August 2014
Hi Maria,
My mum was diagnosed Mesothelioma at 63 years old after going to her GP thinking she had the flu for a few weeks. The GP sent her straight to hospital as her lung was filled with fluid. After draining the fluid a couple of times doctors finally gave us the diagnosis. They tried to do a pleurodesis to seal the lung lining to her chest wall so they could remove her drainage tube. The procedure didnt't work so she was sent home with a portable drainage box and told she had 4-6 months. It was 5 months later she passed. Most days she was fine and had no pain just annoyed having to carry the drainage around. When the drain stopped working she was placed into pallative care in hospital in Melbourne & placed on morphine.
Just be there for your Mum, hopefully she will feel great as much as she can. All cases are different and as others have commented you may still have alot of time left.
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August 2014
Hi Everyone,
I was diagnosed with Large B Cell Marginal Zone Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in November 2013. The only symptoms i had was one evening after dinner i had extreme pain in my stomach. I was thinking it was bad gastro or gallstones. The next morning i went to my GP who ordered an ultrasound. The radiologist immediately looked concerned and told me there was something in my bowel and pancreas, she called the doctor who then sent me that day for a CT scan. My mind was just a mess. Results took 24 hours. Scan showed enlarged lymph node near pancreas and mass in the bowel. Booked in for colonoscopy 3 days later. Then waiting 3 days for results. When i seen my GP he was quite happy "It's not bowel cancer it's Lymphoma" I was referred to Peter Macallum hospital the following week where i had a Bone Marrow Biopsy, PET scan & Heart scan. It is also when i met my haematologist. All i can say is that she is the most wonderful doctor i have ever met. Her positivity eased my mind. We started with chemo ( 6 rounds of R-CHOP )after 3 rounds PET scan showed 90% reduction in disease ( Lymph nodes affected in abdomen, pelvis, chest & neck )No disease after 5 rounds. Then a Stem cell transplant & 17 rounds of radiation on my abdomen.
I find my biggest battle has been with fatigue. Treatment is complete for now and i am on 3 monthly checkups. As with everyone else i do worry about it returning but try to quickly knock it out my mind when those thoughts arise. My husband has been absolutely wonderful, the job of a carer is not an easy one. I also had to care for my dad who is a survivor of Lung & Brain cancer.
Stay positive!
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August 2014
Hi Shannon,
My dad who is 71 years old was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in 2007. Lucky it was only one small tumour & he had surgery to remove the lower lobe of his lung & there was no signs of cancer in any lymph nodes. In 2009 he had a seizure & they found a secondary tumour in the brain. This was successfully removed then followed by whole brain radiation. He coped very well with the radiation mostly suffered from fatigue & hives. He has had problems with his short term memory since the surgery. The long term side effects are that he has lost most of his hearing, balance with his walking and that's about it. At his last checkup last month i asked his doctor about the side effects & he told me that they really dont have any research as he is the 1 in 100 that has gone into remission. My dad never asked doctors throughout his treatment what the prognosis was. It was like he thought if he didn't ask they couldn't tell him bad news. Made me believe in positive thinking! It has inspired me with my battle with Lymphoma
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