After struggling with some back pain that was interrupting her beauty sleep, Anna visited her primary care doctor on July 26th. She was hoping to get a prescription for antibiotics; she wasn't exactly sure why an infection would be hurting her back (her masters degree in accounting meant she hasn't taken a science class in years), but it had to be some kind of infection. Why else would there also be a swollen lymph node above her collarbone?

Her incredible doctor sent her for a CT scan that very day. He was far more interested in the small lump in her neck than the back pain she was bearing so nobly (some sarcasm for ya, Anna complained to Mark every day about her back). The CT scan showed not one, but several swollen lymph nodes in the middle and left side of her chest and neck. Now that they knew why her back was hurting, they had to find out why: infection, inflammation, or cancer? So off she went for a lymph node biopsy Monday, July 29th, to rule out the worst possibility. After a nail biting few days, she got the news July 31st that was clearly already spoiled for you by the title. Thankfully, she was in her office at work and not at the DMV renewing her car tag when she got the phone call from the doctor. But it was a close call.

Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma. A super treatable cancer, the Cadillac of cancers. Because of the incredible outlook for this diagnosis, Anna also has an incredible outlook. This curve ball is nothing but a minor annoyance that is setting her wedding planning back a bit. Mark has been an incredible help maintaining this positive attitude, and Anna's parent's have been nothing but saints and scholars in how much they have helped and researched. In fact, everyone in Anna and Mark's lives have been nothing but supportive.

That's why it is so important to Anna and Mark to go ahead with the wedding as planned. What better time to celebrate love with everyone they love than during this very weird chapter of their lives? Anna's oncologist remains optimistic about the treatment process that starts August 21st. Sure, the chemo will knock her hair right out, but otherwise they are hoping for minimal symptoms otherwise. Unless Anna's immune system takes an unexpected horrible hit from the 4 rounds of chemo, the wedding should be good to go. Please bear with them through this miniscule possibility of a postponement, and keep them in your prayers as they go through this. Also pray that the new vacuum they received as a wonderful wedding gift can handle the sheer amount of shedding that Anna will put it through as she delays shaving her head as long as she can (Anna already sheds a ton, Mark isn't convinced they will be able to notice a difference). Thank you all so much for your love and support.

Aldridge Gardens