non-hodgkinsLymphoma

• By tiredinID
• Posted December 1, 2008 at 12:05 pm
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I have also been diagnosed with NHL, but low-grade. The wait-and-see level. However, my sister-in-las has gone through it and I have done some research. Chemo only works the first time. With my sister-in-law, she was in remission only about a year, and the second round of chemo did not work. She then received stem-cell transplant (her own cells). This was two years ago and she is fine so far. NHL is not considered curable, but the stem-cell transplant seems the best option. I was with her for a few weeks in Seattle at the cancer center and met other who had gone through it. Some had to have it done more than once, but it seems a good option.

There are some good websites on the subject. Some researchers are now thinking that the root of cancer is fungal. First, make sure you have no heavy metals in your system, then get on a good anti-fungal program.

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• By Jon1
• Posted December 1, 2008 at 3:38 pm
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Sorry to hear about your NHL. How long ago were you diagnosed ? Do you have to have periodic CT Scan check ups?

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• By tiredinID
• Posted December 3, 2008 at 11:47 am
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I was diagnosed in March of 2008, though I think it's been there for several years. The blood test results that caused my new doctor to send me to a Heamatologist have been the same for some time. I had asked the other doctors about them and they said it was nothing. So why would the lab mark them as out of range if it is nothing?

I had a PET scan and bone marrow biopsy done at the time, and have been seeing the Haematologist every three months since. She does several blood tests each time, asks if I'm losing weight or having night sweats or more tired, and that's it. I'm not sure if she will ask for more scans eventually. I don't really want more radiation than necessary, so I would avoid them if possible.

I'm from Canada since over three years ago, so the cost of health insurance and then the cost of treatment even with insurance is staggering to me.

I had heavy metal testing done, first by hair analysis and then chelation, and was way past the red (danger) zone for lead, and high for several other metals, so I have been undergoing chelation treatment to get rid of that. Nearly done. I'm hoping that will help with the NHL, and I'm trying not to worry about it and enjoy life as best I can, in spite of the tiredness.

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• By Paulette4
• Posted December 4, 2008 at 2:55 pm
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Jon;

At my last check up my Dr used the words, wonderful - miraculous - survival story. Four years ago I started treatment for non-hodgkins lymphoma. The odds were not in my favor as I was in stage 4. The cancer had gone completely through my lymph system and into the bone marrow. Without treatment I had about a year and with treatment about a 20% chance of survival. I did go into remission, and so far the reports have been good.

These past 4 years have not been easy, but I am glad that I had the chemo and survived. They did not do radiation because all of the lymph nodes were involved. However, the chemo alone was enough to put me into remission.

One very important thing is to keep a positive outlook. My Dr. told me they could only do so much and the rest was up to me. I made some drastic changes in my life and elimintated as much stress as possible, we will never be able to be completely stress free.

For once in my life, I just totally took care of me. That first year is really tough to get through, with the chemo and the emotional upheaval. You will want to sleep a lot; and I discovered that was ok. If the dishes and dusting didn't get done - oh well - it would wait until I had rested.

Eating is a challange, but you learn to eat what and when you can. Food completely loses it's flavor, however, you will find things that you can eat. I ate large quanities of fresh fruit and vegetables. I actually craved tomatoes and also drank a great deal of clamato juice. This is perhaps differant for each individual.

They say that if you have a good support system it is better. I went through it alone, so I don't know about that.

Good luck.
Paulette

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• By Jon1
• Posted December 7, 2008 at 3:37 pm
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I have now been officially diagnossed with non-hodglin B cell lymphoma. My oncologist has recommended the"wait and see" treatment. I will be evaluated at the end of three months and then again at the end of another three months etc. I am told that my cancer is stage 2 and is Follicular lymphoma grade 2. I guess that this type is slow growing. I sure hope so.

Anyone had any experiance with this?

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• By brmarasco
• Posted December 9, 2008 at 7:27 am
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Paulette-wondering what state are you from? Where did you get your treatments? My cousin has CLL leukemia and his abdomen and feet are swollen. Would you know anything about this condition. He is now into radiation trying to help tumors in the stomach.

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• By alycemay
• Posted January 10, 2009 at 2:29 pm
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Hi, I had been diagnosed with non Hodgkins stage 4 lymphoma... I had pneumonia in September and my doc noticed my spleen had grown 3 centimeters since last Feb. She sent me to a hematoligist/oncologist who immediately discovered enlarged lymph nodes in my stomach. Lymph node biopsy, cat scan and pet scan, showed activity in the spleen. Since you cant biopsy the spleen with all that blood .. the six lymphnodes were biopsied. The bone marrow biopsy shows 6%, so doc initiated R-Chop Chemo, I initially had a reaction to the Rituxan but was ok, but very tired. Hard getting used to all the rest I needed. Anyway, the 4th Chemo was just last (Jan 7) Thursday...and the one shot of Aranesp I received Thursday was much better than the Nulastra pluc Aranesp! After that shot I was miserable for four days! Anyway, the chemo has just fatiqued me, have not had too many other symptoms, and before the 3rd chemo, pet scan showed spleen was shrinking, which is a very good thing!!!

Blessings to you all,

Best wishes..
Alyce

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• By michellejean61
• Posted January 11, 2009 at 12:00 am
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Jon-I had the same exact non-Hodgkins as you in 2001. I did the CVP treatment-Cytoxin, Vinicristin and Predisone. It is a slow moving cancer. I just had my checkup on Thursday and I am still in remission. When I was first diagnosed I waited for 3 months, then went back for another CT scan and lymphnodes in my abdominal area were cancerous (I had a biopsy done on my stomach). It is one of the easier cancers to treat although not curable. Good luck and if you have any questions I will be happy to answer them if I can!

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• By Jon1
• Posted January 13, 2009 at 12:35 pm
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Thanks for letting me know your good news! What stage were you when the told you you needed Chemo? I haven't been told that I need to be treated yet. I will go back for another CT scan in 3 months.

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• By jron
• Posted April 23, 2009 at 11:30 am
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Hi, i have been going through R-CHOP cemo, now I am going to receive raidioimmunotherapy (zevalin), have any of you had it.

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• By Paulette4
• Posted April 29, 2009 at 12:17 pm
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Dear jron;

When I was staged for non-hodgkins, I was in stage 4 and had a 20% chance of survival. That was 5 years ago. They could not do radiation as the cancer was through out my lymph nodes and into my bone marrow, so I do not know about radiation. The CHOP therapy put me into remission. I was very fortunate to have survived.
The chemo was rather difficult at times and the road has not been easy these past 5 years. But I am in remission, where I hope I stay.
Has your dr. talked with you about attitude? I eliminated as much stress as possible, we will never be able to completely eliminate stress, but at this time you need as little as possible. I also concentrated on myself and totally took care of me. This was important in the overall treatment.
Good luck
Paulette

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