First things first. Gabbi is walking and running all over the place. I put up the video when she took her first steps but I am not sure if I mentioned how absolutely active she is now. Not only that but she's just started talking like mad. It's like her first words opened the flood gates. She says "mama" and "dada" of course, but she calls her sister Mikayla (Mikki) "Bitti, or Bikki" which is adorable. She was saying Lexi as "wesi" but hasn't been doing it as much lately. She sometimes blurts things out that sound like sentences but won't do it again so we aren't sure. She sticks out her tongue and pants when I mention our dog Sasha. That's our beautiful Husky. Gabriella is in LOVE with her. haha Regardless seriously Gabbi is just growing and progressing like a little weed. I just love watching her learn and explore. She loves pushing doors closed if they are cracked. It's proven to be bad on one occasion when she pinched a finger. No harm done but it was scary for her.
Now onto my new friend. In the past few weeks I received an e-mail from a lady who was also pregnant with Hodgkin's Disease. I have met a few ladies who were pregnant with cancer, even some that had Hodgkin's in particular. I think a lot of attention is put on breast cancer, as it should be, but really....can I ask how much any of my readers knew of Hodgkin's Disease before my blog? Not Non-Hodgkin's which by the way is different. There are around 100,000 cases of Non-Hodgkin's per year in the USA while with Hodgkin's there is only around 8000. It's more common in males and it's most frequent in the 25-35 age group. It drops off then rises again in the late 50's. I learned all this information after being sick and have pulled it 100% from my brain. I don't have to look it up anymore.
I got off my point though! The woman who e-mailed me is close to my age and her baby girl is celebrating her first birthday this month! I want to wish her little one a happy birthday. This woman was stage 4! (Though I still do not know my stage. I forgot to ask again!) She goes in for a checkup scan in July I believe so my prayers and well wishes are with her.
I just cannot explain, though you would NEVER wish this to happen to anyone, when you find someone who can relate it means the world to you. It's not exactly easy to find someone who has been through it all and I appreciate having someone to share things with. I met another woman as well in the past few months who started the Pregnant With Cancer forum (not related to my blog). The link to that site is www.pregnantwithcancer.com. We are hoping to get some support out there for women going through this. Her little girl is 3 years old. I have two friends on Facebook who went through cancer while pregnant and one on Myspace as well. They are everywhere. I really think it's about time that pregnancy coinciding with cancer was given a little more attention, so women know that chemo can be done safely. There is hope, for BOTH of you.
They do grow up very quickly don't they. I love all the names she's come up with. How cute.
ReplyDeleteAs for your new friend. No one can understand what you really went through like someone that's already walked in the same shoes. I so understand that connection.
Have a terrific day. :)
ehm..so cute!
ReplyDeleteI love when they start talking, and then again when they are able to talk enough to let you know what they are really thinking!
ReplyDeleteThat's neat that you found someone who really understands your entire situation of being pregnant with Hodgkin's Disease! Like you said, not that you want anyone to go through that, but I'm sure it's nice to have someone who can completely relate to your experience.