[Dialogue] What's happening with Janice

[Carol Crow]

Dear Janice,

You are in my thoughts this morning as I ponder the news you have just  
shared.  I'm grateful that the situation was discovered when it was  
and that you are starting treatment pronto.  Please keep us informed  
as you journey this experience.  We are behind you and holding you  
gently as you walk this path.

In caring community,
Carol



On May 11, 2013, at 9:46 AM, Janice Ulangca wrote:

> From Janice Ulangca
>
> Dear ICA friends,
>
> Since January I've experienced increasing tiredness that's become  
> extreme. At first I chalked this up to local projects that were  
> rewarding - and challenged everything I had to give. "Or maybe it's  
> just old age catching up with me!" But something else was going on.
>
> Thursday I saw an oncologist, who went over results of tests with  
> me. Almost a week of tests came in April, after a mammogram followed  
> by a breast biopsy March 28 indicated large B-cell lymphoma cancer.  
> The bone marrow biopsy, PET and CT scans did not indicate widespread  
> cancer, which is a relief. The oncologist says that this is stage 2  
> - more widespread than stage 1, but not as much as stages 3 or 4.
>
> Now I'm due to start chemotherapy Wed. May 22. Each 21 days I'll  
> spend most of the day at Lourdes hospital in Binghamton in the  
> oncology center, receiving chemo and antibodies (don't know what  
> they are yet). June 12, July 3, and July 24 will finish the chemo.  
> Two more sessions with antibodies only on August 14 and September  
> 4.  A good friend went with me Thursday, and we were laughing about  
> this typical fall question: "And how did you spend your summer  
> vacation?!"
>
> People do respond to chemo differently, veterans tell me (and so did  
> the oncologist). Weakness is common - sometimes does not appear  
> until after a few treatments. What - more than I'm already  
> experiencing?! Good grief! (as Charlie Brown would say).
>
> Thoughtful friends have already gone with me to some of the tests  
> and the oncology visit. Their support is wonderful. So gratitude for  
> blessings - especially through people and Spirit - really lift me  
> with caring. And I have to say - such a beautiful time in this part  
> of the world. Walking through the neighborhood, with lilacs in  
> bloom, trees covered with pink or white blossoms, bright yellow  
> forsythia bushes everywhere, flowers in front of many homes, birds  
> singing their hearts out on behalf of the next generation - seems  
> the world is exploding with beauty that points to the Sacred all  
> around us.
>
> Much affection to you,
>
> Janice
>
> Knowing nothing about the lymph nodes before this diagnosis, here's  
> what I found on line - skip unless interested:
> Lymphoma is a disease of a part of the immune system, the lymph  
> nodes. Normally, the lymph nodes serve as "sentries" of our bodies  
> defense against disease. When bacteria or viruses enter the body,  
> the cells of the lymph node divide to fight it. However, sometimes  
> the cells in a lymph node begin to multiply without any reason, and  
> make a tumor ... Lymphoma causes a lump or mass, and may also cause  
> the patient to be tired, weak, prone to infections, or have a fever.
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