Sunday, September 04, 2011

I Am Still Here

I found out a few days before my 49th birthday (May) that I have Hodgkin's Lymphoma. After trying to figure out what was causing my symptoms, the doctor finally ordered a CT scan and it revealed that I have a mediastinal tumor in my chest. One of the lymph nodes in that area had become cancerous.

I have been undergoing chemotherapy every two weeks since the end of May. I have five more infusions left and then I will have radiation.

This week I finally got a wig. Up until now, I was able to hide my thinning hair with a headband but it has progressed past that point. I will leave you with some pictures that my daughter took of me out in our backyard, yesterday.

Thank you to those of you who have contacted me during my absence. Your kindness means a great deal to me. It is always nice when people think of you, but at this difficult time it has been even more special to me.



28 comments:

Barb said...

I am sorry to hear about your illness and pray that the treatments are working for you. Please keep us posted.

Sharon said...

Julianne, you look beautiful! So glad to see a post from you. I have thought of you often and I knew it very serious from your last post. I will be thinking of you and praying that your treatments go well!

I have been through breast cancer twice with my mom, chemo and radiation. It is very hard, but I know your family is loving and taking care of you just like we did my mom. She is good now and cancer free as you will be too. Take care, stay positive and keep us posted!

Jennifer said...

I am so sorry you are going through a tough time, but I applaud your strength and grace in dealing with it. My thoughts are with you.

Lisa V said...

Sorry to hear the news of your illness. You seem very positive and strong willed and I'm sure your strength will see you through.
You look very pretty in the photos.
Hugs

barbara said...

Dear Julianne - I wish you strength through your illness, with wellness just around the corner.

valerie said...

So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You look lovely in your new hairdo and I wish you the best in your fight for better health. *hugs*

Becky K in OK said...

Beautiful photos of a beautiful lady. Thinking of you often.

carol fun said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers - hope treatments go well for you.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

I will be praying for you!

Nicky said...

I am sorry to hear you are going through a difficult time. You look beautiful in your wig and it looks very natural.
I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery, my thoughts are with you and your family.
Nicky

Rowyn said...

Beautiful photos. Sorry to hear about your illness, sending hugs your way.

Carol said...

I was so happy to read an update from you, Julianne--have been thinking about you over the last few months and I hope the chemo is doing it's job. Your beautiful spirit is still present in the photos and I hope you know I'm sending all good thoughts to you... (((Hugs)))

Annie said...

That's a really love wig and you look lovely wearing it. Keeping you in my thoughts and sending a lot of positive energy your way.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I'm still praying for you sweet Julianne :) You look fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Hello Julianne, I came across your blog today and could not leave without wishing you all the very best!! Your daughter took some beautiful photographs of you. Take care, Ann

Katrina said...

I am so sorry to hear about your illness!!! Prayers the chemo and radiation do their job and you aren't too tired and sick from them. ((((hugs))))) Your DD took such pretty pictures of you, the wig is gorgeous and looks so natural, I wouldn't have known.

Siobhán said...

Julianne, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Hello Julianne. Sending you lots and lots of positive vibes to give you more strenght to fight. You will win, I'm sure.
I'm so glad to hear from you and happy to see your gorgeous pictures.
Big hugs.

Julie said...

Julianne, you look beautiful and that shines out in this very lovely post you have updated us with.

Much love to you and your family, you have been in my thoughts xxx

Coni said...

Happy thoughts and prayers from Hoosierville! Aunt Chrissy and I pray for your speedy recovery and hope that you will wrap yourself up in all of the love being sent your way...be well and take good care of yourself.

With much love,
Coni

Carolyn said...

Oh Julianne, I'm so glad to see a post from you and will definitely be praying for you. :) You look fabulous!! Take care of yourself and know that there are MANY MANY people thinking and praying for you. HUGS...

Berit said...

I have been thinking of you lately, and will keep you in my prayers now that I know what you are going through. You look beautiful and I would never know that the hair you are wearing is not your own.

Get well soon so we can see more of your beautiful PS Santas! :)

Edgar said...

Thinking about you and keeping you in our prayers for a speedy recovery!! Big Hugz!!!

Kay said...

It sounds like you have been through a lot since May. I hope that all the treatments you are going through work successfully so you can work on getting back on track. I cannot imagine how hard these past months have been for you. Try to keep your spirits up. You look great in your recent photos!

Marie said...

I have continued to think of you and pray for you.
Stay strong and keep the faith!
I like your new wig :)

Brigitte said...

I have been thinking of you so often since this post. I do hope that the treatment you had to undergo worked fine.

Milly~ said...

I'm glad to see you back online Julianne. I will add you to my prayers and hope He will give you the strength you need on this journey. My daughter's partner is fighting renal cell carcinoma and it's been a tough journey. Wishing you the best. You're a fighter! xoxo

Danielle said...

I am so sorry to hear you have been going this, but you look great!!! I would never have known you had a wig on had you not said anything. I wish you well and continued recovery.