Today was a victorious day for me!
I went to a training in Loxley, and I was one of the first to arrive. I didn't know anyone else attending the training so I took a seat near the front of the room and hoped someone nice would sit next to me. Soon after a kind-looking lady sat down. We introduced ourselves and made small talk. During the course of our conversatoin she mentioned that she had to call a doctor about her son's blood work. Her 17-year-old son has enlarged lymph nodes in his abdomen, and he has been experiencing a lot of pain. I looked at her and asked if she thought it might be Hodgkin's disease. I brought it up all by myself!!! She said that was a major possibility. So I did it. I told her am a Hodgkin's survivor. She said something like, "you are normal." Then she said that God had brought us together to reassure her. I felt moved to comfort her so I proceeded to tell her how I was diagnosed when I was 17, completed my senior year in high school, and was even drum major in the band. I was honest about having to have my hips replaced because of chemo, but for the most part, I wanted to share how normal my post-cancer life has been. I tried to reassure her that even if her son has Hodgkin's that he can experience many normal teenage things and grow into a truly happy adult. I even gave her my number and told her to call me. Most importantly, I never felt afraid or embarrassed to say any of those things to her. It is the first time in my life that I have talked face-to-face with someone about cancer without feelings of shame and discomfort. This was a big day for me.
My new friend had not received her son's results by the time we left, but she promised to let me know. I hope whatever his condition is that it is easily treated. Regardless of what his diagnosis ultimately is, he helped me in my own battle with myself, and I'm thankful for that.
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