial CT scan showed an enlarged mass in my chest, where the Thymus gland lives.  I was referred to a surgeon for a biopsy.  On Thursday August 2nd, I had surgery and both lymph nodes were removed.  Monday, August 6th at about 6:30 pm, my surgeon called and told me I have Hodgkin’s Disease.  He said he would refer me to an oncologist.

Tuesday morning, his nurse called and said the earliest I could get in to an oncologist in Salina would be August 21st and would that be okay.  I told her I would consult with my family and call her back.  Ten minutes later she called me and said the Tammy Walker Cancer Center had an opening in 2 hours if I could get there.  We consider it a miracle that I was able to get in so quickly.

The oncologist asked me to get some further testing, so he would know for sure the extent of the cancer in my body.  I had a PET scan on Monday, August 13th and a follow-up appointment with the oncologist on Wednesday, August 15th.  Details from this point forward will be in my blog.

I have Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Disease (HD).  This means that there are 2 areas of affected lymph nodes, but they are both above the diaphragm.  There is nothing abnormal below the diaphragm and none of my organs have been affected.  This is good news.  Also good news is that I have had no symptoms of illness outside of the 2 lymph nodes I originally noticed in my neck. 

Hodgkin’s Disease is a very treatable form of cancer.  I have been told by several people, “If you’re going to get cancer, Hodgkin’s Disease is the best kind to have.”  HD is a type of lymphoma, also sometimes called Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  The Lymphoma Research Foundation web-site (www.lymphoma.org) has some great information if you want to do some research.

My treatment regimen will be 8 doses of ABVD chemotherapy administered once every two weeks.  The treatments will be done on an out-patient basis from Salina, KS.  I begin treatment on Thursday, August 23rd. 

This is not something I want to go through.  If I had a choice, of course I would choose to be healthy.  However, I believe that God is in control and He has a perfect plan for my life that requires me to go through this challenge.  Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  I do not understand why I have this, but I know my God will give me the strength I need for each day. 

I am determined to make the most out of this situation.  I will live each day that I am given to the fullest.  I will rely on the joy of the Lord to be my strength.  Proverbs 17:22 says: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”  The doctors have medicine for me, but God is the Great Physician!

Music is also an important part of my life and will continue to be so as I go through chemo treatments.  I believe that God has given me the gift of music, not only for myself, but also to bless those I play for.  My goal is to brighten someone else’s day by sharing with them the gifts God has given me; then my days will be bright too.