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<p align="center">---</p> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" face="Tahoma"><b>Your browser does not show frames for some reason.</b></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Tahoma">Our <a href="http://www.ChangeIP.com/ddnsinfo.asp">Dynamic DNS</a> system is flexible.</font></p> <p align="center"><b><font face="Tahoma"><a href="http://cancerincollege.blogspot.com/">http://cancerincollege.blogspot.com/</a></font></b></p> <p align="center">---</p> <p align="center"> </p>  Cancer In College... And I Feel Great!! Notify Blogger about objectionable content. What does this mean? Send As SMSBlogThis! Cancer In College... And I Feel Great!! This blog documents my treatment as I try to balance life and school while being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The purpose of this blog is to keep my family and friends updated as I undergo treatment for this disease. Before we get started, I just want everyone to keep in mind a few things as you read these posts...I Am Faithful:While some may see this as a life altering event, I do not.I firmly believe that this is simply a struggle that has been placed in my life that I must endure.When something like this happens, you really tend to question how much you trust God in your own life. As I sat in bed the first night after being diagnosed I said to myself, "Self, you have cancer. YOU have CANCER!! Shouldn't that scare you?" And I searched my heart. I found no fear, I found no worries, and I found no concerns. Cancer is big, but it is no match for God.I am able to continue in high spirits because deep in my heart I know that God will provide and he will bring me through. He has already blessed me with the greatest care imaginable combined with the family and friends to support me as I continue on this journey.In Conclusion:I don't want anyone to be worried or concerned for me.I'm not worried, heck the doctor's aren't even worried! Therefore you shouldn't be either.The last thing I want to do is scare anyone with my condition.I'm hoping that through this blog I can put everyone's minds at ease as my treatment continues. Tuesday, November 07, 2006 Misleading... So I realized something today... the title of my blog is somewhat misleading.Eventually I'll have Cancer in College... but right now It's Cancer@home.I think for all intensive purposes I'll leave it the way it is! :-)I never realized before how much I take being at home for granted.Everyone's home has that unique smell that makes it their own. Some houses may smell similar, but it doesn't smell like yours. That alone feels theraputic, and I feel everything just melt away the more time I spend here.For instance, I can count on the smell of garlic filling the house by 6 pm every night.If it's not there, something's wrong. God bless the heart of an Italian Mother!!!Speaking of which, its 10 to 6. I think I'll take a walk past the kitchen and see what's happening. posted by Nick Romanelli @ 5:51 PM 2 comments links to this post Monday, November 06, 2006 Home Sweet Home I'm Finally Home!!!I've been released! I write to you now from the comfort of my own couch.Now that all the initial procedures, tests, and medications have been taken care of, the rest of my treatment is completed through the out-patient clinic. Meaning I simply show up for my treatment and go home when I'm done!Depending on what the treatments are, that could range from an hour or two, to an entire day.But nonetheless, I get to spend the nights with my family in my own home!My Upcoming Schedule:-Back to sloan tomorrow. Just for some blood work and other labs. Shouldn't take too long.-Next round of meds is Monday, and again it should hopefully only take an hour or two.What I get to look forward to:The way the medicines work, they kill any rapidly growing cells in your body.While the majority of these cells are the cancer cells, it also includes hair follicles and effects your white blood cells and your ability to fight infection.So by the middle of the next week I should start to see some hair loss and I'll have to be extra careful with the people and things around me, as I will be extremely vulnerable to infections of all types.For now I only have one thing on my mind.It involves a pillow and my own comfy bed.So have a great night... I know I will! posted by Nick Romanelli @ 10:35 PM 0 comments links to this post In The Beginning... So how did this all begin?I believe a timeline is in order!Late JulyI started having random fevers and headaches, nothing constant and nothing major. Doctor believed I was simply getting over a virus.Early SeptemberThose "random fevers" turned into a 10 day non-stop fever fest. Tylenol was my only relief. At this time I sought out a doctor up at school that could help me get this figured out.I found a Dr. Feinstein listed under "Infectious Disease" (Creepy Title, I know). Deep down part of me was hoping this would sort of work out like an episode of House. Unfortunately it was pretty anti-climactic.He ran a myriad of blood tests including mono, mono like diseases, tick diseases and the like. However all the results came back negative and I also perceived my symptoms to be getting better, and so we parted ways. The plan was to check back sometime in October just for due diligence.Most of OctoberThroughout this entire time I was experiencing night sweats. However, in the beginning I discounted it as a symptom. At the time it was pretty warm out, we had yet to reach a house agreement on the A/C, and my multitude of blankets made me believe that it was just me.As the month went on the temperature dropped, the blankets lessened, and even the house had somewhat silently agreed on the A/C temp. Yet I was still sweating!At that point I started taking my temperature through the night.Sure enough, I was having Fevers!!!! The Night Sweats were the fevers breaking on their own.Here I am thinking I got rid of em, while really they became nocturnal.Here's where it gets interesting...Tuesday October 24, 2006Back to good ol' Dr. Feinstein. He agreed that something wasn't right and sent me for blood work and now a cat scan. We agreed I would come back in on thursday when he would have the results of both.Wednesday October 25, 2006 10:00am::Ring::"Hi Nick, This is Sandy from Dr. Feinstein's office. The doctor would like to see you now.""...Right now?""Yes, Right Now."Dr. Feinstein received the report from the CAT Scan, and there were different masses or nodes that were very suspicious of lymphoma. However, at that time there were also a few other options on the table. His suggestion was to immediately seek out an oncologist to get a better diagnosis.After what was probably the worst three-way call with my parents (my poor mother almost had a heart attack) I was on my back to long island to get a better handle on this.Wednesday October 26, 10:00pmWham, Bam Thank You Ma'am!In Twelve hours, I went from being in Poughkeepsie (confused out of my mind) to being admitted into Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center in the city. Immediately they begin running tons of blood work and also sent me for different CAT Scans at 12:30 in the morning.Thursday October 27Thursday was filled with test, after test, after test. I didn't even know if I was coming or going.I was also introduced to way too many doctors.There was the surgical team that was to perform a biopsy to get a better idea of what we're dealing with.There was another team of doctors evaluating me in the case that the biopsy returned a lymphoma.Lastly, there was another team evaluating me in the case that the biospy returned a sarcoma.The amount of care and attention to detail was amazing even from Day 1.Friday October 27, 2006I don't remember much from this day. The biopsy occurred at around 9:30 AM and the general anesthesia kept me pretty loopy for the rest of the day. What I do remember is that we were positive it was lymphoma. However, we didn't know what type.It's like saying I have a Dodge... But I don't know if it's a Viper, a Charger, or possibly even a Spirit!!! (Kudos if you had yourself a chuckle)It would take a few more days to get a definite diagnosis as they examine the samples they took.Sidenote: So where did these samples come from?It turns out that there was a large mass growing in my pelvis.(Yes, mass is keyword for tumor, but mass just sounds better)When you look at an image of your pelvis, you see your bladder take shape li