Diagnosis

It's cancer after all.

The doctor gives me a written description of the biopsy in Dutch. At the bottom, it says that the WHO classification is Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma. He also, upon request, gives me a copy of the blood test results, which show that I have elevated levels of eosinophils, basophils, and serum LDH.

But now he's done with me. He's referring me now to the oncology/hematology specialist clinic, which is the desk next door. My appointment is for April 7. April 7? That seems such a long way away. I am impatient to get started with treatment. I tell him that my symptoms are worse now; I can sense that the tumor is growing fast. I can barely sleep through the night. He tells me to take painkillers and that he will ask if an earlier appointment is available.

He does ask, and low and behold, there is an appointment at 9am on Monday morning.