Hey there...Well I went for a medical check-up and did a CT scan as well..The doc said that i am strongly suspected of lymphoma...Well I would just like to know a few things..If it was chronic how would the doctor treat me?..Is chemotheraphy the worse?..How is it?..Does it hurt and all?...Erm if its not really serious how will I be treated?..The doc said that a surgery is not possible as its very very risky and no doctors will treat this...Please help me someone...I'm really really confused and scared..Thanks a lot

I am sorry to hear about your news. When the doctor says that he suspects lymphoma, what evidence is he going on? A CT scan can reveal tumours or abnormal lymph nodes, but it cannot be used to diagnose lymphoma alone. You will need a biopsy of a suspicious node to determine if indeed you have lymphoma, and to reveal what type it is. If it is confirmed, it will have to be staged. A series of tests are needed to determine how far it has spread and what organs are affected.

Although there are over twenty forms of lymphoma, they fall into three broad categories: Hodgkin's disease, aggressive non-Hodgkin's and indolent non-Hodgkin's. Each have different treatment programmes. Aggressive lymphomas are treated with CHOP chemotherapy followed by radiation to the affected sites. Hodgkin's is treated similarly, although with a different combination of drugs. Treatment for both is immediate following diagnosis. Indolent (or chronic) lymphoma is treated somewhat differently. Unless it is causing symptoms it is often left untreated until such a time that it begins to impair daily activity. Indolent lymphomas sometimes go spontaneously into remission, so chemotherapy is sometimes considered superfluous. If it transforms into an aggressive type, or starts to cause symptoms, it will be treated with chemotherapy. Many people with indolent lymphomas live normal lives for many years without treatment. Surgery for lymphoma is usually resticted to biopsies.

The most important thing to remember is that treatments for lymphomas are among the most effective available for cancers, even if the disease is disseminated.

Hey thanks for the reply..Well its just the CT scan that I did...I am going to do a biopsy soon to determine what is it...If its lymphoma...Other than chemotheraphy...Is it possible to treat it using ONLY drugs?..Well I wont want to undergo chemotheraphy if possible...And it is confirmed that I have a tumour behind my sternum towards the right side and its displacing the left brachiocephalic vein posteriorly...So what do u think could be the worst outcome?

Well and one more thing!..I am currently consulting a "consultant surgeon" ...I am not really sure of which doctor to consult..Should I consult a specialist?..Which type of specialist?..Really need some help here thanks :)

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill the cancer cells. Unless the lymphoma is indolent or localised, you will have to undergo chemotherapy, I'm afraid. I cannot say how it feels, because different people react to it in different ways. It is, however, very effective in treating lymphomas.

You should see a haematologist or an oncologist. These deal with lymphomas.

Well the lymph node on my right shoulder area seemed to get harder..What sign is this?..And if it was stage 3 or stage 4 lymphoma,what are the chances of survival?..I'm really worried for myself now..I'm doing the biopsy tomorrow as it'll determine what type of cancer cell it is according to the doc..Thanks for any information

Well the lymph node on my right shoulder area seemed to get harder..What sign is this?..And if it was stage 3 or stage 4 lymphoma,what are the chances of survival?..I'm really worried for myself now..I'm doing the biopsy tomorrow as it'll determine what type of cancer cell it is according to the doc..Thanks for any information
The cure rate is quite high for lymphoma. As for the reason the lymph node is getting harder, the doctor will have to answer, but most of the time it is fluid build up and will drain during biopsy.

Ok..My biopsy is out and I'm certified to have Hodgkins stage 2...Well I just wanna know what kind of treatment is possible for this...The doctor said chemotheraphy would be done on me but it will be a simple one because not much doze will be given..Radiotheraphy as well..What are the side effects of these treatments?..I'm currently in college persueing my medical studies and I would not want the treatment to affect my studies as I'm on scholarship..
Please spare some information if possible thanks...

