Letter from Tami
(printed by permission 11/3/02)
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What a wonderful testimony you have. I too am a survivor of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, healed by the grace of God! I was diagnosed at the age of 27. I was recovering in the hospital from a lumbar laminectomy when I developed excruciating abdominal pain. After an ultrasound and then surgery to remove a small section of my bowel the diagnosis was complete. After a CT scan and bone marrow biopsy I was informed that I had stage IV large cell. It was interesting that I had had 2 surgeries in a week with general anesthesia and had a mass the size of a grapefruit in my chest as well as an enlarged heart. Who would check for such a thing in a healthy 27 year old. I was a baby Christian at the time and I found a strength in the Lord that was totally incredible. I had two small children and death was not an option. Things were pretty touchy for a while, chemo was started right away and I developed a bowel obstruction s/p abd. surgery. Six weeks after my back surgery I went home from the hospital. I went through 5 more months of chemo, with the exact same meds as you had. Thank God for good Dr.'s and chemo. I too lost my hair (I think that was one of the most traumatic things for me). I have been cancer free for 11 years!!!!! I even had another child after they said I would not be able to. He is 9. What a perfect gift he was after a year of so much pain. Thank you for sharing your story and be blessed! Tami Salinas - tssalinas@msn.com |