blads blog

Continuing on from my last post on this issue way back in December 2015, my cancer commonly known as the "lazy cancer", officially titled Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) , is generally considered to be a indolent cancer type has decided once again to have a "rebellious teenager-like outburst". This time, it has occurred in the mediastinum region - which is the area located between the lungs which contains the heart, esophagus, trachea, cardiac nerves, and other juicy bits...  My lymphona is currently squeezing/compressing my esophagus, making swallowing food extremely difficult at times. I'm scheduled to get another 3 location tattoos, to enable easier targeting for the radiation therapy treatment planned over approximately four weeks. Staying positive... it'll be back to normal soon enough...

Way back in 2011 , I was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma, titled,  Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL).  It was considered to be totally non-aggressive and is commonly known as "the Lazy Cancer".  As  “it” was not causing me any concern or stress, it was decided that we would not interfere with it… So we did and watch wait approach and go on with our lives... Middle of this year, I started having "hip" issues and it turns it was a bursitis which was resolved very effectively with cortisone injection.  Shortly after that, started getting "back problems", nothing too much at first, then legs started to have "pins and needles". Late October, I finally had some "free time" to get into my GP and get CT scan... unfortunately another large mass (5.1cm x 5.6cm x 2.2cm) was found, roughly in the middle of my back which was putting pressure on my spinal canal / nerves. In I go for another biopsy... and again w...

Further to this post  I now have a biopsy result.  Earlier today, my specialist's advised me I have  Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). When asked about its aggressiveness… advised it is totally non-agressive and  is an uncommon subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). This disorder is differentiated from all other forms of HL, which are commonly referred to as classical Hodgkin lymphomas (CHL), by characteristic pathologic and clinical features. NLPHL represents a more indolent disease than CHL, and is therefore managed uniquely. Since this disease is rare, most information concerning treatment and outcome has come from reports of single institutions or pooled, multi-institutional retrospective analyses. It is their understanding that patients with NLPHL may not require as aggressive therapies and that the treatment standard of chemotherapy followed by involved-field RT that has been used in CHL may not be appropriate for NLPHL.  So fo...

Ago after my glorious holiday away during May-June, my doctors advised on a recent routine blood test, an slightly elevated calcium levels were present… this gave cause for concern thinking it was most likely an enlarged parathyroid gland… So, late June-early July off I go to get an ultrasound scan of my neck, which revealed no enlarged parathyroid however it picked up another lump… Now I needed a CT scan which the preparation can mess with my diabetic meds – just all I need… so off I go to have this CT scan and then the drama begins… Now mid July, my local GP refers me to a specialist who doesn’t tell me the test results but she wants to review the scan with others before discussing options with me…   At that stage I was advised I had Stage 3 Lymphoma. I got jack of that approach and contacted another specialist via my GP who thought that approach was just plain stupid and promptly scheduled a biopsy of the lump which was wedged between my carotid artery ...