Well, my father has cancer.

[JC316]

Well, results are finally in. He has Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He gets to go get a bone marrow biopsy and a PET Scan the day after Christmas.

I don't even know what to do. I have an amazing relationship with my father and can't even imagine anything happening to him.

What type? Follicular? My dad has had it since 1992. Been in remission for 4 years now after a bone marrow transplant.

[Snatch Napkin]

That's good to hear.

Admittedly, I'm having to research to better understand what you're working with.

[bluecollar]

I'm so sorry. Any word on prognosis? I mean, I looked up the general stats, just not sure how his specific diagnosis relates.

I have not yet had to deal with the loss of a parent and am dreading it as my parents are getting up there (late 60's now).

Not sure of all details at the moment. From what I understand, the marrow biopsy and PET scan will tell us what stage, and which type. Everything is being passed to me through my mother, so I only know what she is telling me. I'll find out more info this weekend when I am down there with them.

He has always been a pretty healthy guy, all things considered. But, he is 64 years old, which makes things a bit more concerning.

[Scott Mc]

Shit man, well you know what you are up against. My dad has been fighting almost stage 4, rapid NHL for 3 years now, he has had all the tricks done. Please feel free to hit me up if you have any questions or want any of my dads doctors info. He is still here and only had an 8 to 18% chance in the beginning.

[bluecollar]

Shit man, well you know what you are up against. My dad has been fighting almost stage 4, rapid NHL for 3 years now, he has had all the tricks done. Please feel free to hit me up if you have any questions or want any of my dads doctors info. He is still here and only had an 8 to 18% chance in the beginning.

Thank you. I'm sure I will take you up on that. I assume (based on what veeeery little I know) that he falls into the Indolent category rather than aggressive. But, I am just guessing, so who knows.

[Chili]

From what I quickly scanned, the "aggressive" version actually has a higher "cured" rate than indolent. Stage, age, and a couple other factors were the biggest factors in prognosis based on what I read.

[Sean88gt]

Here's hoping your dad recovers

[Scott Mc]

That is good news, some pointers for ya. Do your own research, the doctors give absolute minimal information. The lack of info can be misleading at times. After the bone marrow transplant it can take up to two years for his system to recover, his immune system will bone reset and it will have to rebuild (pretty much like he has been reborn, several immunizations will have to be readministered). Also on the research, don't let it scare you. The first few weeks were an Asswhipping trying to get as much info as we could. Also avoid letting your pop talk to other patients, their stories scared the shit out of my old man (he was only 55 and most the patients were a lot older). That is all i can think of off the top of my head. Oh, my dad was cleared in March.

[JC316]

That is good news, some pointers for ya. Do your own research, the doctors give absolute minimal information. The lack of info can be misleading at times. After the bone marrow transplant it can take up to two years for his system to recover, his immune system will bone reset and it will have to rebuild (pretty much like he has been reborn, several immunizations will have to be readministered). Also on the research, don't let it scare you. The first few weeks were an Asswhipping trying to get as much info as we could. Also avoid letting your pop talk to other patients, their stories scared the shit out of my old man (he was only 55 and most the patients were a lot older). That is all i can think of off the top of my head. Oh, my dad was cleared in March.

Yeah, my dad had the "soft" bone marrow transplant where he didn't have to stay in the hospital. He caught a lot of damned colds in the last 4 years lol. I doubt they will start with the bone marrow transplant on the OP's dad, they will likely start with chemo.

My dad was an odd one for chemo, his hair never fell out and he gained 40lbs while on it.

[Roscoe]

Thoughts are with you and your family. Sorry to hear of this....

[Scott Mc]

Yeah, my dad had the "soft" bone marrow transplant where he didn't have to stay in the hospital. He caught a lot of damned colds in the last 4 years lol. I doubt they will start with the bone marrow transplant on the OP's dad, they will likely start with chemo.

If memory serves, they found it (groin), cut it out within a week, tested it, had him immediately in chemo and scheduled the Bone marrow. That was scheduled because the T cell procedure(supposed to be new). It was interesting, they hooked him to a machine that stole The "T" cells for injection after they killed the old marrow.)

My dad was an odd one for chemo, his hair never fell out and he gained 40lbs while on it.

My dad looked like he had the mange, it took me burring my head to get him to bic it lol. Funny part was it did grow back like a poodles coat and silver for a while(dad had fun with this, called it his 70's porn star do). My dad did too, the doc said it was a good sign, though this was odd because my old man was already 60 lbs overweight...

[Rick Modena]

Damn, that's real sad to read. Heres to a hoping for a healthy recovery for your dad, Russell...

[R1psycho]

Good vibes sent your way. Remain optimistic since you never know what the disease will end up doing. Good luck.

[JC316]

If memory serves, they found it (groin), cut it out within a week, tested it, had him immediately in chemo and scheduled the Bone marrow. That was scheduled because the T cell procedure(supposed to be new). It was interesting, they hooked him to a machine that stole The "T" cells for injection after they killed the old marrow.)


My dad looked like he had the mange, it took me burring my head to get him to bic it lol. Funny part was it did grow back like a poodles coat and silver for a while(dad had fun with this, called it his 70's porn star do). My dad did too, the doc said it was a good sign, though this was odd because my old man was already 60 lbs overweight...

Must have been a faster growing one. My dad was lucky enough to have a sister with compatible bone marrow. Only time my dad lost hair was with some spot radiation on the side of his head. Looked like Zorg from the fifth element.

[bluecollar]

Thanks for all the positive wishes, guys.

If he needs it, I hope I have compatible marrow as well. I just hate all of the waiting and wondering.