My step-dad has been diagnosed with Lymphoma. :(

[4FoxAche]

He's been ill for some time now and from what I can gather they found a mass on his bowel which they removed and bi-opsied (sp?)

Mum just phoned to say he has Lymphoma. Now I have absolutely no idea what this means for him and I had a quick google and it sounds really serious but I know google-ing isn't the best thing to do under the circumstances so can anyone tell me what this means? What the treatment is? How successful is it?

Sorry to post here but there's more traffic here and being 6hrs away from hospital where step dad is and mum being there most of the time with her phone off I can't really find out what's going on.

This is one of the best sources of info - there are 2 different types of lymphoma :

www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Lymphoma/Lymphomaoverview.aspx

Thanks for the link. Although I don't actually know what type he has.

Going to read properly now.

So sorry, what a shock for you, and being far away makes it all the more troubling.

Lymphoma is - VERY basically - a cancer affecting the lymphatic system. It presents primarily in two forms; non-hodgkins lymphoma, and hodgkins lymphoma, with the differentiation based on which cells are affected.

Both may be treated with chemotherapy, success is based on what stage of the disease process he's at. He may well have a myriad of blood tests, may have CT/MRI scans (which will allow a more accurate 'staging'), be referred to specialist oncologists, then commence appropriate treatment.
He's in the right place, and on his way to being treated.

The lymphoma society is very good . Do not google anything seriously it will really scare you . Been there and worn the T shirt with DH . Non hodgkinson low grade lymphoma . . Its been 8 years now and still going strong . Be there for your mum because step dad will get all the attention and rightly so but I found the carer didnt get asked how they were coping . Hope this helps and hope all goes well for you .

The Lymphoma society will definitely be a great help and most areas have a local support group which will help provide more information and emotional support for all of your family.
My Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle cell lymphoma three years ago. I agree with seriously that you need to proceed with caution when looking for information via the net as each case can differ greatly. Lymphona is sadly becoming more and more common and a lot of research and trials are being conducted on treatments that provide more positive outcomes.
My Dad has had two rounds of chemo followed by a stem cell transplant and bless his little cotton socks he's still in remission despite his initial prognosis being dire. The chemo (R-CHOP normally) is a strong one, however my Dad managed to continue working (site-manager) through his treatment, only taking time off for hospital appointments and he only had 4 months off work for the transplant, for a man in his sixties, he was an inspiration.
I hope everything goes well for your step-dad OP. I'll be thinking of you.

Thank-you all very much.

Had a longer chat with mum today.

Treatment can't start until he is well again as he really lost a lot of weight apparently, but he is eating again and treatment will start ASAP.

His docs have said that even though he'll obviously be very ill during the chemo process, they should have him back to full health soon.

They where all very positive so I've stopped googling but have passed on the suggestion on The Lymphoma society onto my mum.

Thank-you again.

Like Seriously, my DH has Lymphoma. The spectrum is very wide, and some people like my DH who have very slow-growing but incurable disease can do very well on a "watch and wait" approach until treatment becomes necessary. My DH has been in this position for some time now, and we are hoping for treatment to be delayed for as long as possible.

Other Lymphomas need more urgent treatment, and it sounds like your step-dad is one of these. He may respond very well however, as the nature of this cancer is that the cells can sometimes be effectively targeted.

The links provided are very good - but remember that the internet is not always your friend!

Hi the first thing most people will tell you is DO NOT GOOGLE! As hard as it is, Google does have the uncanny knack of throwing up the worst case scenario's for some reason and that helps no one.

Secondly although it's hard try to stay positive for him, my 'adopted gran' (very close friend of the family) has had Lymphoma for almost a third of her life (she is 72 been diagnosed for 22) on and off and she still works etc, it has never stopped her doing anything and she is certainly very much alive :)

Every now and then (years) it does creep back in and she gets tired and ill during chemo but it's not long lasting and she goes into remission again.

I realise that this may not be useful to you but it shows there are some cases where it is not all that bad (would rather it was not there obviously) and the 'patient' can go on to lead a normal and long life!

Try not to worry too much and just live life with him. Support him when he needs it, laugh when he has too and most of all just listen and continue to love him and your time together. :)

Would agree with the do not google rule. Lymphoma is complex and in some ways confusing. I have an incurable form of it that can be managed. There are various treatment options. Contacting The Lymphoma Society is an excellent idea. Depending on the type diagnosed, there may be another more specific society that can be contacted.

I am tired a lot of the time and I have other side effects. But my doctors have been superb - tell your family to ask lots and lots of questions. They may probably set you up with a support nurse - which I have. She is the most incredible person and we make each other laugh, even about the darkest things.

I really believe that diagnosis is often the worst and most scary thing of all. It is like being punched. But he will get over that initial shock and with a loving family, work out the best course of action.

Lots of very good hospitals - make sure you get a good referral.

Cyber hugs. Sincerely.

My Dad has non-Hodgkins lyphoma nearly 2 years ago. He had a pain in his hip and his GP had referred him for a hip replacement Actually it was a soft tissue tumour on his pelvis which was destroying the bone. He then developed hypercalcaemia and wetook him into hosital ourselves. He was then diagnosed with NHL, but because it was so advanced by then we were told it was untreatable and were actually given 3 days for him to live. HOWEVER - we argued with the hospital and got him transferred to a cancer ward and 21 months on he is alive and well, the NHL has gone. He was on R CHOP and in hospital for 6months, which was very debillitating - he lost an awful lot of weight but has come through it. All he is watiting for now is an operation to rebuild his hip and pelvis as the tumour destroyed them, but that it imminent.
It sounds like your Step-Dad is in a much better place already then my Dad was, so hopefully has an even better chance. I just wanted to show that no matter how awful it sounds, they can get over it. Wishing him all the best.