So I just found out I have cancer..

[RobertK]

Good news guys.. Apparently the Hodgkin's hasn't affected my sperm yet so hopefully that's a sign that it is not that advanced.

According to the sample I gave today my sperm count was WAY above normal for a healthy 26 yr old.

I have my first PET scan tomorrow and I will know the exact stage of my condition on Tuesday of next week.

[e30pwr]

So far it sounds good! I hope everything turns out fine.

[TDE30]

Terrible to hear this, but like someone already said, having this at your age is much better than having it later on in life (40's or 50's). Your immune system is almost as strong as it will ever be in your life cycle. The idea of cancer would scare the pants off of anyone, just stay positive and don't lose hope. As cliche' as it may sound, it is true.

Best of luck and God bless,

[James Crivellone]

Everybody please chip in if you can: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=113264

[Vedubin01]

Thats very cool of you James, I can attest first hand medical bills can and will pile up more than one can ever pay off fighting Cancer!

[dmoney(AB)]

This is the same strand of cancer that my father had ~ 8 years ago. found out though the same way. biopsy on his lymph node. Did the chemo, I believe it was a year long session. Survived the chemo with hardened veins, still alive today. Has been dormant ever since the last chemo treatment.
Hang in there man, you'll make it.

[dave87325is]

Good news guys..

sounds great robert. we'll keep praying for you.

[BBY1104]

Wow I am really sorry, We are all hoping for the best and best wishes through treatment and curing it.

[AndrewBird]

My uncle had cancer in his mouth and after lots of chemo and radiation, he's still alive today. Been dormant for like 10 years.

You'll get through it. Stay strong.

[Scotaku]

Good news guys.. Apparently the Hodgkin's hasn't affected my sperm yet so hopefully that's a sign that it is not that advanced.

According to the sample I gave today my sperm count was WAY above normal for a healthy 26 yr old.

I have my first PET scan tomorrow and I will know the exact stage of my condition on Tuesday of next week.

I'll be praying for you, amigo. You're probably getting a thoracic exam which is anywhere from 30-45 minutes on the table... with your arms belted over your head. It doesn't sound that bad, but believe me it will ache. When you're done (if you get to read this beforehand!) pull your elbows together over you face and try to pull your arms down to the middle of your chest instead of just dropping. It helps!

As for the port, you will grow to appreciate it. Obviously it's better than getting a new IV in your arm for every drip but it's also not a central line or a PICC that has to be replaced every few weeks. Talk to your surgeon beforehand if at all possible and politely ask him/her to site it where your seatbelt will not interfere. My surgeon is a Porsche guy so he knew just what I was talking about. :) On days like today when I'm on the pump, I can drive and only worry about not tangling the IV tube into my shirt and the needle never gets mashed or sqaushed.

After your port surgery, get a script for some numbing lidocaine topical cream and dab it on under a large bandaid or gauze about an hour to thirty minutes before any port access. You won't feel a thing. You won't need it when the needle somes out but get ready to feel lousy...

Just expect it and try to plan ahead for it. I've have good and bad drips and I've been snippy with my wife and my dogs. It's not fair to them so try to really be careful about what you say and how you react to stuff that seems huge but you'll realize later wasn't all that.

[Ray Smoodiver]

Dude. I echo everything that's already been said. I wish you all the best and know you'll pull through.

[Stevie30]

You never told me you went to Thompson Steve... What did they have you in for?

I had Barrett's esophagus with high grade dysplasia. Emory University Hospital, in Atlanta, had me scheduled to remove the damaged area of my esophagus. I discovered an experimental alternative treatment study (voluntary) being conducted by GIA at Thompson in Knoxville. I qualified for the study and received the treatment totally at no cost to me. I was treated as an outpatient (5 year study). I am forever thankful to Dr. B.F. Overholt at GIA and Thompson Cancer Survival Center. Today, ten years later, everything is normal and I still have my esophagus. We'll discuss things in more detail around the next BBM campfire.

[Jand3rson]

I think it's great that all of you guys that have been through similar experiences are giving him tips and advice to help him deal with the treatment.

[RobertK]

I just back from my first PET scan and apparently I will have the radioactive "glows-in-the-dark" mod for 24hrs. So no baby handling for me.

I asked for a copy of my PET scan on CD and it was the hardest thing to make myself look at the scan but I made myself do it.

Here they are:

Left Clavical


Neck


Right Shoulder


So far it looks like 5 or 6 affected lymph nodes in the left shoulder. (in the pictures the right side of the picture is the left side of my body). I'm no doctor but I should know for sure if this is the case once the radiologist and oncologist looks it over.

I scanned the whole thing to make sure nothing had lit up around my diaphram. I held my breathe the whole time. (Hodgkin's spread to the abdomen usually = Stage III or IV which = much longer / heavier chemo treatments) And I cried when it appeared to be clear.

I then came onto R3v and found this thread....

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=113264&page=2

And I cried again and I'm sure when Tara comes home from work she'll cry more than I did.

Thank you... everyone so much... My grandfather died of this same disease just a few years ago and memories are fresh.. so it's been a mental war ever since I first suspected I had it.

Everyone's kind words and actions are so overwhelming. I've been more emo than a pregnant woman.

[joshh]

Anyone who thinks men don't cry is a girl.:nice: Oh wait....


So what did the doctors say about treatment and if they expect a full recovery??