Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Monday, April 23, 2012
By: Cathy Meyers

My life was turned upside down 6 months ago when I was told I had cancer. I'm just finishing my sixth round of chemotherapy.

November 19, 2011 a family member noticed I was breathless walking from the kitchen to the living room. November 20, 2011 I woke up with what felt like strep throat but in addition I had very achy muscles on the left side of my neck. November 21, 2011 I had difficulty speaking and singing. November 22, 2011 I found a lump at the base of my neck on the left side. Two days later, my family doctor booked me for blood tests, an ultrasound and CT scan to determine what it was not. December 12, 2011 I had a needle biopsy done. December 16, 2011 I was told I had lymphoma but a surgical biopsy had to be done in order to determine which kind of lymphoma. December 19, 2011 I had my surgical biopsy done. Throughout all this I continued to teach. December 23, 2011 I received an appointment with my oncologist at the Regional Cancer Centre for January 4, 2012. I started chemotherapy on January 13, 2012 not even a full 2 months after my first symptoms. I have been keeping a blog of my journey and it can be found at www.21daystimes6.blogspot.com It describes in detail my journey. 21 Days Times 6 refers to my chemotherapy regime. My chemotherapy cycle is 21 days long and I have to go through 6 cycles of chemotherapy. I will be having my sixth session of chemotherapy three days from now. I will be participating in the Relay For Life as a celebration of finishing my chemotherapy and surviving cancer. It is through the research in the last 15-20 years that breakthroughs have occurred and I am able to survive this lymphoma. 20 years ago, I would have been told to plan my funeral and I would have been given 3 to 6 months to live. I intend to be around for a long time to watch my children graduate from high school and start their careers and own families. I'm too young to give into cancer. I have too much to live for. This is why I'm participating in the Relay For Life this year. I have a team made up of family and friends who have supported me emotionally over the last 6 months. We are going to celebrate on June 1 and have a good time while we raise money so others can survive in the future.