I'm sorry to hear of your news. Hodgkin's Disease, however, is eminently curable - all the more so if it is only at stage 2. If one is to have any form of cancer, so they say, this is the one to have.

Chemotherapy for Hodgkin's Disease can be administered in an outpatient setting, and it is highly possible that you will be able to continue with your studies. Some people can tolerate it without ever having to spend time in hospital, others need on and off observation while having treatment. The side-effects for chemotherapy differ from person to person, and also depend on what combination of drugs you receive. Many side effects can be alleviated by other medicines. Radiotherapy has fewer side-effects.

If you want further information, the best people to contact can be found at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (look up their website). They can put you in touch with others who have undergone treatment for Hodgkin's Disease and explain to you the various options available for treatment and how best to minimalise the impact on your life. It would also be a good idea to explain your situation to your college sponsors and ask them to be understanding in case you have to take time out.

Hey there..Well I've been certified for getting Hodgkins...And the doc said I would be doing chemotheraphy in 2 days time..Well before doing the chemo,he said i should get a chemopod...I would like to know how big is the pod and what is the size of it...And what does it do?..Please tell me as it will be useful to me..Thanks

Hey there guys...I just did my chemotheraphy yesterday...And I've been vomiting since then..Is there anyway to minimize this effect?..It really sucks..
Thanks for information...And what food should I consume?

I have read that there is a substance called spirallina (sp?) that can sometimes greatly reduce the effects of the chemo. You might ask for dr. about it, if he or she is open to alternative suppliments to medicine, that is. If not ask a naturopath perhaps.
I had wondered how you were doing. How often will you be going for treatments and how long do you have to stay each time? Best wishes.

Spirallina you said?What is it?..A kind of drug?..Well I'm kinda glad that no other side effects hit on me so far...Only vomiting though it sucks...Anyway,
I'm doing chemo once in 2 weeks and I only need 4 cycles,thank god..Where can I get this spirallina?..Thanks for the information!

Ask your Dr for a prescription for Zofran. It is the best prescribed antinausea agent I have heard of. It will cause constipation in some, but I believe you start to take it before you have the chemo, and then it will prevent the nausea from occurring in most cases. It is what most of the Lymphoma patients I have talked to are taking. Good luck. By the way patients also say to make sure that you have drunk a lot of extra water before you go for the chemo session. That helps with the nausea as well as the constipation. Then add lots of fruits and veggies for the constipation problems, as directed by your doctor.

Spirallina you said?What is it?..A kind of drug?..Well I'm kinda glad that no other side effects hit on me so far...Only vomiting though it sucks...Anyway,
I'm doing chemo once in 2 weeks and I only need 4 cycles,thank god..Where can I get this spirallina?..Thanks for the information!

It is a food actually, from my understanding, a sort of algae. I encourage you to read about it and form your own opinions. I have not used it personally, but if your dr. would be okay with it, it seems safe, so it might not hurt to try.
You may also ask about using ginger root tea. It is said to reduce nausea and motion sickness.
I would think you can can find many sources to buy spirulina, or you might be able to get it at a nearby whole food or healthfood store. I hope you feel better soon. Hang in there.

Hey there!..I've just finished my 2nd chemo 6 days ago..Well I'm okay and the nausea lasted for about 3-4 days..That sucked >.< ...Anyway,I am currently experiencing hair loss...Not that bad..Just a few strands time after time..Well is there anyway to deal with this?..Thanks for any information!

Im glad to hear youre doing okay, been wondering how you were. I dont know of anything to help you unfortunately, with the hair loss, but I just wanted to drop a line and say to stay strong. Sounds like you are doing a good job of that already.

Thanks man :) ..I'm hanging on pretty hard now..Cant take certain favourite food of mine..Cant even go to public places that much...Stranded at home :(
Well do you know if the hair grows back instantly after it drops?I mean to compensate for the dropped ones....

