My name is Jennifer Linnabary. In May 2009 I was diagnosed Mantle Cell Lymphoma. This came out of nowhere. In the beginning of April, my throat started feeling tight, as if I was wearing a shirt with a collar that was too small. A couple of weeks later I noticed a lump by my thyroid and then felt others on the right side of my neck. I went to see my family doctor the next day. She put me on antibiotics and when that did not reduce the swelling, she sent me to an ENT.
A biopsy was done on 5/8/09. On 5/14/09, I was given the official diagnosis. We met with an Oncologist on 5/19/09. Chemotherapy treatment began on 5/20/09. I underwent four rounds of chemo where I was in the hospital for one week receiving daily chemo then home resting for two. On September 4, 2009 (my 27 Wedding Anniversary) I entered the hospital for one final round of chemo followed by a Stem Cell Transplant (9-10-09).
- I would beat whatever this is
- I would share this battle with everyone.
To insure that everyone stays informed my sister has set up a this website where you can read my story, add your thoughts, and share in this journey with me. The name for this site comes from my college days where my nickname was Ziggy. He is known for his good-natured disposition and so am I. Many of his comics hang in my cubicle along side my turtles. After this website was established, we discovered that Ziggy was named the official spokes-character for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2003. Here is one of my favorite Ziggy quotes that is fitting for my situation:
“You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses”
I hope you check back often and share in this journey with me.
