My Dad

Hello everyone:

My name is Priscilla and my 64 year old Dad has NHL...again. He was first diagnosed with it in October 2006. The problem is, because he suffers from an enlarged heart and also has a diagnosis of congestive heart failure,  he cannot have the newer cancer treatments. His Oncologist had him on Procarbozine. It is a medication from the 1960's which was stopped in the 602's because of causing sterility and worse Luekemia. This medication however, is the only one my Dad can take because it won't affect his heart. He cannot have dairy, avacado, pickled items. bananas, smoked meats, or aged meats, due to them causing severe reactions with the medication. He was in and out of the hospital because of complications of the chemo and his blood pressure and diabetes. Finally, in April of 2007 the Cancer was gone. We were all so happy!

January 08, 2008 it's back. Stage 3 and spread all over his chest and esophagus. He is constantly coughing. Again, the Procarbozine is the choice chemo drug. He is so weak and tired. He had only has one treatment so far and he can barely walk. I ravel daily to take care of him. He is too stubborn to move in. He lives by himself so I constantly worry if he is taking all his meds, eating, resting. It is so hard! He has family in Texas that are too involved in their own lives to stop and help. He has one brother that is married and retired. His brother lives minutes away from him yet conveniently always has other stuff to do. I am married to and have 2 school age kids and one pre-schooler. I suffer from Fibromyalgia and battle my body each day to move. My Dad is tired and weak and is considering quitting treatment. He doesn't want to suffer. I know that I have to support in whatever he chooses but it is so hard. I love him so much and he means the world to me and my family. I need help on how to do this. I am scared of not being emotionally strong enough for him and my family. I need to prepare myself for the rest os this journey. How? How long does this evil Cancer take to selfishly take my Dad without treatment? How long will he have left to be with us? How do I cope?

I'm so sorry for what you're going through with your dad.  I do understand because my Dad was diagnosed with NHL on January 9, 2008 and he just got all his test results back yesterday.  He's in the beginning of stage 4 because the cancer has spread to his bone marrow but isn't present anywhere else, other than in his lymphatic system.  He's getting a second opinion next week so treatment hasn't started yet.  He's only 62.  I'm very scared, as I know you are.  My heart really does go out to you and I do wish I knew how to cope as well. 

I forgot to ask you..what did the doctor say the prognosis is? My dad's oncologist is so brief and avoids our questions. I wish my dad would go for a second opinion elsewhere. But he insists the doctor knows what he is doing.

Knowledge is powerful.  My dad was just diagnosed with Stage 4b, grade 3 lymphoma.  I found a site that is so helpful and packed FULL with knowledge.  Don't miss out on it.  www.lymphomasurvival.com .  HOPE began here for me.

Best of health

Hi, my name is Shelly. My husband was disgnosed with Highly Aggressive No-Hodkins B Cell Stage 4 Lymphoma in April 2007. He completed 8 rounds of very aggressive CHOP and rituxin chemo. He was admitted for 4-5 days every 3 weeks. He had to have a port put into his brain so they could also administer chemo to his spine. He has tumors in his spine also. He was doing very good as of Nov. they said on all the scans it seemed there were no sign of cancer. Well, in the last 2 weeks, he has all the sypmtoms again!!! Losing weight, poor appetite, rash, and all his joints hurt again. He goes in on Thurs. for his check-up!! I'm freaking out!!!! He is only 33 years old..................................So, I know what you are going through. Thanks for listening

Shelly

Shelly,

I am not  by any means an expert, but from my experience with my Dad I believe the agressive lymphoma often returns. I am not 100% sure but I think that is what the Doctor told us. I will keep your family in my prayers.

Hi, did your dads lymphoma come back then?? My husband was to go to the Dr. today, but the weather and roads made  him stranded and he missed his appt. they rescheduled it for Tuesday, but tonight he started running a fever of 103 degrees. I'm scared. We gave him tylenol, a double dose, and it was down to 101.4, he went to bed. I think we need to get to the Dr. tomorrow. I'm really scared. A good friend of mine died after about a 7 year fight of Hodkins Lymphoma just 3 weeks ago. His came back 3 times. I was told by a friend, if you have cancer and it comes back even once you will never get rid of it........do you think that is true? Thanks for replying. Take care.

Shelly

Hi, how is your dad doing? Hope he's getting better. It's so scary, an everyday battle!! I am so jealous of our life before CANCER!! It seems we will never get quite back there. Just was thinking of you. I'll say prayers for your dad......

Shelly