Diagnosis - Good News / Bad News

I have Diffused Large B Cell Lymphoma, evidently the most common type of lymphoma. The good news is that it's treatable. This is an issue, because some lymphomas aren't. My late mother-in-law was diagnosed with one of these types and passed away within six months. Things look much brighter for me. Also in the good news department, Dr. K said I was in generally very good shape for an American 68 year old, which makes a big difference.

The bad news is that my lymphoma is aggressive. Doctor said frankly that I'd be dead in a few months without treatment. The lymphoma hasn't been staged yet, but will probably be stage 2 or stage 4 depending upon what is going on with nodules in my lung (which I think I explained a bit about in an earlier blog post).

Monday morning I go into the hospital. They will put a port in my chest so they can input chemo directly into a major artery near my heart. I will have three tests that day or on Tuesday - a PET CT scan to show where cancer may have spread, a bone marrow biopsy so see if cancer is there, and a bronchoscopy to get the lung issue sorted out. Along with the bronchoscopy, I will have a consultation with an infectious disease specialist.

Wednesday I should start chemo. The exact chemical or chemicals will depend on the results of the tests (especially the bronchoscopy). Dr. K said he might start me on something even before all the results are in. The first treatments will be so intense that he will do them right in the hospital. There is also a possibility I will be walking around at home later with a little tank of something pumping into me. I'll know more after the tests.

So, I'm relieved to know that it is treatable and the momentum has begun. When the results are in I'll talk to Dr. K about my chances of recovering and ask and how long before I am A) Feeling Better and B) Cured or well on that road.

I have a couple of more days at home, so I'll post again most likely - something rambling and perhaps funny. After that blog posts might be few and far between for a week or so.