Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Ground & Other Ops Forums > Medical & Health
Reload this Page >

Lymphoma and getting back the FAA medical.

Medical & Health News and debate about medical and health issues as they relate to aircrews and aviation. Any information gleaned from this forum MUST be backed up by consulting your state-registered health professional or AME. Due to advertising legislation in various jurisdictions, endorsements of individual practitioners is not permitted.

Lymphoma and getting back the FAA medical.

Old 8th May 2015, 12:49
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Here and there
Age: 34
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Lymphoma and getting back the FAA medical.

Hello Everyone,

My husband has been diagnosed with Lymphoma. We are yet to find out which stage/type (Hodgkins or non-Hodgkins) he is at and how long the Chemotherapy would last. Has anybody here had the same experience with it? I understand it is a very treatable disease and we are hoping for the best.

Any information regarding that would be highly appreciated.

Thank you.
AW381JW is offline  
Old 8th May 2015, 16:02
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 2,956
Received 17 Likes on 11 Posts
There is a dedicated medical forum to post in:

Medical & Health - PPRuNe Forums
Bravo73 is offline  
Old 8th May 2015, 16:16
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: West Sussex
Age: 84
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi
I am a retired Helicopter Engineer, I had non Hodgkins about 4 years ago. I came back from a Far East holiday to tell my GP I had been doing too much swimming, as I had pains in my sides. He did not believe it was swimming, and sent me first for an ultra sound, then when that showed nothing, a cat scan, that showed enlarged lymph glands, and a specialist told me what it was. I asked him what were my chances, and he said about 50/50.
To cut a long story short, I had six doses of chemotherapy, a bone biopsy, a sample of lymph fluid done using the cat scan stopped in one place, a bone marrow biopsy, and three pet scans,(a catscan with radioactive dye injected into your system). I was also taking 12 tablets a day, and three injections of heparin to counter a blood clot.
The chemotherapy reduces your energy, and makes your hair fall out, it also made me feel the cold badly.
I am as far as anyone can tell completely clear, and feel normal, but the treatment takes about 2 years before you are back to normal
Hope this gives you some hope.
Dave B is offline  
Old 8th May 2015, 16:35
  #4 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Here and there
Age: 34
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you Bravo73.

Thank you Dave.
That helps. He has his on the sides of the diaphragm (upper abdomen), his neck and groin. We are keeping positive and hoping to get his wings back as soon as is possible after recovery.
AW381JW is offline  
Old 8th May 2015, 21:38
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: EGPT/ESVS
Posts: 755
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I had Non-Hodgkins in 2006. Hospital, surgery, chemotherapy…the lot. From going sick to getting my (UK) Class One medical back with no restrictions* took just over a year. It can be done!

* well, no more than before, that is. (have to wear glasses)
Floppy Link is offline  
Old 9th May 2015, 01:08
  #6 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Here and there
Age: 34
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks Floppy.

We met the oncologist today. He said it most likely is a Stage II Follicular Lymphoma and hoping 4-6 months. Fingers crossed!
AW381JW is offline  
Old 10th May 2015, 09:39
  #7 (permalink)  

Nigerian In Law
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: The stool at the end of the bar
Posts: 1,147
Received 37 Likes on 26 Posts
Hello AW381JW,

I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins in March 2012. As previous posters have said the newer types of chemotherapy make it very treatable. I had R-CHOP (an acronym for a cocktail of chemicals), which targets the T protein cells, stopping the lymphoma from reproducing. The shrinkage is very quick.

Unfortunately for me the lymphoma had wrapped itself around my small bowel effectively closing it, resulting in malnutrition. So after 3 cycles of 6 my treatment was stopped in order for an operation to be done to re-open my bowel. Because of this I ended up having 8 cycles in total.

This was rushed/botched so although I reached remission in March 2013 my digestive system was seriously impaired. This was finally rectified 3 months ago, after I was admitted as an emergency case suffering from a blocked bowel.

When they opened me up they saw my small bowel was hardly functioning. So they removed the impaired part (a tiny fraction of the total), and since then I have been 100% fit and healthy. Never felt better !

So the Lymphoma is very treatable these days, as long as there are no associated issues.

Good luck and my thoughts are with your other half.

NEO
Nigerian Expat Outlaw is offline  
Old 10th May 2015, 18:45
  #8 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Here and there
Age: 34
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Nigerian Expat Outlaw
Hello AW381JW,

I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins in March 2012. As previous posters have said the newer types of chemotherapy make it very treatable. I had R-CHOP (an acronym for a cocktail of chemicals), which targets the T protein cells, stopping the lymphoma from reproducing. The shrinkage is very quick.

Unfortunately for me the lymphoma had wrapped itself around my small bowel effectively closing it, resulting in malnutrition. So after 3 cycles of 6 my treatment was stopped in order for an operation to be done to re-open my bowel. Because of this I ended up having 8 cycles in total.

This was rushed/botched so although I reached remission in March 2013 my digestive system was seriously impaired. This was finally rectified 3 months ago, after I was admitted as an emergency case suffering from a blocked bowel.

When they opened me up they saw my small bowel was hardly functioning. So they removed the impaired part (a tiny fraction of the total), and since then I have been 100% fit and healthy. Never felt better !

So the Lymphoma is very treatable these days, as long as there are no associated issues.

Good luck and my thoughts are with your other half.

NEO
Hi NEO!

Thanks for all the info. I did hear something about the R-CHOP from the oncologist. He has the bigger ones mostly around his colon (~3 inches the biggest).

We are hopeful. Thanks again for the support.
AW381JW is offline  
Old 11th May 2015, 08:36
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Can the mod move this to its rightful place, please?
Thomas coupling is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.