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March, 2013 --- Regular check up, blood work shown to be “unremarkable”.
July 11th, 2013 --- Mammogram.
July 16th, 2013 --- Call from hospital to return for ultrasound due to enlarged auxiliary lymph node under right arm.
July 18th, 2013 --- Ultrasound – Direct response from Radiologist requesting biopsy of the Lymph Node. Realization that if this was an enlarged lymph node, I might have other enlarged ones as there was a lump under my chin and one under my right ear – that I should talk to my Dr (Physician’s Assistant) about so she could look at the “whole” picture. Made appointment. Saw Dr late in the day, she examined me and agreed that we should get some blood work done.
July 22nd, 2013 --- Dr’s office calls and requests to get the biopsy scheduled.
July 25th, 2013 --- Biopsy.
July 26th, 2013 --- Bloodwork returns with following findings: white blood cells: no infection, mono test showed that I had had the virus, but it was not active, no mono and general cancer screen - elevated.
July 29th, 2013 --- Dr requests a “lady’s” ultrasound to rule out ovarian cancer.
July 31st, 2013 --- Dr calls to deliver the biopsy results – Diagnosis > Follicular Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma NHL – No ovarian cancer. Refers me to see Oncologist.
August 6th, 2013 --- First appt with Oncologist – Explains about the disease, talks about what it means, what the possible treatments might be – believes cancer to be stage 3 Indolent (non-aggressive). Request tests to see if there is cancer in the bone marrow or other vital organs.
August 8th, 2013 --- Bone marrow biopsy to ensure cancer has not gone there.
August 13th, 2013 --- PT scan to ensure cancer has not attached to other organs (liver and spleen).
August 15th, 2013 --- Second appt with Oncologist showed: good blood work. Bone marrow biopsy, showed 10% cancer activity and PT scan showed no other organs affected and lymph node measurements SUV score “densities” were in the 20’s and 30’s on several nodes instead of in the 9-12 range.
Oncologist states that due to the 10% Bone Marrow activity and the densities being that high, he classifies this cancer as Stage IV cancer. Oncologist unsure which NHL this is, could be Indolent (slow growing) or Diffuse (aggressive), the best way to tell would be to do a biopsy on one of those lymph nodes; however, he felt that either way he would treat the cancer the same way.
He recommended I receive the following treatment: R-CHOP (chemo) – 6 treatments – 4-6 hours per treatment- every 3 weeks over 18 weeks
• 70-80% success – Very likely to make the Diffuse (aggressive) B Cell Lymphoma to go away
• However, the nature of this will be lifelong monitoring
• Side Effects: Nausea (can be eliminated with medication), 3 to 5 weeks hair loss, mouth soreness, numbness and tingling in fingers, low blood counts, bruising and bleeding, permanent menopause
• Port for Chemo to be embedded under skin in September
• Requested Heart scan – to ensure heart in good enough condition for the treatment
Unexpected find shows a shadow on the cerebellum about .8 cm – MRI of brain requested.
August 19th, 2013 --- Heart Scan and Brain Scan completed.
August 21st, 2013 --- Heart scan results were perfectly fine, Brain scan to check on the "shadow" reveals "no abnormalities".
September 6th, 2013 --- Second Opinion was at Emory Winship Cancer Center in Atlanta. Stephen and I met with a Doctor Flowers. He was pleasant and gave us a lot of detail about NHL and more clarification on my status. He thought that the current plan we have in place it is what he would layout for many of his clients; however, his passion really is his "work" which is a clinical trial that he is leading. We are not convinced this is a way we would consider going--so plan "A" is in place. Chemo treatment to begin on Tuesday, September 10th. Thank you for your continued prayers. I have peace.
September 9th, 2013-- Port Day - a device was inserted into my chest that can be used to administer chemo drugs, this alleviates the need to do IV's each time and risk damaging veins.
September 10th, 2013--Chemo Session 1 - Began 8:30am - reaction to first drug caused Dr to reduce speed of the drugs - Unable to finish completing the drugs
September 11th, 2013--Chemo Session 1 continued --Completed remaining drugs
September 22nd, 2013--Emergency Room - Temperature elevated slightly. They checked me and while I was there temperature started to go down. They released me. (3.5 hours)
October 1st, 2013--Chemo Session 2
October 22, 2013--Chemo Session 3
October 28, 2013--Two Night hospital stay due to low White Blood Cell Counts, Nausea, fever and Chills
November 12, 2013--Chemo Session 4
November 21, 2013--PET Scan and Brain MRI
November 26, 2013--Test Results reveal "No cancer activity".
November 28, 2013--A VERY Thankful, Thanksgiving!
December 3, 2013--Chemo Session 5 scheduled
December 26, 2013--Final Chemo Session 6 scheduled
Frequently Asked Questions:
What IS Non-Hodgkins-Lymphoma (NHL)? Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymphoid tissue, which includes the lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system.
What Causes NHL? According to many sources the cause of this cancer is unknown. Lymphoma's, however can appear in those with weakened immune systems.
Is NHL treatable? -Yes, it is treatable; however, Doctors do not believe this "blood cancer" is curable. Their goal is remission.
Are you experiencing Pain? - No, not really.
Are you experiencing Nausea? - No, their is a medication that they give with the chemo and in tablet form that seems to alleviate the nausea so far.
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