What were the signs you had blood cancer?

Overwhelming fatigue, feeling "off." Discovered when a specialist doc printed out blood work results from primary (9 months old) and sprung into action.

I had nothing. I had been running a new business, working 16 hour days, and I ran three miles the day my first of 10 vertebrae collapsed, seven in the first six weeks. I went from feeling strong to being bed ridden at the speed of light. I honestly can’t think of any warning signs.

More than the usual fatigue while running a 10K (6.2 mile) road race and not keeping up with my running partner in the month before. Otherwise I felt OK!

My blood cancer started with some minor discomfort in my stomach and lower back.

It was very hard to pin down or even describe as it would come and go. Then about a month later I was on vacation and having a glass of wine in the backyard with my family.

At about 11PM the next thing I find is really sharp pain just blow my ribs and into my back. Was quite stunning and did not let up. Off I went to the emergency room thinking I am having a heart attack.

After a few scans at 4 AM the emergency room MD tells me in what turns out to be a mistaken diagnosis that I am facing fully metastasized pancreatic cancer.

Two weeks later after a biopsy the cancer was correctly identified as blood cancer -- specifically a fast developing non-Hodgkin Lymphoma that apparently was pressing on several organs.

This was the first time in my life that a cancer diagnosis was a blessing. My oncologist said I was quite fortunate as most of these cancer are discover in more advanced stage.

He was pleased was stage 2 and strong enough to undergo Chemo almost immediately. So far 3 treatments under my belt and things are going in the right direction. 😀

All I can say is it pays to get regular check-ups and speak up when you have something going on. The sooner cancer is discover the better the outcome. Silence Is Not A Cure when it comes to cancer.