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.

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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.

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.

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) :cool:

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!

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.

Can the mod move this to its rightful place, please?