Diary of a lymphomaniac

[felixthelogchopper]

On a positive note..i once saw a movie with a very similar title to this thread. It had lots of happy endings!!!

 

Remind me to buy you a dictionary

[likeitorlumpit]

Hi mate,

Don't know you at all but firstly I'd like to say I genuinely really wish you the best of luck mate and hope in whatever the time frame may be, that you come back on here and tell us that it's gone and that your on the way to recovery.

 

I would also like to say, if you don't mind, would you be able to just give us a pointer as to what the symptoms are to look out for and how its officially diagnosed, to educate people and maybe help someone detect the lymphoma and just potentially give people that extra understanding of it. If you don't I completely understand but if you could it would be very appreciated as this is a scare I had myself last year after un-diagnosed illness that has affected me for over 2 years now which during that time my groin lymph glands have been swollen throughout, but I luckily was checked for this and it was negative.

 

Thank you if you can. Take all the support you can from friends and family and I personally believe the saying 'you are what you eat' is one of the poignant there is and especially during a time like this when your body will be put through such immense stress, eat well and rest.

 

Best of luck and please keep us updated as I genuinely would like to hear how you get on (however trivial) and want to see you on your way back to health

 

Lloyd

 

Thanks

I'm in detective mode coupled with various comments made by my consultant.

Symptoms- lethargy when not stimulated (when not having to do something)

Stomach pains- lower stomach

Funny pains in the neck- can't explain the feeling though

A general feeling that there is something inside you- if that makes sense

Then we move onto enlarged lymph nodes- these are all over your body but will probably be first noticed in your neck/armpit/groin

Causes- well they say theres no reason to blame anything I've done or not done

I sometimes wonder how safe petrol fumes are as we all get a fair few lungfulls every day and sometimes drive in a van with the windows closed on hot days.

There is talk about pesticides but I feel the ones we use are pretty safe (based on MSDS).

So- it's solvents and maybe this includes alcohol to some extent

Good idea- they say eat loads of broccolli/ cabbage/mediterranean type vegetables. avoid tobacco smoke.

That's about it so far.

The benzene link is by far the strongest/ likeliest for me as 30 years in the trade must have notched up a fair exposure.- No one medical is telling me this though so please make your own minds up.

After all it could just be one of those things.

I'll keep you posted as things are revealled.

And thanks for all the positive messages- just what the doctor ordered. I've gone from a very anxious individual to a calm fella in the space of 10 days. You wouldn't believe how scary it is when you wake up at 2am unable to swallow imagining the enlarged lymph nodes in my neck are restricting my wind pipe- Now when it happens I just put on the ipod and zone out.

[Lloyd Jerrey]

Thanks

I'm in detective mode coupled with various comments made by my consultant.

Symptoms- lethargy when not stimulated (when not having to do something)

Stomach pains- lower stomach

Funny pains in the neck- can't explain the feeling though

A general feeling that there is something inside you- if that makes sense

Then we move onto enlarged lymph nodes- these are all over your body but will probably be first noticed in your neck/armpit/groin

Causes- well they say theres no reason to blame anything I've done or not done

I sometimes wonder how safe petrol fumes are as we all get a fair few lungfulls every day and sometimes drive in a van with the windows closed on hot days.

There is talk about pesticides but I feel the ones we use are pretty safe (based on MSDS).

So- it's solvents and maybe this includes alcohol to some extent

Good idea- they say eat loads of broccolli/ cabbage/mediterranean type vegetables. avoid tobacco smoke.

That's about it so far.

The benzene link is by far the strongest/ likeliest for me as 30 years in the trade must have notched up a fair exposure.- No one medical is telling me this though so please make your own minds up.

After all it could just be one of those things.

I'll keep you posted as things are revealled.

And thanks for all the positive messages- just what the doctor ordered. I've gone from a very anxious individual to a calm fella in the space of 10 days. You wouldn't believe how scary it is when you wake up at 2am unable to swallow imagining the enlarged lymph nodes in my neck are restricting my wind pipe- Now when it happens I just put on the ipod and zone out.

