My Introduction

Marion….My white counts have been perfectly normal. I still wouldn’t know I had F.L. if not for my many scans for C.C. The standard treatment for F.L. is to watch and wait until symptoms present or until lymph nodes get to a certain size, neither of which has happened in my case. My doctors are still discussing my treatment options, but most likely will continue to wait until my next scan, then make the call to either treat with chemo or continue to watch and wait. How old is your daughter and what is the location of her enlarged nodes? Mine were in the abdomen, so not noticeable except by scan. My best to you both! Dianne

Marion…So happy to hear that your daughter is doing well! Yes, I actually had enlarged lymph nodes at the time of my initial surgery for CC, 4.5 years ago. The doctors thought my nodes were maybe reacting to the surgery or to the mesh that I had to have implanted because of an incisional hernia…. and I even had a biopsy of one of the mesenteric nodes in 2011 which did not show any disease. This same node was biopsied last month, this time with a follicular lymphoma diagnosis. The doctors feel that I have probably had the F.L. for many years….interesting that I still wouldn’t know that I have it if not for the many scans for CC.
My very best wishes for your daughter! Dianne

Hi Matt….I wanted to reply to your post because we sound like we’ve had very similar paths, with the same doctors!, and I’m 4 1/2 years post resection! My symptoms started right after Thanksgiving dinner in 2009 with severe indigestion. Then I got the itching and finally an MD friend of mine got me to my local doctor who did an ultrasound and MRI and recommended a major cancer center. I went to Mayo in Rochester in Dec. 2009 and saw Dr. Gores and then Dr. Nagorney…both amazing doctors who saved my life. My surgery was Jan. 5 and I chose not to do any adjuvant therapy. I had a few bumps in the road after the surgery but am pretty much fine now…except that the docs kept scratching their heads regarding some enlarging mesenteric and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. I finally had a biopsy of a mesenteric lymph node that revealed I have follicular lymphoma which is much more treatable than CC. I see an oncologist this afternoon to figure out treatment for the F.L. Anyway, I’m wondering who your oncologist is at Mayo. I had Dr. Alberts initially but for some reason that I don’t understand he has not been assigned to me the last two times I was at Mayo. (Oh, I take Metamucil every day for diarrhea issues – it helps.) I know this must be very difficult for you with younger kids at home, but it sounds like you have a great attitude. We learn to enjoy and appreciate each and every day!

Great news Matt!! Hope is what we need!

Matt….how fantastic!!!!!! I will have a scan again in a couple weeks…..getting anxious….but your news helps with some of the anxiety. The scans don’t always have to show bad things!!! Keep on keeping on….and enjoy life!!!!!

Julie T.

Thanks for posting this wonderful news. So happy for you. Hope to see more of this in the future.

Hugs,
Darla

YIPPEE, MATT, way to go! May the 6 months turn in to MANY years! Love it!

Hi Matt,

Thanks for sharing your good news with us here, we love hearing such news about everyone! Hoping that the news is equally as good when you get your next scan next year as well and also wishing you well with your bulking up! Please keep us updated on how everything goes for you.

My best wishes to you,

Gavin