A Constant Reminder

 My cancer journey began in 2007 and in 2008  I began having chemo treatments for non-Hodgkin's  Lymphoma (SLL/CLL) and in 2012 and probably a direct result of my treatment for Lymphoma, I contacted Melanoma (bottom of left foot) and in 2017 found that it had spread to my groin.  

After the fact, my Oncologist informed me that both my Melanoma as well as my Lymphoma had turned aggressive and that he was not sure that he would be able to stop or slow down the process.  It was almost like a HAIL MARY that he combined radiation treatments with Opdivo infusions while maintaining my daily Imbruvica pills.  The Cancer Team at UT Medical was not sure that he was doing the right course of action, but he stood his ground.

AMAZINGLY...  he proved to be right...

I also remember listening to the Surgical Oncologist who had removed the melanoma from my foot who told me that "I WAS LIVING ON BORROWED TIME," and that it was too dangerous to remove the cancer from my groin...  and, that the cancer was all over my body.

TODAY, both cancers are under control...  and every time I feel around my groin area, the dead cancer tissue is still there and is a constant reminder of what I went through.  These lumps are no longer worrisome but at one point-in-time they were.  I will live with these lumps for the rest of my life.