 

Thanks for that, found that very insightful

 

Good of you to post them too, who knows could potentially help someone else.

 

Symptoms sound horrible, but at least they've identified the problem and you have a diagnosis and can begin treatment.

 

I used Aspen for the first time today as my lungs seem to get irritated quite easily and think this may be a permanent thing as I would like to reduce my exposure to the chemicals produced from fuels, they can't exactly be good for you.

 

Anyway best of luck mate, your be fine, I expect just understandably scary. Stay positive, rest and eat well.

 

All the best

 

Lloyd

[GardenKit]

Sorry to hear of your illness, likeitorlumpit. I hope your treatment goes well for you. My brother in law has just finished some intensive chemo for a different type of cancer. He has had several chemo treatments over the last 25 years, followed by operations and has come through them extremely well.

This time however, he almost refused the chemo because of his unpleasant expieriences in the past, but he decided eventually to go ahead.

But this time he has hardly suffered at all and has been amazed at the difference made by the modern medicines.

 

It is important, as said by others, to eat well to keep your strength up, and to avoid contact with anybody who may be suffering from any cold or viral infections.

 

As regards the possible causes, I doubt you will ever know for sure, but benzene is known to be a possible cause, yet there is very little public awareness of this, so thank you for bringing it to members attention, it may help others.

 

Best of luck with you treatment, mate.

[Gareth Dalzell]

I worked for a guy on a farm before I went to college who had this also. I started just as he began his treatment as a relief milker and farm help. I remember seeing the "lining up" marks on his body where he got zapped. I also remember him talking about the taste of the drugs/chemo he was given. The process has improved greatly over the years. I was only 18 at the time so we're talking 25 years ago now, but I can still remember it. I reckon he must have been early 30's. A positive mental attitude is what kept him going. A wife and young family and a reason to make it through. There is light at the end of the tunnel. He,s still going strong over 25 years later, dumped the farm and has another mechanical related business now.

 

So assemble your reasons and go for it and remember keep your mind focused - you're not going to allow this to beat you.

[likeitorlumpit]

Update

Have today gone for pre chemo chat and it appears I have been put on a trial for a new chemical Ga101 or something like that- Early results have been very good with less side effects and a more specific approach.

Thursday it starts

I am extremely positive now having talked this through with various people who have been there and we are telling everyone.

Talking to the trials nurse it appears theres a totally different approach going on in medicine for these problems as they are getting close to identifying the gene which is responsible for the body going wrong. Now when they do this we're going to see massive improvements in cancer medicine. Bring it on.

Big up to those on here who offered a chat to help me through this-

[Neil Wilson - tree connection]

Hay buddy like many have said already were here and we listen.

My wife is a health practitioner with a special interest in nutrition so reading your thread I asked her if there was anything you could do to help yourself a little extra.

Anyways here it is, quit cafeen and sugar that means sweetners too. Check the labels of your food and drinks.

Be well.

Neil

[Lloyd Jerrey]

Update

Have today gone for pre chemo chat and it appears I have been put on a trial for a new chemical Ga101 or something like that- Early results have been very good with less side effects and a more specific approach.

Thursday it starts

I am extremely positive now having talked this through with various people who have been there and we are telling everyone.

Talking to the trials nurse it appears theres a totally different approach going on in medicine for these problems as they are getting close to identifying the gene which is responsible for the body going wrong. Now when they do this we're going to see massive improvements in cancer medicine. Bring it on.

Big up to those on here who offered a chat to help me through this-

 

Fantastic

 

All the best mate, hope everything goes well, best of luck

[stampy]

My step dad was diagnosed with NHL about a year ago - he had 6 months of CHOP therapy (I think) which made him a bit tired, but did the trick and he went into remission - him and my mum have just sailed through the Panama canal, resuming their massive sailing trip that the cancer interrupted. He's absolutely fine now, regained his strength (and his hair) and is currently anchored in the Galapagos islands

 

Keep your head up mate.

[Andy Collins]

Things sound positive there, keep that vibe going and youll be fine