Wellness

[Sunshine]

I was recently diagnosed with stage 2 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in my spleen. Since it was caught early I didn't have any symptoms. I've had blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, chest X-rays, Pet scan and biopsies. The biopsy of my spleen finally proved the cancer. Yesterday was my first chemo session. I was there for 6 hours, but it wasn't as bad as I anticipated it to be. I hope your brother does well.

[Theoriginallacey]

Could he have myelodysplasia and not lymphoma? My mother had that. I guess his bone marrow test would determine if it was that or lymphoma.

[gwiz]

In 1979 my husband was diagnosed with a form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was 38 years old at the time. He was treated with chemotherapy and radiation. His cancer was "cured" and/or went into remission.

In spring of 2013 cancer returned and was diagnosed as a different form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma than he had in l979. There are 20 some different kinds of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This time he was treated with chemotherapy and again he is in remission as of now. The doctor said it is not unusual for lymphoma to "come back", but it is very unusual to come back after all those years. But doctors also say that if you are going to get cancer then lymphoma is one of the types with the highest cure rate.

In spring of this year, after my husband was declared cancer free, my 42 year old son was diagnosed with the exact same type of lymphoma my husband had this second time. Now my son is getting chemotherapy. Doctors said it is extremely rare for a father and son to come down with the same type. It is not supposed to be genetic and you can't "catch it" from someone like a cold.

This type of cancer is one of the ones with the best outcomes after treatment. Support from family and friends while undergoing treatment can really be a huge help to the patient and their family.

Best wishes for a good outcome, if lymphoma is the diagnosis.

[Lipstickdiva]

You really need to find out for sure and if so, what kind.

My mom was first diagnosed with Hodgkins disease back in 1990. She went through chemo for 1 year. She was stage IV when diagnosed.

She was in remission for 5 years and then was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She had Burkitts Lymphoma.

[jaxs mom]

There are different types of lymphoma, I've never heard of it being diagnosed from bone marrow. Mine was diagnosed with a biopsy from my swollen lymph nodes. I'm technically considered cured now since I've been in remission long enough.

[Abrowneyegirl]

Please (both you and your family) reach out to you local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There you will find up-to-date information, treatment options and support groups.

All my best.

[chessylady]

Getting back to everyone. My brother does not have lymphoma but they are still trying to address his platelet problem. They have tried steroids with no success. They are trying another medication soon. If that fails, he may have his spleen removed. Thank you for your input.

[jaxs mom]

Thanks for updating, I'm sorry they haven't been able to figure out exactly what is going on. That is frustrating.

[SouthwestGal]

Low platelets also known as thrombocytopenia can be caused by a variety of issues such as cancer therapies or cancers like lymphomas and leukemias, which you state he does not have, but also autoimmune disorders such as lupus and RA, or an enlarged spleen; the spleen holds onto platelets (1/3 of all platelets are held there). Is his spleen enlarged & that is why they wish to remove it? When the spleen is enlarged, it will hold onto too many platelets & so the platelets will not circulate into the blood. But enlarged spleen is usually due to something, such as cancer or severe liver damage. My mom passed from myelofibrosis, another condition that would enlarge the spleen (her 1st symptoms were fatigue, easy bruising, enlarged spleen), as it is a bone marrow disorder. Her immune system was so compromised, she died from the secondary infection pneumonia from the splenectomy, bless her heart. Miss her every day. I hope they can find out what's happening & treat your brother successfully. God bless.