This is just the beginning

Well here goes something... due to the overwhelming pressure from outside voices I have begun blogging. It's a weird feeling and as I tried to go to sleep last night, fighting off that same feeling I would have as a child on the night before the first day of school, I couldn't help but think "what in the world will I write about?"

By blogging, I know I can keep friends and family posted on the health of "the hubby." Let's just get this out of the way.... "The hubby" as I'll refer to my husband of 27 years (the end of this month) was just recently diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease. Hodgkins Disease is a form of blood cancer which attacks the Lymph nodes and in his case the sinuses. We've been told many times in the past few weeks that if one would care to choose the kind of cancer they could have, they'd choose Hodgkins. Because Hodgkins can be cured. Hubby has 'Lympocite Rich." Probably the only time in our lives we can say "we're rich!" The Radiologist told me what Lympocite Rich meant the other day, but all I can remember at this time of the morning is it's a good thing. Wait... let me back up just a tad. Right around the first of June Hubby went back to the doctor for a chronic sinus infection (he has 4 or 5 a year, every year as long as I've known him) but this time he insisted he wanted to see an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist. His voice had become very nasal and he was having a lot of trouble blowing his nose... VERY stopped up, but a constant runny nose. His GP was concerned with the right side of his neck.... hmmm.

The ENT examined him and was also concerned with his neck and began talking about Lymphoma! Holy Kleenex Boxes! He was just here for what felt like a floating sea sponge in the back of his sinuses. Long story short (let me warn you right now... none of my stories are short, take a seat...) they do a MRI and several CT scans. The right side Lymph nodes are enlarged and there is an egg sized mass in his sinus cavitiy just behind his eyes. The mass is smooth and doesn't have any "feelers" and doesn't look to be attached to anything, this is why it probably feels like it's floating around and causes him trouble when he tries to blow his nose, it becomes a sort of cork and blocks the passages. It also causes him trouble when he lies down to sleep, so he sleeps sitting up a lot.

Shortly after this he has a needle biopsy on the Lymph node, that didn't really give them the proof they wanted so, next he was to go in under a local and have an 'open biopsy.' But as he's waiting with the Anesthesiologist they decide to biopsy the 'Tuma' (that's hubby's impression of Arnold), so OK, let's go for it. Next thing we know he's going through all the tests and they are talking Chemo and Radiation.

This past week we went to see the Radiologist, Hubby really didn't want me to go, but I'm sure there are other things that he'd rather I didn't do.... like go to Ikea. I learned a lot at the Radiologist visit... I was glad I went. I learned that the whole process of the treatment will probably only last about 6 months! Isn't that incredible? He could be well in 6 months!

Yesterday he had his PET scan done, as far as I can tell it involves some radioactive sugar-water and an Xray to see what is eating the sugar. He also had more CT scans. Today he's gone in at 5:30 to have a bone marrow test done. I also learned that this test is a new standard in cancer treatment.... everyone gets it. Welcome to the party. I was told I wasn't needed at these tests so I'm staying home... blogging on the deck at 5:30ish, swatting the moths and bugs away from the computer screen.

So there you have it, just one chapter in my little saga. Coming soon.... "The Kids, and their antics," "My trip," "My Hobby," "My Job." And pictures, just as soon as I figure out how to down load them....

Are you sure you want to stay tuned for this crazy Sit-Com? If so, pull up a ratty deck chair, I'll share my fan with you, cuz it can get pretty hot out here.