I Am A Survivor

I am not sure people know the validity of the word survivor till cancer hits them and their families. Or some other Critical chronic illness.

Years ago my Grandfather also had Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma it was never talked about then. It was so hushed.
As a survivor of the same cancer I have learned that staying quiet is not where its at.Not for me anyways.

One thing I learned is that Blood cancer touches many and talking about it is of the utmost importance. People if I say I have Lymphoma they don't know what it is. I am a woman so I must have ovarian or breast cancer. NOT.

One thing I found out is this cancer affects women its on of the top six cancer. For men its in the top five, as the fifth and for children the leading killer of children in this country.

Amazingly less it touches someone in your family I am betting you heard about leukemia but not lymphoma or much on myeloma either.

When I had my first surgery Sept 29 , 1997. The thought I had a totally different cancer. However when I saw the Oncologist Oct 13, I wasn't shocked as my surgeon told me it was one of three and NHL was one of them. I still remember the day and the punch in the gut. Cancer is like that its like being run down by a speeding train nothing is ever the same. All you can do is take it one day at a time and life goes on cancer in it.

Over the past 11 yrs. I have had my ups and downs treatment, chemo , radiation and immuno-therapy none which were easy. However minus them the odds were not good with stage 4 lymphoma. So it was a just do it situation and that's what we did to get to this point.

Where do I stand today. I stand cancer free and stable. I am really grateful. But its not a cure for me. My lymphoma will come back. One could hope not but with a terminal form I have learned to look at as the chronic form of disease it is. Take a day at time and move on.

One thing I know is as a survivor there are many of us who have been on clinical studies or trials. That's how I got to this point.. That takes money and researchers to do a job and find cures, and better treatments. That's why Light The Night to Support those with Blood Cancer is so very important. Awareness is key.

I for one have seen the changes in medicine in my disease. With my Grandfather and myself so many changes have transformed the way these diseases is treated today. With the help of The Leukemia Lymphoma Society, I firmly believe with their support is one reason I am here today.

So as a Survivor I ask all of you. What would you do if this was your child , your spouse, your sister or brother, a mom ,a dad, a grandchild. or a friend. Would you walk??

As a survivor this my responsibility to fight for those who are starting out and those who can't walk because I can. I will walk till I can't any more.

If I don't talk about it write about and keep silent as people have in the past. Nothing changes. I want change I want a cure so my Kids and Granddaughter never has to deal with this disease.

Please consider supporting me and and my team by clicking on the light The Light the Night Logo on the right.

Any questions leave me a comment.

Thank You.