Just received GREAT News

[Chiefaholic]

My 2 year old grandson has been battling Lymphoma cancer for a while now. Test results came back today and he's officially cancer free!!! I'm one VERY happy "Papa" tonight.

[Chiefaholic]

Originally Posted by loochy

Awesome!

Is this the kind of thing that they think will be gone forever or is it like a temporary remission kind of thing? Is lymphoma a tough cancer to beat or is it one of the less serious cancers (if there is such a thing, but you get what I'm saying)?

The specific cancer he had was a stage 2 - Non-Hodgkins - Nodal Marginal Zone lymphoma cancer. It started with a small lump on his rright jaw just below his right ear. My daughter took him to his regular doctor and at that time he was diagnosed as having an infected salivary gland. The medication wasn't working and the lump under his skin was growing rapidly. So we took him to a specialist, they identified it as cancer and sent a sample to St. Judes in Memphis. When the lab work identified what specific type of cancer he had, the doctors removed the growth on his lymph gland in his jaw, but found five more on the back of his next ranging in size from a pea to a nickle. His doctor, Dr. Remi Pasipe, is a very intelligent lady who's been in the field for a long time and REALLY knew her stuff. She sat us down and explained in detail what he had, that chemo was the only option at his age, and that this specific cancer is the most common and had an 80% success rate at the stage we caught it in.

Cody (my grandson) had been going through regular chemo treatments roughly every three weeks. We checked his blood count weekly (occasionally bi-weekly) to watch his ANC count, WBC (white Blood Cell), RBC (Red Blood Cells), Hemoglobin, Platelets, etc. If his levels drop too low, he's extremely prone to infections, bacteria, and viruses. To keep his count up, I had to give him a Neupogen shot daily when the doctor requested me to do so. As a grandparent, it was really hard at first because he didn't understand why we were giving him shots. But, over time, he understood what we were doing and even asked if I was going to "poke his leg" and get his Sesame Street bandaid. When the nurse would use a lancet to prick his finger, he ask her if she was, "going to milk the cow" the last few times. Now all he has is one more chemo treatment, have his G-Tube and Pic Line removed, and get his blood count back to normal again. Then he'll have to do a check-up every three months for a while and gradually increase the time periods between checkups. I don't know all the specifics at this time on the frequency of check-ups.

Regardless, this little fella is tough as nails, and I'm one proud "Papa". I'm looking forward to many trips to the lake to go fishing, football at Arrowhead, and baseball at Busch stadium.

[bevischief]

Originally Posted by Chiefaholic

The specific cancer he had was a stage 2 - Non-Hodgkins - Nodal Marginal Zone lymphoma cancer. It started with a small lump on his rright jaw just below his right ear. My daughter took him to his regular doctor and at that time he was diagnosed as having an infected salivary gland. The medication wasn't working and the lump under his skin was growing rapidly. So we took him to a specialist, they identified it as cancer and sent a sample to St. Judes in Memphis. When the lab work identified what specific type of cancer he had, the doctors removed the growth on his lymph gland in his jaw, but found five more on the back of his next ranging in size from a pea to a nickle. His doctor, Dr. Remi Pasipe, is a very intelligent lady who's been in the field for a long time and REALLY knew her stuff. She sat us down and explained in detail what he had, that chemo was the only option at his age, and that this specific cancer is the most common and had an 80% success rate at the stage we caught it in.

Cody (my grandson) had been going through regular chemo treatments roughly every three weeks. We checked his blood count weekly (occasionally bi-weekly) to watch his ANC count, WBC (white Blood Cell), RBC (Red Blood Cells), Hemoglobin, Platelets, etc. If his levels drop too low, he's extremely prone to infections, bacteria, and viruses. To keep his count up, I had to give him a Neupogen shot daily when the doctor requested me to do so. As a grandparent, it was really hard at first because he didn't understand why we were giving him shots. But, over time, he understood what we were doing and even asked if I was going to "poke his leg" and get his Sesame Street bandaid. When the nurse would use a lancet to prick his finger, he ask her if she was, "going to milk the cow" the last few times. Now all he has is one more chemo treatment, have his G-Tube and Pic Line removed, and get his blood count back to normal again. Then he'll have to do a check-up every three months for a while and gradually increase the time periods between checkups. I don't know all the specifics at this time on the frequency of check-ups.

Regardless, this little fella is tough as nails, and I'm one proud "Papa". I'm looking forward to many trips to the lake to go fishing, football at Arrowhead, and baseball at Busch stadium.

Congrats!! Someone so young with a Pic line he is tough as nails. Was all his treatment at a local hospital?

[Chiefaholic]

Originally Posted by bevischief

Congrats!! Someone so young with a Pic line he is tough as nails. Was all his treatment at a local hospital?

They have a St. Judes unit at Mercy Hospice in Springfield, MO. They have an incredible staff that go above and beyond what a normal hospital would do. We'll definitely buy some new toys for children in St. Judes and do something for the regular staff.

[bevischief]

Originally Posted by Chiefaholic

They have a St. Judes unit at Mercy Hospice in Springfield, MO. They have an incredible staff that go above and beyond what a normal hospital would do. We'll definitely buy some new toys for children in St. Judes and do something for the regular staff.

That is what I was after let those that did a good job receive the support from the public that they deserve.

[R8ers]

Originally Posted by Chiefaholic

My 2 year old grandson has been battling Lymphoma cancer for a while now. Test results came back today and he's officially cancer free!!! I'm one VERY happy "Papa" tonight.

Praise the Lord, one of my best friends sons (early 20's) was just diagnosed... They are devastated

[PGM]

Awesome!!!!!!!!