June Updates

Keep A Positive Attitude - Like Kim's Blood Type!

June 28
I just got in from a week at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. As you know, we went there to finish the staging and to get started on the treatment. I really like my hematologist. He is very kind and informative. He said that he will not say I have HD until his pathology department says I have it. They requested that my tissue sample from the biopsy be sent up to Mayo so that they can make their own slides. (I brought the slides that were made at the hosp. in Tx where I had the biopsy - but they wanted to do their own.) Here is what I know so far:

- No HD in the bone marrow - the test wasn't fun - but it wasn't that bad either since it does not last long - I survived

- Blood work looks normal

- There is a spot on my liver - looks like a cyst - we'll do an ultrasound Tuesday to learn more about it

- If the spot on the liver is just a cyst as they suspect, I am still a stage IIA (nodular sclerosing)

My oncologist in TX said he'd to a treatment plan consisting of 8 months of chemo. Much to my surprise, the radioligist I spoke with (as well as my hematologist) said that they would do 4-5 weeks of radiation on the upper chest followed by a 3 week break. Then they might do 4 more weeks of radiation to catch the lymph nodes along the spinal column.) We did not finalize my treatment plan before I left yesterday for several reasons: concerns (stated above) with the liver, radiologist requested a pregnancy test (even thought I have my period right now), and lastly, the radioigist I met with is a real butt so I requested a new one. We'll meet Monday. I told my hematologist that I needed to feel comfortable and believe in my doc in order to do my absolute best in treatment. I told him that "this is my first time to have cancer"!!! He understood exactly what I was talking about. He set up an appointment for me with someone who is very qualified who is "easier to talk with". I'll meet with him Monday.

Anyway, nothing is set yet. I'll head back to Mayo Monday to tie up all the loose ends and probably get started with a simulator session (to set up the areas to block during radiation).

June 29
It doesn't appear that I will have to do chemo, just radiation. I feel like I have mini-HD compared to you (Diana), and some of the others I have read about. I feel lucky.

©1997 Diana L.E.G. Hinnrichs