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I Have Cancer

It’s not clickbait, friends. It is not a bad dream I will wake up from. This is my actual life right now.

I have been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system. 

I am including a video that I saved from my Instagram story, where I explain everything.

I have been sick for many months, and my symptoms seemed sort of vague and generic.

What are symptoms of Hodgkins Lymphoma?

I am including this as a PSA, in case anybody out there reading this needs to go get checked. I had most of these, except for a few.

  • Shortness of breath ✅
  • Dry cough✅
  • Night sweats ✅(only recently)
  • Itching ✅
  • Strange sensations in the center of my chest – not pain, just pressure that would come and go. Plus a spasming-like feeling that would also come and go. ✅
  • Chest pain (none for me)
  • Fatigue✅✅✅
  • Fever (none for me)
  • Chills (none for me)
  • Decreased appetite ✅
  • Unexplained weight loss ✅

Having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that you have cancer. But I would encourage you to get checked out by your doctor.

Getting Diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma

I went to see my doctor in August. I was having breathing issues, plus a horrible cough and fatigue. The breathing issues started out very mild, almost unnoticeable at first, but they had gotten progressively worse.

She treated me for allergies, asthma and acid reflux…all while ordering some extra tests: a chest X-ray and and echo to check my heart.

My symptoms that got nearly unbearable by the first week of September. I somehow drug myself to my sweet son’s 6th birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese.

I felt horrible, though. My breathing was extremely labored, I had an awful cough, and I felt just awful. That was a hard day. I didn’t look sick on the outside, though, and nobody knew anything was going on.

The chest x-ray is what actually clued my doctor in to what was going on. She ordered a CT scan to get a better look, and she called me in to her office on Monday September 10 to discuss the results.

That day was the first day I heard that I likely had some type of lymphoma. Nobody was more shocked than me.

Biopsy surgery was scheduled very quickly. Thankfully, they surgeon was also to removed a large amount of fluid from my lungs, which has eased my symptoms significantly.

The biopsy confirmed what I was initially told – that I have Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Processing a Cancer Diagnosis

Processing both the emotions and the practical aspects of this has been very difficult. Up until two weeks ago I had never had any type of surgery, no medical issues, etc. I have never even been on prescription medication, other than occasional antibiotics for a sinus infection.

My mom has been staying with us for a month, which I am so thankful for. I have no earthly idea how I would survived the last month without her. Practical chores and caring for my children seem very overwhelming right now.

It is very, very strange to suddenly be “that girl who has cancer.” I never saw this coming. I am so careful about my food choices and the types of products we use in our home…and life choices in general.

Processing that I am actually going to be going through chemotherapy has been tough. I have some fears coming up around that, but ultimately I know there are very good outcomes with treatment for this type of cancer. It typically responds very well to treatment, and for that I am so thankful.

Getting Back to Living After a Cancer Diagnosis

I am craving normal things more than ever. Playing with my kids.

Going on dates with my husband.

Testing recipes and photographing the food to make it look beautiful. Writing. Hanging with friends. Going to choir. Meeting friends for lunch. Walking outside. Simple things. I cannot wait to get back to those things!

Life doesn’t stop when you suddenly find yourself in a health crisis. Things still break around the house. Laundry still appears. Kids’ school activities keep moving forward. Birthday parties happen. I find some comfort in that, oddly enough.

I don’t know what will happen or how I will feel once I begin treatment. I am hopeful that I will tolerate treatment well.

I intend to keep living “normal life” as much as possible, laughing as much as possible and finding things to enjoy and be thankful for. Even in the midst of this very hard thing that I am dealing with.

I can do hard things, though. I am strong. I am determined. I am loved. I am supported. I am covered in prayer.

Thank you to all the love and support you have sent my way already – from those of you who already know. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have no idea how loved and supported you have made me feel.

 

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Comments

  1. Stacey C says

    You and your family are in my prayers. Be encouraged. God will not put more on you than you can handle. A true living testimony will come from this trial and test. yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.romans 8:37. Peace and blessings always.

