You see, on June , 8th 2011, Andrea woke up with a lump on her neck. We had thought it was a simple infection so she went to the Doctor, Andrea was put on antibiotics and sent home to get better. After a few rounds of antibiotics , nothing had changed so she was sent for further testing. An ENT specialist took a small sample of the lump in her neck through a needle and sent it away for review. The results came back that she was free from cancer. We were all so relieved, even though there was no answer to what was causing the swollen gland. The same biopsy tests were done 3 more times all resulting in the same answer, its not cancer.
What happens when something looks like cancer,smells like cancer and acts like cancer? The only thing that can happen, more testing. The next test sent us to another Doctor , who removed a node from the back of Andreas nose. I was not allowed to be into the room while the procedure was being done. It felt like we were worlds apart, not a meer 20 feet. By the time 30 minutes had passed I was frantic and fearful of what was going on. I was let back into the day surgery room to sit with my sister and wait for what was to come.
I held her hand as the Doctor came into the room. In a matter of fact deminour he said " You have Lymphoma, I have seen it a million times". Hearing that was like being pummeled with a bag of bricks. Even when you expect it , it's not easy to hear. As shock set in, we stumbled out of the room and went home to deliver the bad news. A million thoughts racing through my mind, her son, her husband, my father, whats is going to happen to her ...... and me? "Oh GOD, Oh GOD , I can't believe this is happening!!"
