In 2007, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's "B" Cell Lymphoma which is also referred to as SLL (Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma) and quite interestingly is treated the same way and considered to the be companion of CLL or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Leukemia starts in the blood while Lymphoma starts in the lymph nodes... it is also widely believed that SLL can turn into CLL at some point in time.
In 2012, I was diagnosed with braf negative acral lentiginous Melanoma in the foot which was surgically removed and later moved to the groin and then to the neck. It is entirely possible that my Melanoma was contracted because of the drugs I was taking for my Lymphoma.
Over the past 13 years (2021 begins my 14th year) I have received:
- 150+ chemo infusions
- 60+ Hemoglobulin infusions
- two surgeries
- 6 radiation treatments
- 20+ CT Scans
- 20+ PET Scans
- 2 MRI's
- Immunotherapy
In 2009/2010, I experienced a heart attack and underwent 3 heart surgeries to install stints rather than enduring a triple bypass.
For the rest of my life, I will have:
- monthly chemo infusions
- daily immunotherapy pills
- 2 CT scans a year
- 2 PET scans a year
- 4 full body scans by a Dermatologist
- quarterly visits to a Cardiologist
- dealing with constant fatigue and nausea
- dealing with intermittent night sweats
- monthly hemoglobulin infusions
- constant anemia
- on-going anxiety attacks
- a non-existent immune system
- susceptibility to other diseases
- the anxiety of my cancers turning aggressive
And... while there may not be that much to report from one day to the day, the items listed above have a direct and cumulative effect/affect on one's state-of-mind which causes sporadic depression... to mention this every day or even every week or monthly seems kind of REDUNDANT to say the least... but, let me assure you that having cancer, especially the kind that cannot be cured, is NOT FUN AT ALL.
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