Lymphoma

[music54]

well the doctors say it is hodgkins mixed cell lymphoma-stage 4
but he has a great attitude about it
my mother made him the essiac tea and he is taking that
may as well-at this point we'll try anything
i found a great web site called the cancer survivors network
its kinda of set up like this one
he will not be staying with me but with his mother
still worried about my son and havent really had a chance to talk with him because he's been with his dad and the in-laws
i saw my son yesterday and he seemed ok but i still worry
thanks again everyone

 

[mickman1962]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...2/104-3891459-6747141?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...2/104-3891459-6747141?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...4/104-3891459-6747141?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance

 

[mickeyboat]

I am so sorry you and your family are having to go through this.

You sound like an amazing person, willing to take in your ex and care for him through his treatments.

I am sorry I don't have any book suggestions to offer, but I know our local cancer center has a library of materials available to its cancer patients and their families. I bet the website you found will also have some ideas.

My MIL passed away three years ago from breast cancer. My DD's were only not even 2 and 3 at the time. I didn't try to explain cancer to them then, but they are asking a lot of questions about it now. I deal with them one at a time, and it seems to satisfy them. They have gotten some strange notions in their heads at times, which I try to dispel, but it takes a few times explaining something before they internalize it. So be patient with your son and his questions.

I sure hope all goes well.

Denae

 

[music54]

thanks for the book suggestions-exactly what i was looking for

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

First of all hugs to you and your family.

I have a friend who was diagnosed with lymphoma probably 10 - 12 years ago. His is Non-hodgkins small cleaved follicular lymphoma - can't believe I still remember what it is called. He has been doing fine for several years now - still goes in for tests periodically. He has told me that they have new drugs now that don't make you as sick - hopefully, your ex will be able to use these newer better drugs.

Treatment will depend on what kind of lymphoma it is. His oncologist should be able to connect you with a local support group - which will help a lot with the questions you will have (is this normal...what happens when they do such and such... general things that pop up).

I haven't read all the posts so I don't know if you have posted what kind his is or not. You can pm me if you want and I can ask my friend for information on websites and support groups. He doesn't live here now but he is only about an hour away so we still get to see him occasionally.

 

[music54]

ok ive ordered the 3 books and added 1 more
he says he has mixed cell hodgkins-stage 4
now ive read that stage 4 means it has spread to other areas
have to look more into it
they are doing a done marrow test so i think they are guessing it has spread there-which is why the stage 4 maybe
now when i found out about this yesterday i was very upset but from finding that web site there are people on there that have beat it
so it made me feel better
we have a disney trip planned for aug 22 - not sure what to do
my son may need the time away
really undecided right now

 

[Kitty 34]

 

[nativetxn]

Thinking good thoughts for your ex. I hope that the chemo, etc puts him in remission and that he has an easy time of it.

Katholyn

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If you get a hold of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society--they will have some good resources.

I know in our Central Florida chapter they have a number of things including support groups for the patient and family support groups for patient and family and a network that hooks up a newly diagnosed patient with someone who has been going through the same thing. Our chapter also helps by providing money to help cover what insurance does not. I'm sure it is case by case--but any little bit hopes.

I could say with certainty that the chapter that is local to you would be doing similar things and would be worth your ex-hubby looking into.

 

[cheerful chickadee]

I'm sorry to hear you and your family are dealing with this, it's especially hard on children to understand, there are just so many unknowns. My sister had Hodgkins Lymphoma, stage 3, two masses (one on her chest and one on her lung) this was about 2 years ago. She went through 2 rounds of chemo and is now in remission. Cancer is terrible to deal with as it physically affects it's patients in many different ways and the family and friends around the patient struggle with the unknown and feel helpless.

It was a very difficult time for my sister as she had just given birth to a daughter 3 months before she was diagnosed, she went through a period of being very angry. She was only 26 at the time she was diagnosed and having defeated it she has built up more personal strength than she ever thought she would have.

sorry to ramble, You & your family will be in my thoughts!

 

[Beastlover]

So very sorry...

 

[Mackey Mouse]

First and foremost, good luck as he starts out on this road that can lead to recovery. I did a search on children's books about cancer and came up with many listings in Amazon.com...I am not sure I can link it here, but will try:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060187093/102-2689046-5556117?v=glance

If it does not work, do a google on children's books about cancer, I have not had any first hand experience with dealing with children and someone in their family having cancer.....I do have experience with dealing with a loved one battling for his life with cancer, if I can help you in any way, please feel free to pm me.

Marsha

 

[JoyG]

If he has Hodgkin's Lymphoma, not non-hodgkin's lymphoma, I've read that it is VERY curable even at stage 4...I'm not sure about it exactly, but I think I read that Hodgkin's Stage 4 still had a 70-80% survival rate.

I would google "survival rate Hodgkins" and see what you come up with or "prognosis Hodgkin's".

Obviously no cancer is good, but if you have to have cancer, I've heard you want Hodgkins Lymphoma or Thyroid Cancer b/c of the high cure rates.

I only carry around these facts b/c I am a hypochondriac and I recently had some swollen lymph nodes in my neck.

Sending prayers for your ex...

Joy

 

[grlpwrd]

 

[music54]

he does have hodgkins not non-hodgkins
i am going to look up the difference
but he seems to have a very good attitude as do his doctors
he said someone said if you have to get cancer hodgkins is the one to get
i worry because he is very thin - he was always thin but now i wonder how he has strength to make it through the day
i havent gotten the books yet that i ordered - maybe today
my son seems to be doing well-but i still worry
school starts soon-maybe it will take his mind off things
i know for me its going to work
thanks everyone for your suggestions

 

[music54]

heres an update-i got the books i ordered
the year my mother was bald looks perferct
it is written from a kids point of view
the other ones i havent really looked at yet - its a bad day
he has to have heart surgery for fluid around the heart
which i think isnt too bad but i just talked to my mil
and she says he has emphysema too so she is more worried about that
i dont know what to think
we are still going on our trip
but my son races bmx and has to go to kentucky for a race
which his father always takes him to
so i might cHange plans and go to kentucky from orlando
for the race
but ive never been to kentucky
kinda nervous but i will deal with it
any tips on louisianna kentucky ???

 

[mrsstats]

My father in law had this about 10 years ago and after treatment he is still here and going strong. Prayers are with you.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Be there for him. That is what he will need. He will also need a good listener even if he is ratty. Cancer does not mean death. There are many new treatments that can help your ex-h. Stay strong for him.

How old is your son? Will you tell him? If so, at what point?

 

[Laurajean1014]

How long is his chemo treatments? When does he start radiation? Will he be taking any meds?

You may want to go to the surgeon with him, for support and to have another set of ears (to remember later, when the questions pop up).

 

[wdw4us]

you don't say how old your son is, but my daughter was 6 when my mother was dying of cancer. She was old enough to understand that something bad was happening to Grammy. It made her uncomfortable and afraid. My mother (such a saint) told me not to bring her back to the house. She didn't want to upset her granddaughter. I don't know if I would be that brave but she was and saved my daughter a lot of fear.

Sickness is fearful no matter how old you are, and your son may have a hard time while he deals with his dad being sick.

Take care.

denise