How did I find out I have caner- well, glad you asked

My friend Andrew asked me over my first hair cut/guys night, "how did you even know to check if you had cancer?"

Well this is how I found out.

Mid summer July 2012, I noticed a swollen lump on the right side of my neck. I had thought it was a pulled muscle, as I get those frequently.  I waited a couple of weeks- it wasn't sore, and the swelling hadn't gone down.  It was a lump the size of about 1.75" on the long side, and .75" on the wide side- right on the middle of my neck on the right side.

After that I thought it was a swollen gland, the last time I had been sick (hardly ever sick) was in April- so I had thought perhaps it was a regular swollen gland from an illness way back when.  Which meant the swelling should go down in 4-6 weeks.  

Come late August- no reduction in swelling.  I had no other symptoms other than the swelling. So I made an appointment with my fantastic primary care physician, he wanted me to see a specialist, otolaryngologist (AKA Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor) to see what was up.  By the time I saw him, the primary swelling mass had started to shrink... and 5 more smaller spots around it started to swell up as well.

I went on vacation to California for a few days, followed up by jury duty for a week.  Yay me.  We also let a crack dealer go, because the state didn't have enough evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, however we were all pretty sure he was guilty.

Early mid-September, my Otolaryngologist had me get a CT scan of my neck.  It took one week to get the the results, which were inconclusive.  So- fine needle aspiration... that was not an enjoyable experience.  The results came back a week later, inconclusive.  However, a serious form of cancer was ruled out (along with anything viral), as there were not traces of cells from other parts of my body present.

Early October, I had to have a Lymph Node Biopsy of the swollen glands.  It took about 5 days for the results to come back- which were positive for Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  My initial feeling was relief if you can believe it, it was finally the first conclusive diagnosis of anything for the last 3 months.I had prepared myself for basically any diagnosis- which of all the cancers it could have been- that's the one to get, as the cure rate is about 90% given my age and what I guessed/hoped my stage was at.

So long Otolaryngologist, hello Oncologist, which is basically a cancer specialist.  My particular doctor (who I refer to as my "doctor" in all of my posts.), is specifically a lymphoma specialist. Newly Diagnosed: If you happen to live in a large city, particularly on one of the coasts (but not always)- you should have a great deal of resources to treat your disease.  Although, if you live in a smaller city/town, or rural area- there's a strong chance your  oncologist will have only seen 1-2 cases of Hodgkin's Lymphoma in their career, and you maybe the first.  It's not *that* common of cancer, but don't fret- it's one of the most curable cancers, and you will most certainly get the same treatment as most hospitals operate generally the same protocols for treatment of Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

I had to get a PET Scan, so my new doctor could stage my cancer.

I saw my Oncologist about 4 days after my diagnosis, who was fantastic.  I got my estimated stage, which was IIA.  Meaning, it was in 2 lymph regions on one side of the diaphragm, and didn't seem to be in any organs, and I didn't have any of the "classic" symptoms   If you ever get a PET scan- totally ask to see it, it's pretty amazing to see the inside of your body with a mouse wheel scroll.  Hooray for science!  Mine was stage II instead of Stage I- because it was in two lymph regions in my body, specifically in my neck on the right side (where most of the activity was) and in my chest, in between my heart and lungs, which had a lot of activity but was just starting to happen- Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a notoriously slow growing cancer- and highly treatable. So to get a "final" stage, I had to get a bone marrow biopsy, JUST to make sure the cancer wasn't in my bone marrow.  My Doc was pretty sure it wasn't, but pretty much everyone will get this- and if they give you a choice to have meds during the biopsy- DO IT.  As a old friend of mine who is a nurse says "we call those the Jedi drugs, we just wave our hands and say 'you will not remember this.'"

Mid October: I also got my medical port "installed" same day, because I have terrible veins.  It's become a running joke with any nurse I have about how terrible my veins are when they have to do a blood draw.  Newly Diagnosed: I cannot stress enough to get a port if your insurance/money/credit card will allow it.

The results of my biopsy came back- free and clear.  I was typical Hodgkin's Lymphoma, AKA Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin's Lymphoma Stage IIA.

Start of November, which was 2 weeks after my port/bone biopsy,  I started chemotherapy.  And one month later- I've finished 1/4 of my scheduled treatments, and have been responding well to treatment so far, and my 2" swollen lymph node on my neck is virtually non-existent.

I have about 4 or 5 pet charities I donate to regularly,  one of the things that will now be part of my "money I donate to charity" is lymphoma research, and cancer research in general. Specifically: the Lymhopma and Leukemia Society, whose budget comprises about 80% toward research grants.  As a weird side note: I "work" in medical research as a day job, and really- funding is everything.  In a country that prefers to build multiple $5 billion (each) dollar aircraft carriers simultaneously (because you know- we need a fleet of 12), and $1.8 BILLION was spent on the presidential election by both candidates- you know, so they can robo-call you at 6:00 PM, but only $250 million on cancer research last year (talk about stupid priorities, and no- it's not "communist" to spend money on citizens well being), they could use your donations.

Also: cat.

New "cat box"... they fight over the privilege of squatting in it.