Hi all:
As most of you know, my husband was diagnosed with stage IV lymphoma (lymph system cancer) in January. He went through the main chemo for it, finishing it in April, then had to wait 6 week for his post-chemo scan which was *supposed* to show 100% remission, but didn't. This was a bit of a surprise to our oncologist. He still has a bunch of retroperitoneal cancerous nodes, and something lit up in his COLON to an SUV of 10.6! He's finally getting a colonoscopy tomorrow (which he's been adamantly refusing for 15 years, even after I was diagnosed stage 4
) The colonoscopy will show, 1) colon cancer (probably not) 2) diverticulitis (hopefully) or 3) lymphoma spread to his colon (probably, and very, very bad).
We'll go see our onc on 7/17 (when hopefully the path will be back) and the day after are going to New England for 10 days. Our onc has already said she will want to put him back on chemo right away, but he wants to see his second opinion lyphoma specialist and try to negotiate waiting for another PET/CT first in another couple of months before re-starting chemo. However, this doc has already told our onc by phone that he would re-start the chemo promptly, so I think this is a little denial my DH is having. The chemo he will have to go on is very dangerous, and WILL be career ending. It is an overwhelming thought for him, I know. It also brings to the fore many scary things that will need to get done right away. He wants me do all these things, but not talk to him about any of them, which makes it a bit harder.
This chemo, according to our onc, will require him to be an inpatient for about 4 days every 2 or 3 weeks (I can't remember how long the cycle is) and he will have 4 rounds (more can be deadly). It is horrible on blood counts, and I've been told he will feel like incredible sh*t each and every day of the 4 rounds. For my friends here, if you could please pray for my stamina to get through this. It isn't about me, it IS about him, but I am very fearful that he will need more than I can provide. I am so fatigued, and have such a hard time getting around because of my back and ankle issues, and am not much of a driver anymore (but will have to be driving back and forth to the hospital constantly)...so, if you have some spare prayers, or good thoughts, etc, please pass them over. I am so tired, and very scared for what is coming...
Love,
Bev