POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: GSOgymrat on November 24, 2007, 02:11:43 am
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Thought I would update on my partner’s progress. To recap he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma with multiple tumors back in August and has been undergoing chemotherapy. He has had 6 of 12 treatments and just had a repeat PET scan, CAT scan, etc. The tests indicate the largest tumors, which were in his neck, are gone! The tumors in his chest and abdomen have all reduced more that 50%. It appears the two undiagnosed spots on his lungs are probably malignancies because they are responding to the chemotherapy but they have reduced from 6 millimeters to 2 millimeters. So this is great news!
He has experienced the usual side effects but is getting better at managing them. He initially had nausea and vomiting so badly he couldn’t even talk without having dry heaves. He has also had a lot of constipation and stomach problems. He’s lost his hair and dropped about 25 lbs. More seriously he developed blood clots in his neck and armpit due to the catheter in his chest.
Fortunately he has most of the side effects under control. The main problems he is having at this time are fatigue and muscle and bone pain. Vicodin helps but I think we have watched too many episodes of Intervention because he refuses to take more than 2 vicodin in a 24 hour period. Some days he feels okay and we go shopping or for walks. Other days he doesn’t feel well enough to leave the house.
Because he has been less secretive about his cancer this time around he has had a lot of support. His parents stayed for a couple of weeks to help out. When I am working friends come over and bring food, clean house, give him a massage, do the yard or just keep him company. He has a lot of people praying for him.
If all goes as planned February 5 will be his last chemo. We are very optimistic and look forward to our lives getting back to normal.
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I am glad to know things are progressing in the right direction. Hang in there!
Pat
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keep the faith. Its a hard battle but he has a strong will and will overcome this struggle. We are saying prayers for the both of you.
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I'm glad to hear that the treatments are working and the tumours are shrinking..that is good news.
Is his Doctor going to put him on Warfarin?... not sure what you call it over there, it's for thinning the blood clots, I would be concerned about that, please let us know how things progress.
Thinking of you both.
Hugs
Jan :-*
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Thank you for the update Ford. It is encouraging. I hope things continue to progress this well and am glad you and your partner has plenty of support this time around.
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Glad to read this optimstic update. All the best to both of you
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What great news! I'm so glad he has gotten the side effects under control also. I think they can be almost as devestating as the disease themselves. And quit watching Intervention! You better believe, even though I'm in recovery, that if I was going through everything he is, I wouldn't have a problem popping pain pills! ;)
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Hey Ford
So glad to hear that everything is moving in the right direction and he's responding well. I hope you both put all this behind you soon.
Matt.
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Hi Ford,
what a battle... chemo really sucks and brings back memories of taking "overdoses of AZT" with the weakness, muscle pain and nausea..
But what a great news to hear he is responding well to the treatment.
Wishing both of you a lot of courage and know that we think about you.
Thanks for posting the positive news.
hermie
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Well that was quite an update!!!! Thanks for posting it. Its so great that your partner has a lot of help. You are in my thoughts.
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I'm glad things seem to be looking better for both of you. Keep up the good work!
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Glad to hear things are going in the right direction. The woman who rents the suite in my house has just finished chemo for Hodgkins and I know now how brutal it can be! Hang in there and Feb 5 will be here before you know it.
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What a great update! Life's trials are always made easier by good friends and it sounds like you both have some great ones. Here's hoping the remaining treatments continue their good work.
Hugs,
Mike
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Very happy for both of you!
So glad things are moving forward in a positive waY!
I am very glad you get him out of the house when he is able. That is very important.
Add me to his long list of those praying for him.
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Hi Ford~
I'm so glad to hear of your partner's progress. Its nice to know that you have people to help out, too. My husband had non-Hodgkins in '96, and it ran me into the ground, taking care of him by myself for nearly a year.
You are both in my prayers.
~ Cindy
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Ford,
Glad to hear that things are going well with your partners treatment. I've had a go-'round with chemo myself, and can say for certain that it really blows. Big time. I will keep the two of you in my thoughts and prayers. My partner has a large golf ball sized lump that they will be removing after the new year. They are a bit tight lipped about what it may be, but I've seen lymphoma before, and this could be the start of it, we shall see...
Capt.Carl
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What a great relief for both of you...that treatment is brutal but effective.... so much better to have the support of many people and a variety of help...so few people are willing or think of the cutting grass..cleaning house kind of help..... if he has lost all his hair you can now be well matched "skinheads"
all my prayers and thoughts to both of you.
Nick
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ford.
Thanks for the post. I hadn't forgotten and was just sorta hoping things were going OK. It sounds like they are. In fact, both of you sound like you're doing OK and that you both have plenty to give thanks for.
robert
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Thanks for the update, Ford. Was wondering how it was going........rough, but looking good, eh?
You're still in my prayers, partner to gymrat!
xxx,
Mike
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As another has said, that is encouraging news about the tumors shrinking.
I watched my mom go through chemo and know what it can be to witness the effects of the treatment. That he has weathered them as well as he has is a testament to your partner's strength on many levels.
