But I thought I ordered the fish - confusion on what I got

Okay a quick update as a few things have changed...

Recent pathology came back showing as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma , more specifically Primary Mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, as opposed to the previous determination that I had Classic Hodgkins Lymphoma.

This means one of three things:

• The original diagnosis was wrong
• The secondary diagnosis is wrong
• I had/have both types of lymphoma

PMH is pretty confident of the first diagnosis and the third option, while pretty rare, is starting to seem likely.  Those of you who used to do your Church Lady routine on me "Well aren't you SPECIAL" were actually quite correct.

Regardless, treatment and prognosis remain pretty much the same. 

I start with Rituxan on Thursday (this is new and is due to the change in diagnosis - Rituxan destroys both normal and malignant B Cells that have CD20 on their surfaces, and is therefore used to treat diseases which are characterized by having too many B cells, overactive B cells or dysfunctional B cells - i.e. my new diagnosis).  This is a pretty directed treatment and should be of good benefit as I did not have it the first time.

Friday I start the salvage chemo (GDP).  This is a harsher chemo bent on rapidly shrinking the tumor.

Both will be long days so thanks to those who suggested (or even better, provided) some films to keep me entertained (not sure about the recommendation for Brian's Song but otherwise okay).

Assuming I can stay on schedule then I look to be through the chemo, stem cell transplant and long boring hospital stay just prior to Christmas.  In other words, just after the Leafs are officially eliminated from the playoffs (that was a gimme to you Habs fans out there... don't worry, Price looks like he can take you to the promised land... hahahaha).

Anyway, I am not worried as I know I am good to last through Burke's 5 year plan and the next Leaf's cup.

Okay, that was not as quick as I promised.

All the best,
Rob

Dude - round 1 of chemo did not work... what is next

So as you are probably aware, I have lymphoma (and if you did not, my
apologies on the surprise).  I was diagnosed in January and have
undergone a full round of chemo ending in July.

I have not been writing everyone in mass updates as it seemed easier
to keep it personal and just reply when asked.  Since it now appears
that treatment for this is going to go on for awhile longer, I am
opting for the lazier, mass update approach.

It is looking like I will be doing another round of chemo as the first
one (ABVD) worked well initially but seems to have stopped at some point
after the CT scan was taken at the halfway point.  I am basically back
to where I started as the tumor has been growing since then.  Current tumor size is about 8
cm by 8 cm.

This next round of chemo is called salvage chemo and is a little harsher
than the first round would have been.  I have some stem cells removed
(used to later kick start my immune system) and then I get a big
dosage of chemo and this hopefully kills everything growing in my body
(as an adult there are a few things that we still have growing -
linings in the intestines and throat often suffer, my immune system
will get wiped out as it kills the bone marrow, but for the most part
the damage will be limited to the cancer).

Prior to this beginning, however, I have just had an open lung biopsy
(it sounds worse than it is) on Monday.  This is to confirm or deny
the original diagnosis.  It will also give me a cool scar to talk
about at parties (although it may require me wearing more open v
necked shirts).  A little trouble swallowing (no comments) but
otherwise not too bad.

Anyway, this is where I believe I stand at this moment.  Obviously
there are still some questions and the treatment may change depending
on the results of the biopsy (it is possible but unlikely that I have
2 different types of lymphoma and I may just need a different type of
primary chemo for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) but I will let you know.

Assuming that the original diagnosis is correct and I undergo the
treatment noted above, I may not be in contact much so I apologize in
advance.  I will be also be in hiding a lot as I will be very
susceptible to getting any sickness that anyone else has and will
therefore not be going out much.  I will be trying to get caught up on
various television shows and am willing to take must see movie
suggestions.

Anyway, this is just another bump in the road and will delay my return
to hockey but I hope to be back and as slow as ever for Ultimate next
spring.

I have done this in a hurry and may have missed people - I am fine
with you forwarding this as you feel the need.

All the best to everyone,
Rob