I have a friend who has non-lodgkin's lymphoma. She is going to do radiation soon, which I think may say something more than I know. If you could help, please email me at lucky lady 422 at verizon dot net run it together. I would like to talk to someone on the phone if that would be possible. I think that something else is going on here that I can't figure out.
Thanks Mama Lynn
Posted 2 years ago by Lynn from PA 6/8 #
she had a nodule removed in her neck about 3 weeks ago, this is the diagonisis. But the problem I have is that they want to do 5 minute radiation treatments 5 days a week for 4-5 weeks. If this is not life threatening, which the dr say isn't, why not one treatment for 30 minutes once a week. I don't understand. And is the radiation treatment even necessary??
Posted 2 years ago by Lynn from PA 6/8 #
OOH! I don't know much about that. I bet that one of our nurse's do though! Prayers for you and your friend!
Posted 2 years ago by mollycat71 #
I am def no expert in this area, Lynn, but it may be that 30 minutes or radiation at a time is very hard on the body. When my friend went through this she couldn't tolerate very much at a time. It may be that all she can tolerate is 5 minutes at a time. Also, perhaps with that short time periods perhaps the radiation can be stronger. Wishing your friend the best of luck with the treatment and hugs to you and Kay.
Posted 2 years ago by paulajeanne #
Thanks MC and Paulajeanne, I appreciate the input. It could be hard on the body with that much radiation for 30 minutes or so. I am new at this. I feel that maybe she is not telling us everything and that's the reasons for my questions.
Posted 2 years ago by Lynn from PA 6/8 #
For those of you who have been around for a while, the Friend I am talking about is Grandma Lila. She lost 1/4 of her lung over a year ago to cancer and my friends here got me through a very tough time with this. They were helpful in answers to questions and giving me very much support.
She didn't have any radiation or chemo with that episode. Drs said it wasn't needed. Now this newest episode has me worried. This is not life threatening, so the drs say, yet seem to be aggressive in the treatment for this, but not the lung cancer, although that is in remission as is this lymphoma. So here is my question.
I thank you for listening to me and helping. Just trying to help a friend who doesn't know how to ask questions. Thank you.
Posted 2 years ago by Lynn from PA 6/8 #
Oh Lynn, I almost asked if it was Grandma Lila! The two (Lung and nonHodgekins) may not be related, but because it was a node which was removed, cells from the tumor could have spread through her lymph system. That's why the radiation is needed, to catch those cells before they can start tumors somewhere else. Her lung tumors may have been such that they hadn't had a chance to spread, and since they took so much of her lung, they didn't need to treat her system wide. We need to get some of our good medical people on this.
Posted 2 years ago by paulajeanne #
Thank you Paulajeanne for your response. Thank you for remembering Grandma Lila too, I thought you may have been around for that one. Let's hope someone else may help to give insight. I could use all the help I can get. You have most certainly done so, and I thank you.
Posted 2 years ago by Lynn from PA 6/8 #
PJ the drs told her the two situations were not related. But also said this one was not life threating either. I am just wondering why the treatment and does this one make this more serious. She also had a bone marrow test done, negative on that one. Good news, but I am just worried about how much more treatment and tests her body can take. She is weaker from every test, the anesthesia, (sp) and the worriement from the results of them all. My opinion is just stop already. You are weaker from the tests over these last months than whatever you may or may not have could do to you.
Thanks for listening.
Posted 2 years ago by Lynn from PA 6/8 #
Lynn, I'm afraid that without seeing some path reports and the doctor's notes, that anything I would say to you would be pure speculation. And I can see that you are so worried at this point that to "guess" wouldn't be of any help to you. However, it is not at all uncommon to do radiation treatments on a daily basis. Actually, it's probably more the norm. The radiation shouldn't bother her too much at that level. She may feel fatigued but hopefully not much more. Anytime that you are dealing with a disease in the lymphatic system, it is in the best interest of the patient to radiate the area. When incisions are made, and when nodes are removed, errant cells can break loose and migrate. The intent for the radiation treatment will be to isolate any cells that might be migratory and to stop them. My assumption can only be that when she had lung cancer, they felt confident that they had gotten the entire tumor. Also, it could be that because of her age, chemo was not a good option. Again, I don't know.
Has she had an MRI or CAT scan? A bone scan?
