Then (11/2012) ...

He wore a white coat. His lips were moving. Chris was in the patient chair. Harper was 26 weeks in my belly. Cancer. Lymphoma. Oncologist. Wait, what?! In one instant I fell apart. We fell apart. Chemo was scheduled to begin the day after our baby shower.

We were thankful for chemo. There were 15 days that we just knew cancer. No prognosis or treatment or plan. Chemo was our saving grace.

We asked to have Chris' pathology slides reviewed at The National Institute of Health. Our first appointment was 8 hours. Harper kicked me all day. We were happy? Confused? Terrified. At the 8th hour, they changed his diagnosis. Wait what?! Now what. We wanted chemo. We wanted it gone. Whatever it was.

For the last couple of years we have gone to The NIH every few months. They drain Chris' veins, put him in machines, and then call a meeting with us and the world renowned experts we are lucky to have.

Each visit we are given the news that the lumps in Chris' neck have not become cancerous, and that he is free to carry on and return for follow up.  We were lucky. 

Now (8/2014)...

We thank our lucky stars for this medical team especially now that Chris' diagnoses has been confirmed to be more then just something we have to wait and see.  This past Monday, Chris was diagnosed with Large B Cell Type Non Hodgkins Lymphoma with EBV. 

The medical team expects that he will do well, as in hopefully be cured, after 6 rounds of chemotherapy.  He will receive this cocktail every 3 weeks in Bethesda, Maryland.  We will likely spend most of our time at my sister and Bill's home while we are in town the 5-6 days.  Alternatively, we may occationally stay on NIH campus or a hotel.  Harper will be in tow with the exception of this Thursday and Friday when everything begins. 

Please share our story and send us some love in the form of a donation. Those of you that know me, know that I don't, well didn't run.  I am going to keep running and keep fundraising. I never knew what the word cancer would sound like with my best friend in the chair.

I am RUNNING. Let's keep Chris and everyone else affected by Leukemia and Lymphoma healthy!!!!  I have gotten off track with my run for obvious reasons the last week or so, but I will get back to it.  If it turns out that the run is a day that Chris is out of town receiving chemo, I will drive back to do it, or find someone to run in my place.

I am hosting a fundraising event on 9/18 at Novo Salon on Passyunk Avenue.  Stay tuned for details.  And I also plan to create a care page while we are at The NIH this week so close family and friends can follow updates.

What you can do for us is...carpe diem always...live today...fundraise...share this link...entertain Harper every now and again so Chris and I can spend time catching up,...run...cheer...oh my goodness...we will beat this because there is just no other alternative.  Tearfully and gratefully, Melissa