Receptor Bound
Bluelighter
First off, thank you to anyone who has decided to post their information here.
Second, if I posted this thread in the wrong sub-category, please move me into correct location with my deepest apology!!!
Anyway, as a 32 year old relatively healthy male I have been diagnosed with cancer. Quite a kick to the head after simply having a swollen Lymph Node under right arm (location is called the "axilla" or armpit) that was removed in fear of aggressive growth. Turns out that the softball-sized mass was a malignant tumor filled with several cells such as white and red blood cells and the majority of cells belonging to those concluded as active and mummified T-cell lymphocytes.
The above surgery to remove cancerous mass was on June 19th, 2010.
June 21st, 2010 ~ Official diagnosis from tumor biopsy showed: Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkin's Lymphoma
CT-Scans & Blood work for staging showed: Stage IIIIB Aggressive (since the cells have migrated from lymph nodes above my diaphram to lymph nodes below my diaphram.
Additional Blood Work shows no cancer in blood stream as of this time.
Bone marrow biopsy shows no cancer located in the bones or bone marrow at this time.
Prognosis: >60% chance of non-repeating cancer complication (no cancer)
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My treatment consists of 'ABVD' chemotherapy (detailed info on these specific Chemo drugs can be found HERE!)every other Wednesday for 4 months (8 total chemo's). After that, radiation therapy to kill off any lingering cell growth...either pinpoint radiation or full-body depending on the situation. I see my oncologist/hematologist each time before I start that week's chemo treatment just to have my lymph node's examined for any changes in size or feel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am now four chemo treatments down with only four more to go (5th one is later today...it's 1am CST, appt & chemo @ 9:30am CST.
Because I have reached the half-way point in my chemo treatment, my oncologist order some tests to help us (including himself) figure out where I stand right now, whether Chemotherapy is working and if there should be any changes to the forthcoming chemo treatments and radiation therapies. These tests (if anyone cares) that I had done this past week were: PET-CT Scan w/digested contrast; full MUGA (Heart blood inflow/outflow regime amount & timing scan) as well as whether chemo has weakened the walls of the heart any; and lastly, a P.F.T. (Pulmonary Function Test) which is use to read the amount of strength my lungs currently hold during 'blasting', gasping, inhaling fast, exhaling all air I possibly could.
Atleast the Respiratory Therapist who ran the test told me that my lungs do not seem to have any issues and work at the level that they should when compared to a non-smoking male not recieving chemo medications.
***Later today (Aug. 25th 2010) is my 5th chemotherapy. Before that is my oncologist appointment. I'm both eager & a bit scared pertaining to the results the PET scan and MUGA test show. This is a HUGE deal to me and this information can very well plan the near future for me as far as cancer treatment goes. I will know soon enough and I would be MORE THAN HAPPY to share this info w/anyone who would like to know.
In a personal note....I realize that I have a lot of problems in my life, many I have no control over, such as birth defects and government ordered land spraying with pest/herbicide that ultimately affected the Gene make-up of Military Personnel's dependents, such as me...first born to a Vietnam Veteran Vet whom was in active duty throughout the time when Agent Orange was used to kill off dense folliage in areas where the Vietnamese could be hiding or using IED's.
Whatever the reason, I never would of guessed that I was going to have to battle against the 'Big C.' It's eye-widening and life-threatening and has caused me to spend limitless time thinking about my life and those who are close to it....you know, how I've treated them...whether it was right or not.
Hell, if I didn't have the love, support and even monetary assistance from my closest family and friends, I would be in such an awful position.
Thanks for reading!!!
***SO - do you or have you had cancer before? Do you care to share. It would be of MUCH help to me being that I was just diagnosed with cancer in late June. I'm trying to hold it together but sometimes the chemo gets me, sometimes remembering family who have passed due to cancer gets me...it's an emotional time.
Thank you (one last time),
R*B
Second, if I posted this thread in the wrong sub-category, please move me into correct location with my deepest apology!!!
Anyway, as a 32 year old relatively healthy male I have been diagnosed with cancer. Quite a kick to the head after simply having a swollen Lymph Node under right arm (location is called the "axilla" or armpit) that was removed in fear of aggressive growth. Turns out that the softball-sized mass was a malignant tumor filled with several cells such as white and red blood cells and the majority of cells belonging to those concluded as active and mummified T-cell lymphocytes.
The above surgery to remove cancerous mass was on June 19th, 2010.
June 21st, 2010 ~ Official diagnosis from tumor biopsy showed: Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkin's Lymphoma
CT-Scans & Blood work for staging showed: Stage IIIIB Aggressive (since the cells have migrated from lymph nodes above my diaphram to lymph nodes below my diaphram.
Additional Blood Work shows no cancer in blood stream as of this time.
Bone marrow biopsy shows no cancer located in the bones or bone marrow at this time.
Prognosis: >60% chance of non-repeating cancer complication (no cancer)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My treatment consists of 'ABVD' chemotherapy (detailed info on these specific Chemo drugs can be found HERE!)every other Wednesday for 4 months (8 total chemo's). After that, radiation therapy to kill off any lingering cell growth...either pinpoint radiation or full-body depending on the situation. I see my oncologist/hematologist each time before I start that week's chemo treatment just to have my lymph node's examined for any changes in size or feel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am now four chemo treatments down with only four more to go (5th one is later today...it's 1am CST, appt & chemo @ 9:30am CST.
Because I have reached the half-way point in my chemo treatment, my oncologist order some tests to help us (including himself) figure out where I stand right now, whether Chemotherapy is working and if there should be any changes to the forthcoming chemo treatments and radiation therapies. These tests (if anyone cares) that I had done this past week were: PET-CT Scan w/digested contrast; full MUGA (Heart blood inflow/outflow regime amount & timing scan) as well as whether chemo has weakened the walls of the heart any; and lastly, a P.F.T. (Pulmonary Function Test) which is use to read the amount of strength my lungs currently hold during 'blasting', gasping, inhaling fast, exhaling all air I possibly could.
Atleast the Respiratory Therapist who ran the test told me that my lungs do not seem to have any issues and work at the level that they should when compared to a non-smoking male not recieving chemo medications.
***Later today (Aug. 25th 2010) is my 5th chemotherapy. Before that is my oncologist appointment. I'm both eager & a bit scared pertaining to the results the PET scan and MUGA test show. This is a HUGE deal to me and this information can very well plan the near future for me as far as cancer treatment goes. I will know soon enough and I would be MORE THAN HAPPY to share this info w/anyone who would like to know.
In a personal note....I realize that I have a lot of problems in my life, many I have no control over, such as birth defects and government ordered land spraying with pest/herbicide that ultimately affected the Gene make-up of Military Personnel's dependents, such as me...first born to a Vietnam Veteran Vet whom was in active duty throughout the time when Agent Orange was used to kill off dense folliage in areas where the Vietnamese could be hiding or using IED's.
Whatever the reason, I never would of guessed that I was going to have to battle against the 'Big C.' It's eye-widening and life-threatening and has caused me to spend limitless time thinking about my life and those who are close to it....you know, how I've treated them...whether it was right or not.
Hell, if I didn't have the love, support and even monetary assistance from my closest family and friends, I would be in such an awful position.
Thanks for reading!!!
***SO - do you or have you had cancer before? Do you care to share. It would be of MUCH help to me being that I was just diagnosed with cancer in late June. I'm trying to hold it together but sometimes the chemo gets me, sometimes remembering family who have passed due to cancer gets me...it's an emotional time.
Thank you (one last time),
R*B
