Hey hey, I'm up and around. I've finally got some decent sleep the last 2 nights. Since I've gotten off my pain killers, I went into a bit of a withdrawl and couldn't get more then 3 hours of sleep a night for 4-5 days. Now I'm finally getting over that, and my energy is coming back. I feel like doing everything right now, but the doctors say to take it easy for a bit... I'm trying to make the most of the next couple days until I have chemo again on Monday.

I must say, although it is very early into my treaments this whole experience has been eye opening. My whole outlook on life, friends, and church are different and for the better. I used to take such things for granted, but when you get a scare like this, it really gets you thinking there's more to life, than just me and my day-to-day. Everyone has been very supportive and I feel blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people. I've tried to go to church a couple times, but it took a lot out of me, so i'm thankful for the technololgy of recording. I wish this condition upon no one else, but the things you realize when you go through it.... that I wish everyone could experience...

Round 1

Hi, sorry everyone for taking so long to update. I havent been feeling well and im finally mustering up the energy to write a little bit. I had my first chemo treatment this past Monday. it went well and afterwards I even felt better than normal. But the last couple days have not been so great. The pain in my leg has definetly gone down, although the swelling has not changed...yet. I'm pretty tired these days, nauseous and my appetite isn't much. Also received news today that for at least a month, I will have to go to Nursing care every day, to have the dressing on my surgery wound changed. It's not healing as well as the doctors hoped and chemo is definetly slowing down the progress.

Well thats it for now, thanks to everyone again for all your awesome support!!!

Discovery

Hello, welcome to my blog.

First symptoms appeared on July 18, 2009. I noticed my right ankle had swelled up and as evening wore on, the rest of my left leg also began to swell. Lainey drove me to emergency, and there I was told, that it was Cellulitus (a skin infection). I went home with a perscription and picked up antibiodics in the morning. 3 days later, with no improvement, and the development of a lump in my groin, I went back to emergency. There I was given a series of tests and 2 days later, I had my first lymphnode biopsy.

After a 3 week wait, they discovered that the biopsy came back negative, so they proceded to do a second more invasive biopsy and took out 3 enlaraged lymphnodes. After the surgery, I was released from the hospital, but returned that night due to the pain. I stayed for 7 days, while the doctors tried to get it under control.

After undergoing more tests (blood work, ct scans, ultra sounds, and bone marrow extraction) the pathologist confirmed that I indeed had Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Treatment starts Sept 14, 2009.

I will undergo chemotherapy for 6 months, which involves going to Abbotsford Cancer Clinic twice a month for 3 hour sessions.

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Thanks to everyone who has shown their support by way of visits, gifts, cards, food, phone calls, texts, thoughts and prayers.


I will keep you posted. Martin