Here's hoping for all the best.
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Ford... Stay strong for him... He certainly is holding his own with those results, thats the best Thanksgiving news I have heard all week...
E
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Ford, you guys are holding up amazingly. Thanks for the update. That's major and very encouraging about the shrinking tumors.
Good to know you two have friends and loved ones who are supportive. What a difference that makes.
Praying for you both to get through successfully.
Cheers,
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Very glad to hear the encouraging news and wish you and your partner all the best.
You both seem so fortunate to have each other and ony my best for both of you as fight through this toward better times.
:)
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Hi GSOgymrat
just was willing to wishes you the very best in your battle.
I was also willing to tell you congratulation for the wonderful support you are providing to your partner !
Your partner is very brave, and I was also willing to tell him congratulations ! Do never give up.
May you then both return to your normal and very happy life for a long long time.
God bless you all
J.
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sounds like it has been a tough road but it is good to hear that things are looking good.
peace and good things!
bry
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Thought I would update on my partner?s progress. To recap he was diagnosed with Hodgkin?s lymphoma with multiple tumors back in August and has been undergoing chemotherapy. He has had 6 of 12 treatments and just had a repeat PET scan, CAT scan, etc. The tests indicate the largest tumors, which were in his neck, are gone! The tumors in his chest and abdomen have all reduced more that 50%. It appears the two undiagnosed spots on his lungs are probably malignancies because they are responding to the chemotherapy but they have reduced from 6 millimeters to 2 millimeters. So this is great news!
He has experienced the usual side effects but is getting better at managing them. He initially had nausea and vomiting so badly he couldn?t even talk without having dry heaves. He has also had a lot of constipation and stomach problems. He?s lost his hair and dropped about 25 lbs. More seriously he developed blood clots in his neck and armpit due to the catheter in his chest.
Fortunately he has most of the side effects under control. The main problems he is having at this time are fatigue and muscle and bone pain. Vicodin helps but I think we have watched too many episodes of Intervention because he refuses to take more than 2 vicodin in a 24 hour period. Some days he feels okay and we go shopping or for walks. Other days he doesn?t feel well enough to leave the house.
Because he has been less secretive about his cancer this time around he has had a lot of support. His parents stayed for a couple of weeks to help out. When I am working friends come over and bring food, clean house, give him a massage, do the yard or just keep him company. He has a lot of people praying for him.
If all goes as planned February 5 will be his last chemo. We are very optimistic and look forward to our lives getting back to normal.
Ford, thank you so much for the update. So glad to hear of the improvements and hope things continue to get better. I will be keeping ya'll in my thoughts. Cristy
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Great news and my prayers are with you both. Sunseeker
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Ford,
I am glad to hear this news! He has responded well to treatment -- that's fantastic! I know you will be glad when February gets here, and he can take that final treatment....
hugs, and still keeping you BOTH in my prayers....
Alan :-*
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Thank you all for the support and prayers. I really appreciate it and will keep you updated.
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Great News!
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Today was the big day. After 12 rounds of chemotherapy my partner got his test results and he is 100% cancer free! We are both thrilled and relieved. He is officially in remission and will need to get a CAT scan every 4 months but the prognosis looks good. It's been a very long road. My partner is looking forward to getting the cather out of his chest, being able to taste food, not feeling achy all the time and growing eyebrows.
Thanks to everyone for their support and encouragement.
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Ford.
this is such great news. I so happy for both of you.
Why do I always feel so good when I hear the words, "I am a cancer survivor?"
robert
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Great news Ford! ;D
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Hey Ford, thats good to hear, and fantastic news. Best of everything to you both.
x
Matt
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Hello Ford,
Glad to hear that everything is going along well. Wishing you and your partner the best..
Ray
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That's wonderful news, Ford. It was all worth it.
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Aw, that's fantastic news, Ford! I'm so happy for you both. I know I didn't post in this thread before, but that doesn't mean I haven't had you two in my thoughts. Thanks for putting a smile on my face today. :)
Hugs X2,
Ann
xxx
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Hi
Thats great news. I hope his eyebrows grow back!!!
Joel
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That is wonderful news indeed!
I'm happy for the both of you.
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Ford -- thanks for sharing this excellent news.
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fabulous news, i am so pleased for you both ;D ;D ;D ;D
lots of love
xxxx
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That's wonderful news Ford ! I am so glad. Now that he has made the difficult struggle through treatment, he can begin to "live" again now, and hopefully grow stronger and feel better each day.
hugs,
Alan
PS - ask him if he needs me to send him an eyebrow pencil ;)
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Beautful news Ford!! ;D
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Hey Ford,
That is absolutely fantastic news! ;D
Please give your honey a big hug for me. This is definitely some of the best news I have heard in quite a while.
Thank you for sharing.
BIG HAPPY HUGS,
Mark
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So happy to hear your good news. Cristy
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So happy to hear your good news. Cristy
Me too. ;D
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I'm so glad for both of you!
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Great to hear! Congrats to you both!
Snow