"TWENTY (or more) QUESTIONS!"
So, even though there had not been a firm diagnosis, it "looked like" Hodgkin's. But was it? Had it come back or had it never completely gone away? Why was it so difficult to diagnose? Is it even cancer? What other kind might it be? We were all full of questions...and apparently the doctors were a bit baffled themselves. After one of Nicole's procedures, pulmonologist Dr. Harris commented that she didn't "usually see lung cancer in people this young." Well...that was heartening.
So, even though there had not been a firm diagnosis, it "looked like" Hodgkin's. But was it? Had it come back or had it never completely gone away? Why was it so difficult to diagnose? Is it even cancer? What other kind might it be? We were all full of questions...and apparently the doctors were a bit baffled themselves. After one of Nicole's procedures, pulmonologist Dr. Harris commented that she didn't "usually see lung cancer in people this young." Well...that was heartening.
Dr. Harris asked Nicole "if it is cancer" would she want to be treated by her previous oncologist. That decision was made years ago when she realized there may have been some negligence in her treatment. Nicole and I looked at each other and I waited for her to answer. "I don't think so," she flatly replied. The doctor then suggested that if she didn't presently have an oncologist, Nicole may want to see the radiation oncologist who treated her after her stem cell transplant. We all really liked Dr. John W. Thomson. He was experienced, thorough, kind and positive. Those are great qualities in any doctor, but especially if you're facing cancer - again! By now it was mid-March and there were other things weighing heavily on Nicole's mind.PIANO TEACHING & MARCH FESTIVALS
March is an especially busy month for a piano teacher with students performing in the Spring festivals. One thing is certain...Nicole loves teaching! But by March, it was about all she could do to drag herself out of bed at 6:00 am each morning to teach her students before school. She would then try to eat something, with no appetite at all - and wonder how she would ever get enough energy to teach again in the afternoon! The large tumor was pressing on the superior vena cava and the lung. No wonder she was exhausted and couldn't breathe! Nicole's students performed at Festival and did beautifully - many winning awards. She really enjoys her wonderful students and their fine, supportive parents!
March was winding down and Nicole would now "look forward" to the countless medical consultations that would finish out March and continue in to April.
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