Hope begins in the dark

Heidi Thompson, of the Chicago chapter of the LRF is amazing.
About a week ago she had sent me an email, congratulating the Lymphomathon team for doing so well, and for having a brilliant team name (RIGHT?!), and also asked to hear our story.
When I told her the jist, she responded quickly not only with supportive words but with a handful of resources should we ever need them.
Then, two nights ago, I checked my mail to find a massive envelope from Heidi.
Inside was a letter letting me know that any help I could find through the LRF was at my disposal. She sent 4 pamphlets of information about terminology, facts, patient and family resources. She sent Hope Begins In The Dark by Jamie Reno, which is a book composed of 50 Lymphoma survivor stories, and a small book titled Understanding Hodgkin Lymphoma.
The nicest.

Last night I was presented with our version of Hodgkin support bracelets. Heather's sister (I think it was her sister...my memory is only the worst ever) has made a handful of wonderful and amazing woven bracelets in colors violet (for Hodgkins), lime green (for Lymphoma) and black (for awesome). I'll wear it until it rots off my wrist - at which point I will ask for another.

This week has been rough. Really really rough. The hardest so far.
All the tests and procedures and doctor visits has taken it's toll on Brendan, and he is visibly frustrated. We took a jaunt to the ER last night after Brendan started feeling (and looking) awful.
When the triage nurse asked Brendan if he had any health issues, Brendan glanced to Heather and I before looking back to the nurse and saying "I have Hodgkin Lymphoma". His jaw tightened. My eyes stung. I'd never heard him say it before. I wonder if he'd ever said it out loud.
The negligent and apathetic ER staff that night was the last thing Brendan needed. The added stress is something he shouldn't have to deal with. That ER received a very angry phone call this morning from a violently over-protective sister.

It is getting increasingly hard to find any truth in all the times we were told this was the "good cancer". There's nothing good about this.
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to get cancer.

The Lymphomathon is right around the corner, and the team has SMASHED the team goal of raising $1,000 by raising $1,710!
How great is that?! The actual team is about 26 members strong headed to Montrose Harbor on August 22nd.

We could always use a larger army.