{REMOVED - please do not post commercial websites or copy from them}

My thoughts are with you....
jenny

Bond:
I will go back and paraphrase what I found . I read the posting rules and it was my understanding that informational websites were allowed.... I think perhaps 1 of the ones I posted might have been comemrcial...but the rest were from (what i thought was) informational sites. I'm unclear as to why those were deleted, but my apology if they broke your rules.
Jenny

Bond.....
Hairloss seems to typically come back within a few weeks after treatment has ended. The new growth might have a different texture....some people with formerly straight hair will have it come back curled, etc. But in general it returns back to its normal state in time. ( think months perhaps, after it has grown in)

Using a moisterizer can help your scalp not to itch, while the hair is gone.

So it looks like your regrowth will not start until your treatment ends, but it almost always does regrow. I hope this helps.....hang in there.
Jenny

2 weeks after my 1st chemo, I noticed my white cell count (wcc) was below average i.e. 3.7 but my doc said it was ok to go ahead with the 2nd chemo as long as it's above 3.0
now 2 weeks later, my wcc has dropped further to 2.7 but doc still says it's alright to do my 3rd chemo !! furthermore my red cell count is over the max. i.e. 5.37 ; my lymphocytes at 51 and monocytes at 26 ! can anyone tell me what all these means
and is it dangerous ? Is it because of my diet ? what should I do to bring these down to average figures.any advice is very much appreciated.

My brother has recently been diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease. Does anyone have any good news based on personal experiences?

bond99, what is the latest news regarding your fight with Lymphoma?

Ok here goes to Dave..Well to answer your question,if you have to get cancer,Hodgkins is the one you would definately choose..It's not VERY seriously and the percentage to cure is is very very high if treated early..Right now,get a proper doctor and do this few tests I've done...A CT Scan to determine where is the REAL tumour..You might have a lump in your shoulder but the tumour could be in other part of the body..So get the exact location of the tumour first..Then consult a haemotologist for futher treatment..Usually,chemotheraphy is the chosen method to cure Hodgkins..
Anyway,it is very important that you take quick action to fight Hodgkins because the faster you treat it,the higher the percentage to be cured..

bond99, what is the latest news regarding your fight with Lymphoma?

Hey there,well I am currently in the 2nd cycle,Day 1 of my chemotheraphy.I am supposed to do 4 cycles so it should end within another 2 and a half months.Well after chemo,the nausea's pretty bad.I would tend to vomit for about 3-4 days and starve :( ..After that,I'll be okay and be able to eat and live life the usual way.I have not experienced any fatigue yet so far and I think I wont experience it since I'm only 17 and young.I'm currently experiencing hair loss though.I have about 35% of hair remaining compared to the hair I have before chemotheraphy.I think that should be all for now.

By the way,does anybody at all know the answer to my question about the White Blood Cells?..I really would like to know..Thanks

2 weeks after my 1st chemo, I noticed my white cell count (wcc) was below average i.e. 3.7 but my doc said it was ok to go ahead with the 2nd chemo as long as it's above 3.0
now 2 weeks later, my wcc has dropped further to 2.7 but doc still says it's alright to do my 3rd chemo !! furthermore my red cell count is over the max. i.e. 5.37 ; my lymphocytes at 51 and monocytes at 26 ! can anyone tell me what all these means
and is it dangerous ? Is it because of my diet ? what should I do to bring these down to average figures.any advice is very much appreciated.
Those counts are extremely good considering what you are going through. This means your body is fighting. If your counts were dropping then there would be a problem. Your body is doing what it is supposed to do which is mount a defense against the cancer. The WCC is still in an acceptable range between 2 and 3. I am sure that your doctor will tell you what to do in terms of diet. Good luck on the rest of your therapy.

Hey there Marimac..Thanks a lot for that information..I feel much better knowing about it now..I was so worried that my WCC is low..Anyway,about my diet,are there any specific food not to take?..I read online and I'm advised to lesser sugar..Is that true?..The doctor said I should stick to my usual diet..Means I could eat anything but for precautions I would like to know more..Thanks