At this point, there are a few things that you can do to help her. One is to make certain that her diet is good and that she is taking in enough protein. Our bodies need protein for rebuilding after surgery or illnesses and she will definitely need to have a good balanced diet during radiation. If she tells you that she isn't hungry, try to get her to take two or three protein shakes a day. You can even use Ensure, put it in the blender with ice cream and a scoop of powdered milk, and it is a fairly complete meal. If Ensure is too expensive, Carnation Instant Breakfast is actually a close second. But you'll want to boost it with powdered milk, bananas, etc. She will probably do better to try and eat six small meals a day, evenly spaced. Cottage cheese is good, eggs, rich broths, cream soups, stews, etc. Peanut butter is also an excellent source of protein.
Finally, would it be possible for you to go to the doctor with her? She may not be willing to ask too many questions, or may not understand fully what the doctor is telling her.
Posted 2 years ago by WillowandWindismom #
WWM, thank you for posting, was waitng for you. She has had the Mri's, too many for me, cat scan and bone scan. All were negative. The bone marrow, negative as well. She eats very well, lot's of veggies and fruit, not as much protein, but does eat eggs. We make food, BBQ this summer, some things she can't eat due to teeth problems. We make other foods that contain meat and chicken in a cassorole type thing and she eats that. We make sure she can eat whatever meat we give her, by cutting it up real small. She does eat frequently though the day little bits at a time, so we are on track with that. She loves peanut butter and does eat it! I thank you for your input and I think you nailed it more than you think you would have.
We would love to go to the drs with her, either Kay or I. However, she feels she is so much of an imposition on us already, that she won't allow that. Also, we feel some members of the family feel we are a bit much also. We can only hope that she, or that family member will remember to ask the right things. I may give her a list of questions to ask the dr and have the dr answer them. Whether she remembers, will be another story! Not my family member, so I must sit back as a concerned friend, and wait for any news I hear. I thank you for your input.
Much Love Mama Lynn
Posted 2 years ago by Lynn from PA 6/8 #
Yes, I understand the problem of being in the position of not being family, but possibly caring more than family. Due to all of the laws on patient confidentiality, she must give her physician permission to speak to you. It is most vexing when you are trying to help someone and it really does tie your hands. Your idea of giving her a list of questions to ask is very good, though. She might be a little too nervous, or maybe fearful, to ask more questions.
It is very, very good that her bone scan was negative because lung cancer likes to spread to the bones. It sounds as though all of her tests results are very positive and good news. It could be that the nodule they removed was isolated and there are no others. In that case, the radiation would certainly be a good prophylactic measure.
It sounds as though you could sneak in a lot of good nutrition in shakes, smoothies, etc. It's amazing how much stuff you can add to a shake! And the powdered milk just boosts the protein, which is why it's good to add it. Also ice cream is an excellent thing to add. Yogurt would be a good choice for her, too. It is a problem with poor teeth, but if meat is shredded pretty finely hopefully it would be manageable for her. Ground beef, ground chicken, ground pork and ground turkey might be easier for her to chew. Potatoes of any kind would be so good for her, too. And plop sour cream on them.
She's very lucky to have you and Kay as friends!
Posted 2 years ago by WillowandWindismom #
Oh Lynn my heart is aching! My prayers are with you and Kay as you help Lila through this. I wish I could do more. My Mother-In-Law had radiation when the cancer spread to her lymph nodes as well. The chemo was killing her and they felt for a time radiation was her best treatment. Prayers to you all and please she if maybe you could go with her to an appointment.
Oh Lynn,
My heart is SO heavy to hear all this. POOR Gramma Lila! I had no idea. What a position you and Kay are in. My heart breaks for her having to go through all these tests, and I know it upsets you and Kay as well. HUGS to all! I just wonder if the radiation is really necessary? If it isn't life threatening...... I'll pray hard for her, and for the correct decisions to be made. I am so sorry..... Love you all!
Hi Lynn,First of all I am so sorry to hear that it is Grandma Lila.
I agree with WWM's excellent advice. Also I worked in a Bone marrow Transplant Unit for over a year. As I understand radiation is used for early stages of low grade lymphomas. Lymphomas are graded from I to IV depending on how far the cancer has spread,it is very good that the bone marrow is negative. If it is early and low grade and she tolerates the radiation alright it is not an urgent matter.
Those are many ifs here if you find out any more info or have any more questions please ask. I don't remember much more about it because we mainly gave chemo and the bone marrow transplants.
I hope this helps. [[[[Lynn,Kay,Lila]]]]
Grandma Lila is in my prayers, as are you and Kay, Lynn. She is such a sweet lady and very lucky to have you as a friend. I don't know anything about the appropriateness of radiation treatment, but I am guessing the docs want to make sure that no cancer lingers or spreads. Please give Lila my love. {{{hugs}}}
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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