Yes, Virginia, it's just an annual check-up

On March 11, 2011, our world was turned upside down. Mom was told by the Cancer Center "I can't believe it, your results came back positive. You have leukemia. You really stumped me. I can't believe you have leukemia."

You can't believe it? I can't believe it! No one could believe it. But, as we've learned, blood doesn't lie.

It all started Feb. 1 at her annual OB/GYN check-up. It was a blizzard outside, an estimated 10-13 inches of snow was due to fall on Central IL over the next 24 hours. The doctors office had orders to do a regular blood test, but no one in the lab was there... it was a blizzard outside. So, they sent mom over to the lab that they send the blood samples to. They did the blood test and 1 week later they called with her results.

"We have made you an appointment at the Cancer Center" they told her. "Your blood came back irregular and we just want to rule out leukemia."

Now, imagine where your mind wanders after hearing that. Leukemia? Leukemia. I didn't even know adults could get leukemia.

I quickly learned that they can, and they do. There are 4 different types, and different variations within those. Some are fast growing, some are slow growing, but it all sounded scary.

Mom went to the Cancer Center and they did another blood test. The same results came back. Her blood showed all the signs of leukemia, but she had no symptoms to support it. The doctor said he was stumped. He ordered a bone marrow test, just to make sure. On Wed., March 9, we went in to have the bone marrow test. They put her in a "twilight" state and stuck a fat needle in her hip all the way into the bone. Then they took smaller needles and stuck them in the center of the fat needle and gathered their sample. (By the way, this is my own interpretation... the doctor used bigger words when he explained it). "We will have the results in 1 week" they told her. So, with just a band-aid and sore hip, we went home.

I remember thinking we shouldn't get too worked up (yea, right!). We won't know anything for a week. We could make ourselves crazy for that week thinking of what may be, or try and put it out of our mind and go on with day-to-day activity until we know for sure. I think I did a little of both, but it never left my mind.

Seven days ended up being only 2. The Cancer Center called Fri., March 11, and asked that she come in at 2:30 p.m.– they had her results. So, the work-a-holic left work, with full intentions of returning to finish up some loose ends before the weekend, and headed to the Cancer Center.

She sat down and was told by one of the doctors, "I can't believe it, your results came back positive. You have leukemia. You really stumped me. I can't believe you have leukemia." They said "This is a medical emergency. Go home and pack a bag and be at the hospital at 5:00 p.m. We will start chemo immediately."

So, that's how we got here. A simple blood test in a blizzard. We didn't know it at the time, but it was a blessing. In the coming weeks/months I will share what mom is going through, and hopefully she will share some, too.