Dear Friends and Relatives!

Those of you who know me well, know that I love to travel. I love the unknown, and I like to try new things including new foods, even sampling barbecued silkworms, snake, and grilled water dragonflies! Well we, (Howard and children) are embarking on a new, unplanned, uncharted trip, not knowing exactly where we’re going! Our trusty GPS isn’t going to help for directions, and the diet is not nearly as attractive. It’s kind of a solo trip for me, but with great companions along the way. A brand new adventure.

This morning I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. For sometime I have had swollen lymph glands in my neck, and finally, what has seemed to be a very long waiting game, I was given a diagnosis.
Next week Monday I will have a portion of a lymph gland removed, a complete cat scan, more blood tests etc. Following that, I will begin chemotherapy, a process of one week with two treatments, then two weeks off to recover, then the same process all over again six times. This will continue for about 5 months. This will be given intravenously. We are fortunate in Kitchener to have an outstanding cancer treatment centre. I guess I will not always feel great, and oh yes, I will need my fashionista friends to help me choose a wig! Yikes!

The good news is that the success rate of treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma is very high. I consider this a bump in the road – I have other places to travel to, and friends to see! I am incredibly blessed to have the best husband in the world, and the most amazing children and grandchildren, and last but not least, an army of incredibly supportive relatives and friends. I thank you now for your good wishes and prayers. I have always felt that I have an exceptionally rich life, and I expect that to continue.

With love and gratitude,
Maggie