Cancer is not a sentence… It’s a word.

When I was 18 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. A type of cancer that’s “good” to have. I went through treatments of chemo and radiation and beat the HECK out of it!

 I consider that one of my hardest trails. Through that trial, I gained such an AMAZING relationship with new people. Dr. Lawson and all his staff quickly became my second family. To this day I still keep in touch. I was able to become closer to my family and friends and truly see the beauty of this life we are given. 

Once I was done with my treatments I was up and running to Utah. I came down here to go to school. Because of my amazing experience I was given, I decided to head to the medical field to give back the kind of love I was given. I knew I had a weak stomach, so I chose to get a quick 2 year degree in Medical Assisting and test the waters.  Now I am doing my dream job by working with cancer patients.  I look back at that trail I had and see it was such a blessing. It brought me to where I am today. I have a WONDERFUL husband, great job, and healthy life.

Well so I thought. Lately I have been a little under the weather.  Achy body, Low constant fever, and unexplained itchiness of the head. I brushed it off for a while because who doesn't get sick!! Shortly I found a lump under my collar bone and quickly judged it to be a swollen lymph node due to my flu like symptoms. 

It didn't go away. Since I am surrounded by a SEA of doctors I simply asked what could be wrong… and now after many feeling sessions of my sweet lump, labs, and PET scan… it’s showing that my cancer is back. Today I had a Biopsy. They weren't able to remove the right tumor under my collar bone because it was to large. They just took two pieces of it to test the tissue to see what kind of cancer it. ( Most likely it is Hodgkin's Lymphoma) 

Sandy thought it would be nice to take some pictures of how stunning I looked this morning. 

Cancer?  Again? With in 4 years? This must be some kind of mistake. I thought lighting couldn't strike twice in the same spot.  Here I am, looking down a very familiar dark tunnel. I know it well. I remember the smell, the taste of the drugs, the pinches of the needles. It’s all still so fresh. And now I am about to embark once more.  I am not scared of the “what’s it like” because I know. I’m mad. Mr. Cancer you better run and fast, because I have my shoes on tight and I am coming after you.

Welcome round #2 of Hanna vs Cancer.