Lymphoma-sodes: Kristin in Cancerland: The Next Adventure

As I sit here on flight #3987 en route home from my adventures at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, Illinois I'm feeling joy, gratefulness, most important NORMALCY (amidst the waves of nausea from motion sickness thanks to the wonderful world of turbulence). I wasn't given any news I didn't already know; donor stem cell transplant for round three was their reccommendation. We've got one last second opinion happening next week in Omaha, but as I sit here listening to my Ipod randomly shuffle between Weezer, Pete Yorn (be still my heart), Ryan Adams, and the other three thousand plus songs loaded onto it I am relishing how I am feeling; like an iguana basking in the warm afternoon sun.

Don't be deceived; I still have my fleeting moments where I'm scared to the point that I'd gladly crawl out if my own skin but not tonight.

My adventure in Zion was in a word: Ehhhhh. As I've already stated they didn't tell me anything I didn't already hear from the U or Mayo. Where they were absolutely FABULOUS (which reminds me- man do I miss that show) is in their patient care. You name it, they'll get it accomplished for you. What I loved most about CTCA is that Im not alone. Everywhere I looked I realized just how many people are affected by this awful disease but as awful as this sounds it felt good to know I wasn't alone.

I am learning that life with the Big C doesn't mean it's over. I rode to the airport with a 56 year old man with stage four melanoma. While he was very polite, I couldn't help but notice that in his voice the hope was gone, which saddened me. There is always hope: period.

Now, I am not a Saturday-morning-born-again-Jevoah-Witness-Baptist-Protestant-reformed-Catholic-knocking-at-your-door-converter-of-the-lost-flock if you know what I mean. I am proud of the fact that I am a Christian and even prouder of my relationship with our Lord and I am 110% all about encouraging people to find their own personal relationship with the Lord but I'm definitely not one to push my beliefs onto others. When I heard this gentleman speak I couldn't help but be reminded how temporary this world is for us. As humans we are flawed sinners and we are so caught up in the grieving of our loved ones and/or fearing the unknown we forget to remember that our death in this world should be a celebration of our life here and more importantly of our return home where we truly belong; with our Father in Heaven. I will pray for my car riding companion tonight that he find his hope again.

I will also enjoy tonight and my weekend before checking back into Cancerland next week this time via Omaha, Nebraska with a vist with a Dr. James Armitage who has come highly reccommended. I pray the Lord will intercede on my behalf and heal my body but one day at a time for now; but all filled with hope.

Until next time....
Much Love-
Kristin