Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

[BigSantoski]

Hello,

I was diagnosed last week, March 30th, with B-Cell NHL. I nearly fell apart that day because it caught me off guard -- I'm only 22 years old. I'm not quite sure how to feel now. Everyone tells me to stay positive, but all roads seem to lead to me dieing a young and painful death; or so it seems. My doctor says that it's low-grade, but from what I have read so far low-grade NHL resists treatment after the first few cycles. Is there any hope for me? Can anyone tell me what I can really expect, besides what the doctor says?

[ukfan]

I was 47 when I found a lump under my chin about the size of a marble. I was a nurse at the time and I didn't rush to the doctor. When I finally did go, I was admitted to the hospital immediately and had surgery to remove the lump. When I was told I had NHL, I thought my world would end, but I decided to start making jokes about have NHL, thinking positive, talking to my physician about my concerns, etc. I have to admit that the chemotherapy that I received was not pleasant at all. I had an allergy to one of the drugs, Rutuxin, and became very ill. I did NOT lose all of my hair. It was down to my waist, it just thinned out, I had nausea and vomiting, but my Oncologist saw to it that I had medication for it. I have had NHL for 7 years now and I am doing well. Sure I am tired, and have some neuropathy in my right leg, but I think my positive attitude was the best medicine for me. I think you should talk with your doctor and tell him/her everything that is on your mind. They will listen and help you through it. Just remember that a positive attitude is the best medicine. My doctor asked me one time if I was going to a tanning bed,(and I was) and I replied, "What's it going to do, give me cancer?" He said, "Good point" and we had a good laugh about it.

I wish you the best and I hope that you have a quick recovery. There are a lot of us survivors out here. I will keep you in my thoughts. Every day that you are alive is a good day. Don't think about dying......think about living life to it's fullest. I had the same diagnosis as you, and I am doing wonderful. Hang in there, and just live your life to the fullest.

[notimeforcancer]

Hey brother,

I am a NHL survivor and have a suggestion. First, you get your team together. Your team consists of anyone that you know that has knowledge in this area. Anyone who might possibly know a cancer doctor. Get as many people as you can. It can be the friend of a friend, it doesn't matter. Get their opionions on your plan of treatment if you have one.

Okay, here is what I did. My oncologist from Orlando (where I live) said to me if you were old we would probably treat you with chemo and radiation but history has shown us that with this treatment the disease will probably come back. But he said, your young and in my opinion the best thing going is at the Univ. of Michigan in a clinical trial with Dr. Mark Kaminski using a drug called Bexaar.

Long story short is, I was the last person to qualify but got it because I had the right kind of disease for the study. The procedure consisted of one injection of Bexaar. I never lost my hair or got sick. It did make me infertile. Luckily I stored some sperm (which I suggest) because I didn't know how it might effect my reproductive ability and sure enough it did. And 4 kids later life is good.

I suggest you look into this drug as well as others that are very similar but just slightly different. Some of these new drugs don't damage the body like chemo and radiation and it sure worked for me. By the way, Bexaar is now FDA approved. God Bless and good luck.