My grandpa's got NHL. What can you tell me? - Lymphomas Message Board

Chuck E · 05-30-2004, 11:25 PM

Last June my grandfather, now age 75, complained of a lump in his back. Not being one to go to doctors he put things off until we begged him to have a chest x-ray in October. It was then that a spot was discovered on his lung. After a CAT scan, PET scan, bone scan, etc. no one could figure out what it was. Then he had a needle biopsy and another biopsy but results were inconclusive because doctors didn't get a big enough sample. Finally, in April he had a surgical biopsy which revealed what we had hoped and prayed it wouldn't be- cancer. But the doctor said it is a treatable kind, MALT Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, in stage 2. About a week after the biopsy he had complications- he couldn't breathe. It was called chlyothorax. His body drained chyle for more than 2 weeks before they did another sugery to seal it off. Now he's home but all the surgeries, complications, and radiation treatments have made him a shadow of the man he once was. Here's what's strange- this is a guy who was very active and healthy right up to the surgery. He never smoked and rarely drank. He denied he had cancer because he "never felt any pain." Yet his father (my great-grandfather) died of lung cancer.

Here's what I need to know- Anyone out there with a similar story? We feel alone because doctors say this is quite rare, and the complications he had were even rarer. We just want to know- what are his chances at age 75 of beating this thing. We've heard it's not curable but treatable.

Thank you for your responses. We'd like stories of hope but we must also be able to face the truth. Thanks again!

Marimac · 05-31-2004, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck E

Last June my grandfather, now age 75, complained of a lump in his back. Not being one to go to doctors he put things off until we begged him to have a chest x-ray in October. It was then that a spot was discovered on his lung. After a CAT scan, PET scan, bone scan, etc. no one could figure out what it was. Then he had a needle biopsy and another biopsy but results were inconclusive because doctors didn't get a big enough sample. Finally, in April he had a surgical biopsy which revealed what we had hoped and prayed it wouldn't be- cancer. But the doctor said it is a treatable kind, MALT Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, in stage 2. About a week after the biopsy he had complications- he couldn't breathe. It was called chlyothorax. His body drained chyle for more than 2 weeks before they did another sugery to seal it off. Now he's home but all the surgeries, complications, and radiation treatments have made him a shadow of the man he once was. Here's what's strange- this is a guy who was very active and healthy right up to the surgery. He never smoked and rarely drank. He denied he had cancer because he "never felt any pain." Yet his father (my great-grandfather) died of lung cancer.

Here's what I need to know- Anyone out there with a similar story? We feel alone because doctors say this is quite rare, and the complications he had were even rarer. We just want to know- what are his chances at age 75 of beating this thing. We've heard it's not curable but treatable.

Thank you for your responses. We'd like stories of hope but we must also be able to face the truth. Thanks again!

There are a lot of older people who have lumps and bumps and never get them biopsied and never find out until an autopsy or whatever that they had a disease of cancer etc.
I am told that NHL can be one of the best cancers that you can have for remission if you have to get a cancer. I know for sure that your Grandfather is tired and worn down after all the stress of testing and surgery. I can't tell you that things will be fine but I can tell you that if his attitude remains positive as possible through all this the likelyhood of him regaining most of his strength is possible. Surgery is extremely hard on older folks no matter how good their health is. Good luck.

Sierra0721 · 06-01-2004, 08:00 PM

Hi,

I don't know how much help I can be, but I will share my personal story with you. One year ago this month, I was diagnosed with NHL MALT Lymphoma. I discovered a lump on my back as well, and it concerned me. I saw my doctor, and he removed it thinking it was just a cyst. To his suprise it was cancer. Since then I have has 3 more lumps removed. One on my lower left butt cheek, another on my lower back/hip, and the most recent lump from my right upper arm. All were lymphomas. I have been put through the wringer so to speak. I have had a CAT scan, PET scan, stomach scope,bone marrow biopsy, and surgery on all four lump sites to remove the residual traces of cancer. My doctor told me that it was extremely rare for this type of lymphoma to grow where it did. It is more commonly found in the stomach. I had one bad reaction on one of the surgery sites. Two days after surgery, the incision began to open, until I had one large hole in my back. It was horrible. It took several weeks for this to heal, but it finally closed, and now I am left with a huge scar.
I however was lucky enough to not have to go through any treatment for this. The biggest reason for sharing my story with you is to let you that your grandfather is not alone. I may only be 30 years old, but the reality of having cancer is just as scary for any age, and the biggest advice I can give you is to help your grandfather by keeping his spirits up, and always keep a positive attitude, and above all, NEVER give up hope, because once you give up hope, so will your grandfather.

Sierra

Kaycee41 · 06-02-2004, 05:56 AM

Hi Chuck,

My father was diagnosed with NHL three years ago when he was 79. His only symptom was a lump on his jaw which looked like an infected tooth. When they biopsied it, they diagnosed NHL. Cat scan showed a tumor in his pelvic area behind his kidney. Bone marrow test showed it was in his bone marrow also. He had treatments with a drug called Rituxan. It is given through the vein like Chemo, but it doesn't have the side effects Chemo has. He had 8 treatments. The first one usually takes 6 hours or more, if I remember, because they give it slow. The body sometimes has an allergic type reaction, and the staff are prepared to deal with it. After the first treatment, the following treatments are usually quicker and without much reaction from the body. It was really quite easy to take. Dad was really afraid of Chemo, but this wasn't bad at all! Best of all, the Rituxan shrunk the pelvic tumor to nothing and he has been in remission for almost 2 years. He is now 82 and doing fine. Like your grandpa, he had always been very healthy and active. He did work in a refinery and also grew up on a farm. They suspect that chemical exposure may be one cause of NHL, since refinery workers and farmers have a higher incident of NHL. I was so scared when Dad was diagnosed! I was also scared that he wouldn't do well because of his age, but he did great. I know every case is different (I don't know what MALT NHL is, I think Dad had type B...it's the kind that is incurable, but spreads slowly). I just wanted you to know that older people can have good results. My best to you and your family. Cancer is a hard thing to deal with at any age.