The Day That Changed My Life - Stage 4 No More

After being diagnosed with pneumonia, Iva had a follow up visit with her doctor merely to be given the all clear so that she may return to her classes. Understandably, Iva was not prepared to here anything more or different about her diagnosis - but there was more to it, much more. It was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and it was at stage 4. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer that affects the lymph tissue. Lymph tissue can be found in the lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system.

Symptoms
**Abdominal pain or swelling, leading to loss of appetite, constipation, nausea, and vomiting
**Coughing or shortness of breath if the cancer affects the thymus gland or lymph nodes in the chest, putting pressure on the windpipe (trachea) or other airways
**Fever and chills that come and go
**Headache, concentration problems, personality changes, or seizures if the cancer affects the brain
**Itching
**Night sweats (soaking the bedsheets and pajamas even though the room temperature is not too hot)
**Weight loss

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - This week in Cancer

This week we learned some big news about two champions who are facing cancer. First we heard the sad news about the former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier is now in hospice care. Mr. Frazier is said to have liver cancer and although there were rumors of his death, reports have not yet confirmed that he has passed away. However, it appears that the former champion is gravely ill.

Another champion is winner Ethan Zohn featured here The Survivor's Real Journey to Survive who is now facing the return of Hodgkins Lymphoma. Ethan Zohn winner of Survivor Africa shared his journey and was well on his road through remission when it all came back.

However, while Ethan is facing Hodgkins Lymphoma head on even participating in the 2011 New York City Marathon, Joe Frazier is in the final stages of cancer. We are keeping them both and their family in our thoughts and prayers.

I would also like to add that singer Andy Williams has shared that he is undergoing treatment for bladder cancer. At 83 years old, Mr. Williams plans to continue to perform in 2012. We love that spirit and we are cheering him on as he undergoes treatment for his cancer.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - The Survivors Real Journey to Survive

Winning Survivor Africa was just a part of the journey. Ethan Zohn had no idea that he would have to focus on surviving a rare form of Hodgkins Lymphoma CD20 positive. His journey begins with letting go of his signature look, the look that he's most famously recognized with - the full head of curly hair. This journey is quite graphic as you see the real rough patches, the treatment/therapies, the financial aspect, the scars and all.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme, cancer changes our lives forever.

The transformation begins....


Hair it goes.......


The Daily Regimen


Sleepless Nights


The Reality Treatment


Can this be me?


Bills, bills, bills.....


Back to Life :-)