But What Were The Symptoms...?

Because all of this came on so fast and seemingly out of left field many people have asked me about symptoms. I think because I was generally healthy and felt pretty good we were all quite surprised and caused some to wonder about their own bodies.  I know a number of people who on hearing my news went to get either a physical or a lingering problem checked out. (Good!) So if you are not interested in a little Lymphoma 101 (and how it related to me) stop reading now.

Symptoms:
-Swollen painless lymph nodes (lumps) - in your armpits, neck, shoulders, groin. This is the most common symptom and often the ONLY one.
- Weight loss; can occur rapidly and for no reason - 10-15 lbs over a couple of months.
- Fever that is continuous or occurs intermittently over a period of time and doesn't seem related to a chest or urinary infection is a good sign that you should consult a doctor. Fever that is related to node swellings occurs commonly with infections, and many lymphomas are often mistaken for infections at the early stage. Occasionally, in those affected by Hodgkin lymphoma, a characteristic fever called Pel-Ebstein fever occurs.
- Excessive sweating at night. Drenching change your PJ's kind of sweating was how is was described to me
- Itchiness all over your body
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling of weakness and fatigue
- Breathlessness / can be with or without swelling in the face and neck

Finally, as lymphomas can occur in any organ, may give rise to some unusual symptoms as well. A lymphoma in the stomach can cause pain in the abdomen, and a lymphoma in the brain can cause headaches or leg weakness.

How did all this relate to me? Well, it didn't really. But looking back now over the fall of 2011 there may have been a few clues. I had no lumps, certainly did not loose any weight, no fever, no night sweats, no itchiness, no loss of appetite.

I was tired - but what mother of two from September to December isn't? Breathlessness - I remember a couple times thinking to myself over the fall that I really needed to work on my deep breathing as I found myself breathing shallower - it was 'easier' - but nothing that really caused me concern. Looking back the biggest thing for me was a pain that I thought was a reoccurring muscle problem. I had it twice once after playing tennis twice in two days (I am a lefty) and once on vacation in cabo after swimming laps (ok dancing). I thought I had pulled a muscle or ssomething although the location was a bit off. I now know I had irritated the tumour.

I always wondered how people could have 'things' inside them - "World Weekly News woman had watermelon size tumour removed from her butt." - and not know. Well I had one the size of tennis ball (shrinking as I write) and by the doctors accounts being as aggressive as this kind is it was about to go postal on my body. So the lesson from all this - listen to your body, get things checked out.

And most importantly try to find balance in your life so that if something is off you are more in tune to detect it.

Thank you for visiting - for your cards, notes, emails, tulips, soups and POW-ER, Coleman hugs, yummy breakfasts and homemade sauce, encouragement, good wishes, healing thoughts, strength and Kleenex and as always LOVE.