Any non hodgkins lymphoma doctors?

patriciamariechristie
patriciamariechristie Member Posts: 11
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
my husband has non hodgkins lymphoma. Chemo has destroyed the pumping capability of his heart. So no more treatments, and now his abdomen is growing large. A previous CAT scan showed lymphoma growing in his abdomen. Now he has difficulty breathing at times, due to pressure? And he cant eat as much, pressure on his stomach? How big can the abdomen get? What should I expect?

Comments

  • blueroses
    blueroses Member Posts: 524
    #2
    I am certainly not a doctor but ...
    I am a NHL survivor and had a bone marrow transplant for it 18 years ago, one of the first stem cell transplants done here in Canada for NHL. Obviously it was a success cure-wise and I am sure the transplants are much different today than 18 years ago but I too had heart damage from the treatments, atrial fibrulation which is an erratic heartbeat. It got so bad that 5 years ago I had to have an emergency pacemaker implanted and that has helped although the atrial fib can still be quite debillitating. I don't know if you are going to get doctors responding on this site or not but for your husbands abdomen and breathing conditions he should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible I would think. Hasn't your oncologist told you what to expect in all of this? You have the right to ask questions and if you aren't getting answers then perhaps you should consider changing doctors to one you can have a better relationship with. Peace comes in the form of answers to our questions in it all and if we don't get those questions answered we are left with stress and anxiety which we definitely don't need when dealing with cancer, for not only the patient but caregivers as well. All the best, Blessings, Blueroses.
  • patriciamariechristie
    patriciamariechristie Member Posts: 11
    #3
    blueroses said:

    I am certainly not a doctor but ...
    I am a NHL survivor and had a bone marrow transplant for it 18 years ago, one of the first stem cell transplants done here in Canada for NHL. Obviously it was a success cure-wise and I am sure the transplants are much different today than 18 years ago but I too had heart damage from the treatments, atrial fibrulation which is an erratic heartbeat. It got so bad that 5 years ago I had to have an emergency pacemaker implanted and that has helped although the atrial fib can still be quite debillitating. I don't know if you are going to get doctors responding on this site or not but for your husbands abdomen and breathing conditions he should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible I would think. Hasn't your oncologist told you what to expect in all of this? You have the right to ask questions and if you aren't getting answers then perhaps you should consider changing doctors to one you can have a better relationship with. Peace comes in the form of answers to our questions in it all and if we don't get those questions answered we are left with stress and anxiety which we definitely don't need when dealing with cancer, for not only the patient but caregivers as well. All the best, Blessings, Blueroses.

    blueroses
    Thank you for your suggestions. Our oncologist doesn't answer these questions. He mainly says see you in two months, call if you need me.

    We will get a second opinion. A new doctor has been suggested by a friend.


    You are correct, without the answers, we have anxiety and stress.
  • blueroses
    blueroses Member Posts: 524
    #4
    patriciamariechristie said:

    blueroses
    Thank you for your suggestions. Our oncologist doesn't answer these questions. He mainly says see you in two months, call if you need me.

    We will get a second opinion. A new doctor has been suggested by a friend.


    You are correct, without the answers, we have anxiety and stress.

    Hi Patricia
    You are wise getting another oncologist, wow that's awful that your current one 'doesn't answer questions' who the heck does he think he is working for? Unreal. Good for you for standing up for what you KNOW is right. I pray you will find a more willing PARTNER in your husband's care with a new oncologist. Do let us know how you both are doing. Blessings, Blueroses.

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