My — Has Cancer

Source: http://www.f-covers.com/cover/non-hodgkin-lymphoma-awareness-facebook-cover-timeline-banner-for-fb.jpg

Hey, y'all. I haven't posted here for three weeks because I had some big news three and a half weeks ago. The person doesn't want their identity disclosed online at all, so I'm respecting their privacy. However, I will let you know what's going on regardless hence the blank. Someone in my family of origin has cancer--specifically a type of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. As bad as the word cancer sounds, the doctors my — has seen remain extremely optimistic that he will beat this cancer. In fact, the word cure has been used, and I am so happy about that. The doctor thinks my — will be done with treatment in about six months–specifically 6 or 8 cycles of the R-CHOP chemotherapy regimen with one every three weeks and his/her first treatment was August 1. Therefore, my — should be done with chemotherapy and in remission by the new year.(:

I've been very emotionally drained from dealing with that for nearly a month now. We went to the emergency room on Saturday, July 22, for soreness (actually a miscommunication where we thought my — was having trouble breathing from chest pain or something of the sort instead of soreness upon taking a deep inhale), which is when blood work and imaging was done that exhibited signs of lymphoma or leukemia. I actually ended up posting a poem I wrote a few weeks before the Wednesday after we found out he/she might have cancer, which is why I did keep up with my posts at least one week during all this, but I have fallen off the weekly posts wagon since, and I thank anyone who's stuck around for being patient and remaining by my side. I know consistency is important to being successful in blogging, and it is important to me to be successful in blogging. I like storytelling and the connections and inspiration/impact/influence storytelling can have on others. I want to connect with people and make a difference, so a successful blog is important to me in at least that sense.

Source: https://www.surveyresearchonline.com/surveys/1931601901/7d9b6769img106.jpg

This week has had some added stress for me that's caused me not to post in time this week. However, I am happy that I was able to push myself to compose this post today, even if it is later than scheduled. I took two PRAXIS II tests this week: General Science Content Knowledge (5435) and Principles of Learning and Teaching for Grades 7-12 (5624) on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Because the science test was multiple choice only, I did receive an unofficial immediate score upon completing the test, which was 168 and passing in the state of Louisiana (required 159 for test code 5435)!!!!! On the other hand, the Principles of Learning and Teaching test includes four constructed response questions, so I have to wait for my results. My official scores will be available on the evenings of 9/8/2017 (5435) and 9/15/2017 (5624). So dealing with that for the past two days has distracted me from blogging.


Maybe it's a cheat or a cop out to post a simple three-and-a-half-paragraph update after missing two blog posts, but I'm doing it! Thanks again for your patience and understanding, and thank you for reading!!