new to chat room, have questions

I was diagnosed with stage 4 NHL in August of last year. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

sehwol said:

I was diagnosed with stage 4 NHL in August of last year. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Diagnosis low grade follicular lymphoma in Jan 2004, have no typical symptoms. Tumors in abdomen, went to doctor because of vomiting and stomach pain every 1-2 months. In stage II, not in bone marrow, took 2 months to get diagnosis because lymph nodes hard to get to, finally after bone marrrow test, Pet Scan, 2 Cat Scans and needle biospy decided what it was. I am now taking Chemo, Rituxan R-FND, every 28 days had my first treamtent am doing fine. With the one exception, this weekend I had another bout with pain and vomiting, which isn't the Chemo because I know what I have gone through the last year. I had to go to ER because I can't quit vomiting and this goes on for usually 6 housr or more. It is like I have a blockage and I will throw up food I have eaten for the past 2 days or so, no one seems to believe me. I have only gone to ER 2 times and by that time I am at the end of the episode. It leave me so dehydarted that I have to have IV and then I am fine. Has anyone out there had any sickness like this with their lymphoma ?

JAT said:

Diagnosis low grade follicular lymphoma in Jan 2004, have no typical symptoms. Tumors in abdomen, went to doctor because of vomiting and stomach pain every 1-2 months. In stage II, not in bone marrow, took 2 months to get diagnosis because lymph nodes hard to get to, finally after bone marrrow test, Pet Scan, 2 Cat Scans and needle biospy decided what it was. I am now taking Chemo, Rituxan R-FND, every 28 days had my first treamtent am doing fine. With the one exception, this weekend I had another bout with pain and vomiting, which isn't the Chemo because I know what I have gone through the last year. I had to go to ER because I can't quit vomiting and this goes on for usually 6 housr or more. It is like I have a blockage and I will throw up food I have eaten for the past 2 days or so, no one seems to believe me. I have only gone to ER 2 times and by that time I am at the end of the episode. It leave me so dehydarted that I have to have IV and then I am fine. Has anyone out there had any sickness like this with their lymphoma ?

Hi Jat could you tell me the size of your nodes? mine are 13mm and to small to do the needle biopsy,as they too are in a very hard place to get to ,lower abdo near kidneys etc..and I have waited since July last yr to get a size ,and by the time I have another ct scan it will be July again,so unless they grow the only way they can tell me the type etc is through a op from the belly button to the pelvis and I think this is a bit drastic!Hoping the chemo go's well with you and the side effects arn't to hard,( I found the chemo really good! well had chemo for BC and that was the worst ever..hugs and god bless.

ozzie2 said:

Hi Jat could you tell me the size of your nodes? mine are 13mm and to small to do the needle biopsy,as they too are in a very hard place to get to ,lower abdo near kidneys etc..and I have waited since July last yr to get a size ,and by the time I have another ct scan it will be July again,so unless they grow the only way they can tell me the type etc is through a op from the belly button to the pelvis and I think this is a bit drastic!Hoping the chemo go's well with you and the side effects arn't to hard,( I found the chemo really good! well had chemo for BC and that was the worst ever..hugs and god bless.

Hi Oz2, several lymph nodes in mesentery 2-4 mm in size, 5X4X4 CM at root of mesentery and 3x2x2 cm behind left renal vein of kidney, that is where they did the needle biospy. Like you they said it would be major surgery until my doctor knew a Vascular Interventional surgeon and he did needle biospy. Doctor says he will do another Cat Scan after 3rd treatment, I sure wish it would get here and I find out tumors have shrunk. Not sure how I will handle it if they haven't. I have never been sick before, except for hysterectomy. I don't like this feeling when ever you get a pain, you think it has something to do with the lymphoma. Nice to have someone to talk to, that know what you are going through. God bless and good luck.

tom's wife said:

I'm new also, but it's nice to know that I'm not alone. My husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer in November. They removed his stomach completely. He has gone through chemo and radiation, but still have 2 more bouts of chemo. He has lost 75 pounds since November and an inch in heighth. He is ill most of the time, has no appitite and trouble keeping food down. He chokes alot on almost everything. I wish I knew what to do for him. I've been making him sugar free chocolate milk shakes because they taste good to him. He is al least getting milk an dsometimes I slip an egg in there for protein. I would love to have someone to talk to to compare information and just get a smile from once in awhile - any takers out there?

Tom's wife.

Hi Tom's wife. I am Frank's wife. Frank was diagnoised with lymphoma in mid January, so I am new to this too. Frank has a tumor in his abdmonen and 1 in his lung. He is at stage 3. He is 61, I am 56. I think we would be a good match to talk about the riggors of being married to cancer.
Frank's wife.

CURIOUSME said:

HI MY NAME IS BEV AND I HAVENT BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH LYMPHOMA YET BC I HAVENT HAD A BIOPSY YET BC OF NO HEALTH INSURANCE I NEED SOME1 TO TALK TO.

Hi my name is Susan - know that you are not alone. I am a large b-cell lymphoma survivor, chemo (chop-R) and radiation, had part of my left lung removed, diagnosed April 16th 2001, completed treatment September 24th, 2001. I am also a nurse- trust me- doesn't make a whole lot of difference when it comes to cancer. But as far as insurance goes - I don't know what your financial situation is or where you live but medicaid is always and option and if you are diagnosed with lymphoma and have to go through treatments, you can talk to your oncologist about social security diability. I don't know what county you live in but some places have county hospitals. One thing about cancer - treatment is usually the same and standards of care should be the same - I hope that I helped some and if you need anyone to talk to e-mail me at serangels@yahoo.com. good luck I hope everything turns out ok and your fears are unfounded. Please let me know.