What is Non-hodgkins Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer arising from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells. It is so called because of its distinction from Hodgkin's disease, a particular subt...
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Brother just diagnosed with NMZ Lymphoma
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Hi everyone --
My brother, who turned 40 earlier this year, was just diagnosed with nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. It appears to be in stage two as his spleen is involved but no cancer has been found above his diaphram and his BMB came back normal. He started treatment today with Rituxan and he's also supposed to be getting Fludarabine, Mitoxantrone, and Dexamethasone. I guess they're trying to hit it hard because his CT changed a bit from a previous one when his lymphoma was first suspected in July. I was just wondering several things: 1) Does this sound like the "normal" treatment for this stage? What should I expect him to feel like so I can offer him the most support? 2) His hematologist said that I should let my own doctor know of my brother's lymphoma diagnosis because my odds of getting this too are increased because I now have a sibling with it. This way my doctor can follow up on anything abnormal. Has anyone heard of this being gene-related? It's so overwhelming and I'm trying to be as supportive a sister as I can be. But I feel it helpsto get more knowledge from people who have actually lived through this and are in remission instead of relying strictly on "write-ups" on medical websites, etc. Know what I mean? Thanks for listening and any advice you can give me about this disease. Tammy Posted on 09/19/07, 10:09 pm |
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It sounds like a typical treatment for this. Contact your local Leukemia-Lymphoma society and ask to speak to a first connection volunteer with the same diagnosis as your brother. It will then be possible to have a peer to peer phone conversation with someone who's been there, done that with his disease. Check out their website: www.leukemia-lymphoma.org 
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Hi Tammy,
Thanks for sharing your (brother's) story. I have spleenic marginal b-cell NHL stage 4 & I have an aunt who also had NHL. Last year my sister was diagnosed wirh Hodgkins Lymphoma & I have a brother with a different immune disorder. My Dr. believes there may be a genetic weakness in our immune systems. Some universities do studies on this such as U of M.Good luck with your brothers treatment. Sharon
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I'm really sorry to hear about your brother. Back in June I was diagnosed with Large B cell lymphoma, nothing below the brest bone. In July I started Rituxan,Cytoxan, Adriamycin,Vincristine,and Etoposide. I was only in stage 2, but they wanted to hit it hard b/c it was growing fast. It sounds like the treatment your brother is receiving is normal, especially for an aggressive cancer.
I don't know how long your brother will be on treatment, but I have been on chemo for four months, and my side effects have been major fatigue, I do get nauseous but not as bad as some people, and if he has been prescribed neulasta..just let him know that he may be feeling a lot of bone pain as the shot kicks in. And the best thing you can do is just be around. The worst feeling is that no one is around when you are going through a lot of pain. I hope everything works out for your brother. My prayers are with you.
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Sorry to hear about your brother. My Mom just passed from Large B Cell Lymphoma in August. She was diagnois with Stage 4 and she was 84 years old. She did chemo and after her 5th chemo she got pneumonia and never really recoved from it. The doctors discontinued her last treatment. The doctors only had her on a low dosage of chemo due to her age and health. I hear good things about treatment but at Mom's age we where up against a big battle. I did also contact the leukemia and lymphoma online and they help out alot. I took care of my Mom thru this whole experience and my God my heart goes out for anyone effective with lymphoma or any cancers. It sucks. If I can be of any help just write.
Good luck,
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