Introduction

BryanK519

Hello all. I'm new here. Just wanted to give you a brief introduction and am hoping to receive some support and information from those of you (patients and caregivers) who have also been battling with lymphoma.

My b13 year old son, Kiefer, was diagnosed with Burkitts NHL about a month ago. What we thought was tonsilitis or strep throat, turned out to be cancer, to everybody's shock. When the word cancer left the physician's mouth, it was like I just left my body. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't think, I couldn't speak... we thought we were going to have to have Kiefer go through a tonselectomy, but nobody in their wildest dreams thought that the doctor would be telling us our 13 year old son had cancer! For the first week I don't think I've ever felt fear like that - I've never cried so hard in my life. All I could think about is the worst case scenario - I could lose my boy!

Since then everything has moved pretty fast. He has had his PET scan, which turned out to be negative (Thank God!) his blood work came back negative. He goes into surgery tomorrow to have his portacath implanted and while he is asleep, they will conduct a bone marrow aspiration and a lumbar puncture. He begins chemo on Tuesday. I have been so busy taking him to appointments, picking up prescriptions, calling doctors, etc. I no longer have time to sit and dwell on all of the worst-case scenarios, but I really don't know what to expect. Oh - I know what the pamphletts, websites, and brochures tell me to expect - but have not been through this personally, and certainly my son has not been through this, so I'm just kind of holding my nose and hoping that I do the best I can for my son.

I will read through some of these posts, but I would certainly appreciate any feedback or suggestions you have to assist me in being as supportive and effective caregiver I can be for my son.

Thanks,
Bryan

allmost60

Bryan and Kiefer
Hi Bryan,
Welcome to the group. I hope Mofo's comments will not keep you from coming back in the future. What you are feeling is perfectly natural and if any child of mine was diagnosed with cancer, I most assuredly would feel the same way. This is scary stuff and not an easy thing to wrap your mind around. I am 1 year out from first learning of my cancer, and I'm still finding it hard to accept. With that being said, it will get easier as time goes on. Keifer has youth on his side, which will help immensely. I finished chemo in December and it was tough, but totally doable. Once you find out the kind of chemo he will be getting please share with us. I'm sure others here will have more information to pass along to you. My chemo was CVP-R and I'm now on a two year maint plan with Rituxan...infusion, every other month. I'm doing quite well and hope to stay this way for years to come. My prayers and good thoughts are with you and Keifer. Please let us know how things progress and someone is always here to give you support. Stay as positive as possible. Best wishes...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

allmost60

allmost60 said:

Bryan and Kiefer
Hi Bryan,
Welcome to the group. I hope Mofo's comments will not keep you from coming back in the future. What you are feeling is perfectly natural and if any child of mine was diagnosed with cancer, I most assuredly would feel the same way. This is scary stuff and not an easy thing to wrap your mind around. I am 1 year out from first learning of my cancer, and I'm still finding it hard to accept. With that being said, it will get easier as time goes on. Keifer has youth on his side, which will help immensely. I finished chemo in December and it was tough, but totally doable. Once you find out the kind of chemo he will be getting please share with us. I'm sure others here will have more information to pass along to you. My chemo was CVP-R and I'm now on a two year maint plan with Rituxan...infusion, every other month. I'm doing quite well and hope to stay this way for years to come. My prayers and good thoughts are with you and Keifer. Please let us know how things progress and someone is always here to give you support. Stay as positive as possible. Best wishes...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

Post removed...
I was happy to see the post from Mofo was removed.I flagged it immediately after reading it last night. I feel bad for Bryan and truely hope he will come back and give our group a second chance. Those were comments from a 16 year old boy who has never posted on our board before. Mofo's comments were in no way an indication of how our group responds to people needing support. We are here to support and be compassionate. Sorry Bryan..hope you will come back. God bless you and Keifer and your family. We are here for all of you...Sue
(FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

COBRA666

Bryan
I don't know if you read that post from Mofo or not,but the guy needs help for some of the crap he was saying. I responded to him and also to you on the same post and when they pulled his comment they pulled mine as well. I was giving you as much support as I could. We all know you are scared at this point as is normal. Right now we have to see what the test results are. You have come to the right place for support and we are always here to help. Keep coming back and letting us know what reports are. We can help you better when we know exactly what is going on. In the meantime try to stay calm,as hard as that may be.We were all right where you are at one time. I was scared out of my wits. I am now in remission. John

michelleb1064

COBRA666 said:

Bryan
I don't know if you read that post from Mofo or not,but the guy needs help for some of the crap he was saying. I responded to him and also to you on the same post and when they pulled his comment they pulled mine as well. I was giving you as much support as I could. We all know you are scared at this point as is normal. Right now we have to see what the test results are. You have come to the right place for support and we are always here to help. Keep coming back and letting us know what reports are. We can help you better when we know exactly what is going on. In the meantime try to stay calm,as hard as that may be.We were all right where you are at one time. I was scared out of my wits. I am now in remission. John

Post
I didn't see the post but glad to hear it was removed.