Talk Cancer

Question:

I have received several emails and all were most welcome.  While most did not offer hope for immediate cure, there was encouragement from all.  I think I need to know the negatives as well as the positives in order to prepare for the long haul….. so, if any of you have any thoughts or experiences that remotely fit my ordeal please send them to me.  Angela is holding up well with her treatments thus far.  She has missed some of her classes at the university next door to her oncologist and treatment center.  Seems her professors are understanding and are working with her on the absences.  It was her oncologist’s idea for her to continue school during the treatment period.  I can detect a loss of interest in her studies on her part but what the heck, it does provide something to think about other than what ails her.  Thanks for listening and sharing. LinC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In November we learned our adorable 20 year old daughter has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  We were not believing our ears when the doctor informed us of the biopsy reading from the pathologist.  She is otherwise so healthy and a senior in college.  She will be having her 4th chemo treatment next week and the oncologist has told us that he will be doing another cat scan at about the same time and therefore will be estimating how much additional treatment she will require.  Her tumors are limited to the chest area and he projected at the beginning that the 6 to 8 chemo treatments he was planning would be 60 – 70% effective in clearing her of this dreadful disorder. I have been most anxious to learn all I can about lymphoma and although I have learned of several in my area who have had it, I find only one or two that have been clear for more than a few years.  Does anyone know of cases at about her age that had a long term cure?  Does the 60-70% projection by her oncologist sound reasonable?  While I am looking for some encouragement, I am prepared to learn of the things I may encounter as I journey down this uncertain path.  Thanks for postings or email. LinC

Response:

In November we learned our adorable 20 year old daughter has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  We were not believing our ears when the doctor informed us of the biopsy reading from the pathologist.  She is otherwise so healthy and a senior in college.  She will be having her 4th chemo treatment next week and the oncologist has told us that he will be doing another cat scan at about the same time and therefore will be estimating how much additional treatment she will require.  Her tumors are limited to the chest area and he projected at the beginning that the 6 to 8 chemo treatments he was planning would be 60 – 70% effective in clearing her of this dreadful disorder. I have been most anxious to learn all I can about lymphoma and although I have learned of several in my area who have had it, I find only one or two that have been clear for more than a few years.  Does anyone know of cases at about her age that had a long term cure?  Does the 60-70% projection by her oncologist sound reasonable?  While I am looking for some encouragement, I am prepared to learn of the things I may encounter as I journey down this uncertain path.  Thanks for postings or email. LinC

Response:

Hi, Lin, my heart goes out to you and your family in dealing with this unpleasantness.  I dealt with acute leukemia last year and found a lot of information and support from www.acor.org .  The list you are interested in is at http://listserv.acor.org/archives/nhl.html .  Find as many survivors as you can, it’s a great positive influence.  God bless you!  jessica alexander.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In November we learned our adorable 20 year old daughter has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  We were not believing our ears when the doctor informed us of the biopsy reading from the pathologist.  She is otherwise so healthy and a senior in college.  She will be having her 4th chemo treatment next week and the oncologist has told us that he will be doing another cat scan at about the same time and therefore will be estimating how much additional treatment she will require.  Her tumors are limited to the chest area and he projected at the beginning that the 6 to 8 chemo treatments he was planning would be 60 – 70% effective in clearing her of this dreadful disorder. I have been most anxious to learn all I can about lymphoma and although I have learned of several in my area who have had it, I find only one or two that have been clear for more than a few years.  Does anyone know of cases at about her age that had a long term cure?  Does the 60-70% projection by her oncologist sound reasonable?  While I am looking for some encouragement, I am prepared to learn of the things I may encounter as I journey down this uncertain path.  Thanks for postings or email. LinC

Response: