Senator Spector Dies

Senator Arlen Spector died today. He had two separate bouts with HL, and then a brief bout with NHL. I rememered him because my doc told me years ago that his HL was the same strain that I had. He is an example of how lymphoma can morph into differening forms of the disease, usually years later. Of course, we are lucky in a way, given that most cases of lymphoma are put into permanent remission with the first-line therapies.

I am intereseted in hearing about cases of one lymphoma become some other, if anyone ,wished to comment. Of course, several of our regualrs have already discussed their multi-cancers history.

max

Comments

  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    Arlen Spector
    Every so often someone famous dies with NHL .What really bothers me is they never go into any detail. They just say NHL. There are so many different types out there so each and every one of us is wondering what type they had and are we going to end up the same way.I know we are all individuals,but it does get the brain ticking. John
  • Aaron
    Aaron Member Posts: 237
    COBRA666 said:

    Arlen Spector
    Every so often someone famous dies with NHL .What really bothers me is they never go into any detail. They just say NHL. There are so many different types out there so each and every one of us is wondering what type they had and are we going to end up the same way.I know we are all individuals,but it does get the brain ticking. John

    I was very sorry to hear
    I was very sorry to hear about senator Spector , he certainly fought the good fight several times. I thought I read that he started with classic hl, I had no idea he had nlphl. I hope your doing well max I'm on day 5 feeling like a zombie watching football all day.
  • vinny59
    vinny59 Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    yep
    I try not to think about it anymore, it just mess's with my head....
  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    Aaron said:

    I was very sorry to hear
    I was very sorry to hear about senator Spector , he certainly fought the good fight several times. I thought I read that he started with classic hl, I had no idea he had nlphl. I hope your doing well max I'm on day 5 feeling like a zombie watching football all day.

    Zombie
    Hey Aaron! Nice to hear from you. You might want to keep that
    "zombie" thing going as Halloween is fast approaching on creepy legs ;).
    Just messing with you. Hope you and yours are doing well.



    Jim
  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    Hey Max
    Hi Max,

    I'm reminded of hearing about Andy Whitfield (actor) passing from
    lymphoma at age 39. I was a fan of "Spartacus" in which he starred.
    I remember feeling very sad as he was relatively young. The media
    rarely gives the specifics about the type of cancer.

    It's sad about Specter but he did have a long and successful career
    and by most counts a fairly long life.

    I don't have an answer for you regarding lymphoma morphing into another
    type of cancer except that mine better stay in remission and not
    change into anything else except GONE :).

    Hugs,

    Jim
  • NANCYL1
    NANCYL1 Member Posts: 289
    COBRA666 said:

    Arlen Spector
    Every so often someone famous dies with NHL .What really bothers me is they never go into any detail. They just say NHL. There are so many different types out there so each and every one of us is wondering what type they had and are we going to end up the same way.I know we are all individuals,but it does get the brain ticking. John

    ARLEN SPECTOR

    I have B Cell Lymphoma. Can be controlled, but not cured. Have Rituxan infusions. Just discovered in May of this year. Hodgkins was never mentioned by my doctor. Have a blood test tomorrow and see the oncologist on Friday. Think I will make a list of questions. Never knew there were so many different kinds of cancer.

    Nancy
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    NANCYL1 said:

    ARLEN SPECTOR

    I have B Cell Lymphoma. Can be controlled, but not cured. Have Rituxan infusions. Just discovered in May of this year. Hodgkins was never mentioned by my doctor. Have a blood test tomorrow and see the oncologist on Friday. Think I will make a list of questions. Never knew there were so many different kinds of cancer.

    Nancy

    types of Lymphoma
    I never knew of the many different types either. It seems they have added a few since I first joined this site over 2 years ago. Seems they are adding different types on a regular basis. I think they have more types now than they do soda pop brands. This may be good since they are putting them in classes so maybe they can treat them more individually. John
  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,803 Member
    NANCYL1 said:

    ARLEN SPECTOR

    I have B Cell Lymphoma. Can be controlled, but not cured. Have Rituxan infusions. Just discovered in May of this year. Hodgkins was never mentioned by my doctor. Have a blood test tomorrow and see the oncologist on Friday. Think I will make a list of questions. Never knew there were so many different kinds of cancer.

    Nancy

    Types

    Nancy,

    There are five primary types of HL, and 27 common types of NHL. About 70% of all new cases of lymphoma are NHL. The differences are in the types of cancer cells present, of course. Only a patholigist in a lab can tell one from another. A lot for the oncologists to keep up with !
  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,803 Member
    jimwins said:

    Hey Max
    Hi Max,

    I'm reminded of hearing about Andy Whitfield (actor) passing from
    lymphoma at age 39. I was a fan of "Spartacus" in which he starred.
    I remember feeling very sad as he was relatively young. The media
    rarely gives the specifics about the type of cancer.

    It's sad about Specter but he did have a long and successful career
    and by most counts a fairly long life.

    I don't have an answer for you regarding lymphoma morphing into another
    type of cancer except that mine better stay in remission and not
    change into anything else except GONE :).

    Hugs,

    Jim

    Yea !

    Me and you both, brother !
  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,803 Member
    vinny59 said:

    yep
    I try not to think about it anymore, it just mess's with my head....

    Me Too
    Vin,

    During my first few months of treatment I was reading nothing but cancer info 24/7, and speaking with my cousin in Orlando who had had breast cancer years before. After a while I told her I had to just stop and try to focus on other things. Worrying about cancer continuously would drive anyone insane, and is totally nonproductive anyway.

    max
  • NANCYL1
    NANCYL1 Member Posts: 289
    COBRA666 said:

    types of Lymphoma
    I never knew of the many different types either. It seems they have added a few since I first joined this site over 2 years ago. Seems they are adding different types on a regular basis. I think they have more types now than they do soda pop brands. This may be good since they are putting them in classes so maybe they can treat them more individually. John

    types of Lymphma

    Really, adding different types on a regular basis? I am new to the board. Many, many years ago there was only X-ray. Hard to imagine.

    Nancy
  • NANCYL1
    NANCYL1 Member Posts: 289

    Types

    Nancy,

    There are five primary types of HL, and 27 common types of NHL. About 70% of all new cases of lymphoma are NHL. The differences are in the types of cancer cells present, of course. Only a patholigist in a lab can tell one from another. A lot for the oncologists to keep up with !

    TYPES
    MAX:

    It just boggles the mind.

    I have "mild" B-Cell Lymphoma, whatever that is.

    Nancy