First off, let me thank everyone that has offered help to me and Christine. Honestly, I don't even know what to ask for right now, but I am sure things will crop up and I am extremely thankful for the outpouring of support thus far. Everything is moving extremely fast right now, which is mostly a blessing because the quicker I can get treatment the quicker I can get better. At the same time life has been warped into a hectic pace and we are still adjusting. We think the easiest method of giving everyone updates will be right here instead of tying up the phone for hours on end anytime there is new info.
The initial diagnosis is stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which means I have more than one swollen lymphnode in me. The ones I know about are two in my neck and two in my chest. The pathology report from my biopsy isn't fully complete yet, so there is a small possibility that it could change, but that isn't likely. For those who don't know much about Hodgkin's Disease click here. This is what I will be going up against for at least the next six months.
As of Tuesday, March 20th I had an oncologist. Dr. Amy Lang (more info) will be leading me through my treatment at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center (more info), which will be 12 rounds of chemotherapy (more info) beginning Thursday, April 5th and lasting for the next six months.
On Friday, March 23rd I had a PET scan (more info) which should show where else the cancer is in me. Also, I have already had a bone marrow biopsy to help nail down the stage and results from that should be back within two weeks. I will also be having a Port-a-Cath (more info) inserted into my chest on Tuesday, March 27th to make it easier to hook-up with the chemo IV over the next six months.
The good news is that so far I haven't experienced any of the other symptoms such as fevers, weight loss, fatigue, or night sweats. Hopefully it will stay that way until I get my first round of chemotherapy which I am told will immediately begin to shrink my swollen lymphnodes and take away my itchiness.
That's everything for now. I'm sure I forgot something though and Christine will remind me and I'll have to update this post again!
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I will be posting updates on my health in this space as I go through treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
7 comments:
Dearest John,
I hate this for you!
I will keep in touch through this, but if there is anything I can do at anytime, pick up that phone and CALL ME!!!
Cousin T in Houston
Hey John--
I just heard the news...This really sucks. But hey, it's all about keeping a good attitude from this point on. Keep your head up and you'll get through this! --Natassia
Stay Strong John!
You will beat this, call if you need anything!
VR
Hey John. I heard a couple of weeks ago, and want you to know that Rob and I, and our family are praying for you. We would love to help you and Christine out in ANY possible way. Head up, stay strong!
~Erica
This is your "Hall Family" in Bristol! Mark, Monica, Stephanie, Brooke and Taylor. We are praying for you and Christine and will not cease.
Mark and family
Hang in there John. The Greene family is with you. If you need anything call us!!!!
Hi John,
I'm enjoying reading your updates - glad to see you've kept a sense of humor :) I've passed your website along to many of my friends and also put you on the prayer chain at church, so you have hundreds of prayer warriors praying for you - for strength, patience and perserverance. Ronny used to tell me that his cancer battle was harder on me than it was him because at least he felt like he had a job to do. I'm sure it's the same with your wife and parents... it's not easy to sit by and not be able to do anything, so we will pray for patience for them also! Take care of yourself and let me know if there is anything I can do to help -
Love to all,
Carol
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