Here We Go

First, I must thank my wife for setting up this blog for me. She has been my biggest supporter and with her help I know I can get through this ordeal. It seems like we've been living this trial for a long time now but it has only been 10 days since I first learned of a mass in my mediastinal space. For those of you who don't know your medical terminology, there was actually a cluster of several masses right under my breastbone and ribs. It is in the space around the heart, lungs, and breathing tube. The doctor strongly suspects that this will turn out to be Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of lymphatic cancer. The masses that showed up in my chest are likely enlarged lymph nodes containing cancerous cells. During these last 10 days, I've felt (among many emotions) shock, uncertainty, calm, and concern for my friends and family. Tara and I feel that we have been prepared to deal with this trial and know that with the support of our wonderful family and friends we'll be just fine. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I'll post updates here so you know where we are at in the diagnosis and treatment process.