General Population

Hi my friends! One thing about cancer is that it has a way of making you feel cut off from the rest of the world. You may be responding to a side effect of chemo or radiation, or the disease itself has taken your emotions for a spin. In either case, cancer can absorb things in your life that you never thought it would. Let's just say that in treatment for lymphoma. You are aware that the disease has worked its way into a great number of your lymphnodes. Cancer patients rarely feel pain from the actually disease. You may of sorness in the joints from certain chemo drugs, you may feel week from the strange cocktail that they give that it designed to target anything that moves. Like in the case of white blood cells, and hair follicles. Some medicines are much like using a chemical shotgun to clear ants off of the the kitchen table. Not only does it effect the cancer cells, it may also be killing other cells that are crucial to your health. It's a delicate balance my brothers and sisters, but your docs and certainly your nurses are well aware of this trade off. During your treatment you may recieve a white cell booster to rebuild the cells that help to ward off infection. This booster will aid your body in the production of new white blood cells, but in the process you may feel some moderate to severe bone pain, much like a headache, but in all of your major joints. Your doctor may prescribe a narcotic pain reliever to combat these aches, but follow the instructions on the bottle and take it exactly as it's prescribed! Much of the chemo experience can be likened to serving time in a comfortable jail. You sit through the course of your treatment, do your time and occasionaly someone will give you something you can use to make your time pass pleasantly. Like water! Always hydrate before, during and after a cycle, keep your nutrition up and don't let yourself fall into the rabbit hole. That is a place that is hard to climb out of. That is how I referred to the times when I felt too cruddy to eat and drink, and once you go there, it's hard to get out. Everyone has different experiences, but the goal is the same, to free ourselves of the sickness that is holding us captive. So eat, drink, sleep and pray my friends! The stuff that you are going through is only temporary. You will feel good again. You can do it!

Until next time,

God Loves You and so do I.

God bless you all!

Battle Scars

Like many cancer survivors, my personal battle with M.A.L.T Lymphoma lasted for roughly 16 months. When I was first diagnosed, many of the tests and scans that were ordered revealed a more systemic disease than earlier diagnosed.Clearly put, I had been treating the cancer under the guise of several minor ailments. A cough that would not go away, a sinus infection that persisted for months and a full body soreness that I couldn't quite shake. In retrospect, all of these systems indicated a failing immune system. One day as at my pulmonologists office with a suspected fungal infection of the lungs, then after a biopsy uncovered lymphatic tissue throughout both lobes, I found myself slingshot into the world of stage four cancer. One thing that I've noticed about this disease was that never once has it behaved in a civil manner. It just moved right in and drank every last bit of my soda. It was the typical example of a guest from hell. Early on I decided to take this on as a ministy experience and began chemo therapy with the vigor of a fraternity boy. Although the chemo worked well to erase the disease from my body, I believe that the chemical onslaught claimed more of me than just unhealthy cells. To this day I am still trying to piece the puzzle that was once my body, mind and spirit into an intelligable balance. I have an indwelling port that resides just under the skin of my right pectoral muscle, my bones ache more often than not and I find that I really have play close attention to the words that escape from lips, as they are no longer able to exit without first editing them. But on the half full side, my breathing is better, the pain from swollen lymph nodes is gone, and I'm starting to feel pockets of joy as the gap between treatment and survival widens.In future blogs I will briefly touch on specific experiences and hopefully I will gleen some wisdom that may serve you should you ever be faced with this challenge. So remember to check back often and keep a notebook handy should any questions arise. I may not have all of the answers, but I know where you can find them. If you're just starting off on this journey, one thing you can do is to pay close attention to water and nutrition. Stay true and it will serve you well. More later. Until next time remember, God loves you and so do I!

Peace

Markie

Greetings!

Hey everyone! Welcome to the angry tumor blog spot. My name is Mark and I am a cancer survivor. Through this weird journey I have felt the hand of God leading me to help others who are impacted by cancer through prayer, encouragement and a touch of humor. Cancer is a strange monster. It can invade every part of your life, and not just yours, it can impact the lives of your family members, loved ones and friends as well. But I'm here to tell you that you are not alone in your struggle. My prayer for you is that as this blog continues to grow, so will your hope and strength.

Personally, I am here today because of Christ! He sent the right doctors, the right family members and the right friends to speak into my life during this experience. Physically, mentally and spiritually I was at a place that seemed beyond hope, but here I stand today all thanks to God's provision. Do I feel better? Not everyday. Do I think clearer? Not a chance. But do I feel God using me in ways that I never thought possible? Absolutely! And I will continue to forge ahead battered and bruised until I breathe my last breath.

If you are facing cancer please pull up a chair and take a load off. There is hope and healing out there if you just know where to look.

Until we meet again

God Bless You!

Markie