It's been a little over two years since I moved to Tennessee, and what a time I've had. New home, new views, new adventures, critters wandering through my yard and on the streets. And now, a new chapter in the ongoing saga of living with leukemia and lymphoma.
In November, I discovered a lump. At first, it was so small I wasn't sure whether it was actually a lump or scar tissue—a gift from my bout with pyoderma gangrenosum that resulted from my second chemo cycle. But it grew, and I became more certain of what I was dealing with: another palpable lymphoma tumor.
As per my history, nothing is ever easy.
Getting from "I have a lump" to "here's the treatment plan" has been an exercise in jumping through hoops. My original GP left the practice, and my referral to an oncologist fell through the cracks. The mammogram and ultrasound required records from California—records that arrived incomplete, requiring more phone calls. A medication reaction turned into pneumonia just after Christmas that lasted over a month. With no GP to order a biopsy, I had to be routed through a surgeon first. Each hoop led to another hoop, which led to another.
But I am nothing if not persistent. I felt like a ringmaster, keeping all the acts running.
The biopsy confirmed what I suspected: small non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but with some abnormalities suggesting it may be transforming into something more aggressive. Because of course it is. I have never done anything the "usual" way—why would my cancer be any different? This is my second tumor in the breast, a location that has very little lymphatic tissue to begin with. Rare upon rare. I do love to defy expectations. 😉
And so it begins … again. It feels a bit like leveling up in a video game—time to face the beast again. I can't say I'm looking forward to another round of chemo, but I am looking forward to kicking it to the curb once more.
In the meantime, I have plenty to keep me focused on better things. I've just finished another book that goes off to my agent next week, and I have the rest of the series to write. Interestingly, some of the themes running through the work are courage, hope, and faith. Life has a way of giving us material, doesn't it?
The battle commences. And it's a battle I plan to win.
6 Comments on “Jumping Through Hoops: aka Cancer Rears Its Head”
Liana- in the 40+ years I have known you there has never been anything conventional about you. You have lived Your life on your own terms through sheer will mixed with stubbornness and a penchant for wearing flamboyant hats.
I DO love wearing a good hat. It can set the tone before anyone can tell who’s beneath it. 🙂 At one point or another, every doctor I’ve had has called me their challenging patient. I don’t even have to try. And the stubbornness isn’t going anywhere any time soon. I was born with it.
Liana, I’m so sorry to hear this. I truly hope you heal from this soon!
{{{{{huge hugs}}}}}
You know better than most about jumping through the never-ending hoops. I look at it as having been blessed with 4 years of remission (longest stretch so far), so I’m stronger than before.
Liana you are a warrior, truly an inspiration, my inspiration. Thank you for your transparency and willingness to share a part of your journey. Prayers abounding for complete healing ❤️🩹 from head to toe, from inside to out. And sending love.
Thanks so much. I’ll take all the prayers I can get. And right back at ‘cha on the inspiration. You’ve been on your own journey, that hasn’t been an easy one. I’ll keep sending prayers your direction as well.