    Reply

  2. Kathy says

    Marjorie, I am so sad that you and your family have to go thru this hard and scary time.
    Thankfully your KIND OF Cancer does have a very successful outcome, and we all will continue to pray for you during this difficult time. AND REMEMBER… fIGHT LIKE A GIRL!!! ((hUGS))

    Reply

  3. Kelley Midkiff says

    hi there. I’ve been following your blog for several months now and just saw the email containing your diagnosis of cancer. I am so sorry! What a shock this must be to you and your family. However, I just want to encourage you that while you walk THROUGH this valley, you are not alone; you have a loving Shepherd that is right beside you — and He is your Healer! I have a list of healing scriptures that I can quickly send to you if you would like; God’s Word is powerful and so faith building in our scary times. Just email me and I’ll send them your way. Also, I live in Birmingham (Hoover area) and would love to help in any way that you need (prayer support, running errands, meals, or just a safe, listening ear).
    God is your refuge and strength, a ever-present help in times of trouble (Ps 46.1)

    Reply

    • Eileen c. says

      Kelley,
      I just had to respond to your post because it touched my heart so deeply. When I read your post the very essence of the words shined brightly your love for Jesus Christ and His light shines brightly within you. (this post will not letting me capitalize Jesus Christ or His, it is not my doing. Please know that I do take reverence in his name.)
      You have such a gentle, compassionate and loving heart, to offer your time, yourself and especially offering wonderful Scriptures to uplift her.
      Also, Amen! In what you stated that know matter what circumstance we go through in life, we are never alone! God is always with us and will never leave us!
      God bless you!
      Eileen c.

      Reply

  4. Heather says

    This cut through my heart this morning. Please know that I will be praying for you and your family. May God heal you and strengthen your family during this time. I will be praying for peace and wisdom for you all and your doctors. In Christ’s holy name..

    Reply

  5. Mame Johnston says

    Marjorie, God gives us the valleys so that we can appreciate the mountaintops. Praying for you and your sweet family during this trying time.

    Love in Christ,
    Mame

    Reply

  6. Robyn says

    I just wanted to tell you that I will be praying for you and your family. I had ovarian cancer about 25 years ago and had chemo with it. It is a struggle but just think of your family and what a joy they are to
    have in your life. My mom was my rock through the whole process. I have two grown kids now and they are the joys of my life. I will tell my mom about you and have her and her prayer group pray for you. That lady prays every day and she will pray for you as well. I am so sorry you got this diagnosis, stay strong and let your family do whatever they can for you.

    Reply

  7. Kim Ross says

    Prayers are with you for strength and understanding. I wanted to share with you our families story – My husband was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma almost 19 years ago. We had just celebrated our one year wedding anniversary and he was celebrating his 24th birthday. It is so scary to hear you have cancer. We didn’t have children at the time and were told we may not be able to conceive and were given 2 weeks to freeze as much sperm as we could. He went through Chemo and radiation. I am going to tell you and your husband to lean on each other – accept help. you will make it though this! You are strong!

    Now so many years later I know how it changed out us and the blessings that came out of it. We approach life differently. We appreciate each day because we truly know that life can truly change in an instant. Our family approaches life differently because of Cancer. We now have 2 boys (13 & 11) that we were able to conceive naturally. We have a unbreakable marriage bond because we went through the hard stuff early. He also had some funny things like his awful dry skin has never returned.

    Hold those near to you close – this journey will create a bond in your family that will change you all forever. God bless -Kim

    Reply

  9. Melissa F. says

    I’m so sorry to hear this, Marjorie. I’M A FAIRLY NEW READER OF YOUR BLOG — DISCOVERED YOU THROUGH A SEARCH FOR frozen chicken breasts in the Instant pot. a cancer diagnosis is always shocking and completely turns your life upside down. it does make you appreciate the simple things. you and your family will continue to be in my thoughts.

    Reply

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