Is it possible to keep hope when your diagnosed with cancer?

Hi Gavin and welcome to mylot! I have a lymphoma. There are a lot of lymphomas and it much depends on which one you have. I was diagnosed with a follicular lymphoma around June. The best way to know for sure that you have a lymphoma is through a scan and then a biopsy. I was then sent to an hematologist-oncologist and she has taken care of me. That is exactly her specialty. If the doctor told you that it isn´t , you should ask him/her to tell you who should be in charge of it. But I´m absolutly sure that everything with lymph nodes and cancers are an hematologist-oncologist specialty. I was placed on chemotheraphy immediatly and at first it seemed that I had a stage 1 cancer because of the scan nd biopsy. But immediatly they also did a bone marrow test and found traslocation 14-18 which meant that my cancer went up to stage 4. Chemo for me is R-CHOP, the same treatment they give everywhere, including the Mayo Clinic. It is a standard procedure. I´m on my 5th chemo of 6 and the lymph node has responded to chemo. But the doctor also said my cancer had no cure but was a slow grower. There are other, more agresive cancers that DO have a cure. Sounds crazy, but it is so. The doctor just took another sample of my bone marrow after 5 chemos. If the bone marrow is better? clear? then they could use that later for an autotransplant. That is an if and when. Chemo is not easy. It drains your energy and you have to sleep a lot more. I would recommend you don´t take all your college subjects. You can talk about that at college: I´m sure they will understand. I have not freaked out. I am taking life in a Carpe Diem way, seize the present and be happy. If you see the news every day, you see a lot of young people dying at car accidents and other ways. Why should I be spared? Yet I´m living and I can lead a nice life while it lasts. The doctor is now speaking of follow up treatment of 5 years. That sound like heaven to me now. I can even plan a vacation when my defenses are better after the chemo. I´m planting some vegetables in my garden as my doctor won´t let me eat raw bought veggies on acount of pesticides. And I am playing at inventing recipes with the ingredients I am allowed to eat. Chemo not only kills the quick growing bad cells but also the good cells that reproduce quickly. That´s why you lose your hair and the lining of your stomach does not permit some foods. If you want to know more, don´t hesitate to write to me. Maybe I can help a bit.

First off, big hugs to you. My husband just finished treatment two days ago for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He had stage 2B with infected lymph nodes in his chest, neck and underarm. The only way for it to be diagnosed is with a lymph node biopsy. There are two different types of biopsy, either a needle biopsy or a lymphectomy (he had the lymphectomy to make sure there was enough tissue to test.) After the results of that came back positive he was referred to a hemotologist/oncologist. The next step was a bone marrow aspiration, PET/CT scan, liver function test, echocardiogram, and pulmonary function test. From the results of those tests we learned that he was stage 2. The B portion of his diagnosis was because he had some symptoms: fever, soaking night sweats and weight loss. He then had a port-a-cath placed to receive his chemotherapy through. His course of chemotherapy was six cycles of ABVD (adriamycin, bleomycin, vincristine and doxyrubicin). Each cycle consisted of two treatments on the first and fifteenth day. Through all of this, though we were both knocked pretty far down at first, we were able to make it through and have never lost hope. His cancer responded really well to the treatment and we will find out on the 2nd of December whether he will need radiation or not. However, I don't want you to think that you've definitely got lymphoma because it really isn't all that common. Hugs again.

GavinKKaos to begin with do not self diagnose as you will scare yourself silly.get yourself to the best oncologist where you live and be examined , x-rayed and cat scan and all and find 'out just what you have instead of assuming the worse. people do live long healthy lives who have had cancer, and surgery and chemo and beat it. my own husband had colon cancer and beat that. but he also smoked 3 packs a day did not think it would hurt him but it did it killed him four heart attacks. the last one sent him home to God. he did not die of Cancer, he was cancer free. if he had quit smoking he might have been here with mne now.

Hi GavinKaos, I hope you are not too depressed with your current situation. There have been a lot of cancer survivors so I know you can do it also. If you don't want to undergo operations or transplants, go natural. There are nutraceuticals that can help you survive cancer. One of the most powerful natural product is Mushroom, the attached picture contains, Agaricus Blazei Murill which is the God of Mushroom, which is very potent in healing your early stage of cancer with continued use and with high dosage during the first month. It is better than undergoing surgery or any other treatment. Of course, doctors would not believe in this nutraceuticals as they prefer pharmaceuticals which is not natural and synthetic which can harm our health sooner or later. So, I suggest, go Natural!

My husband is a cancer survivor - he had stage 3 prostate cancer and melanoma. Some of the melanoma had gone into the corner of his eye, which required surgery. He did not choose to have surgery for the prostate. He changed his diet to include healthier foods - vegetables, fruits, less gluten, salt, starch and sugar. He exercises more and avoids stress. He also takes a special health shake called Cellect for cancer patients and a variety of holistic remedies including olive leaf extract, colostrum and cod liver oil. Thankfully, a total lifestyle change and ongoing use of holistics (not cheap and not covered by insurance, unfortunately) has put the cancer into remission. Each patient has a different way of approaching cancer or a pre-cancer condition. It is important to talk to more than one doctor and health care practitioner to figure out what works for you. There are many different approaches and you always have a choice about what you want and don't want. Best to you and hope all is alright.

Sorry for that. What you need most is trust in God and have faith. Don't feel discouraged with the diagnosis. God has better plan for you. A stage 2 cancer is not very advanced and with early intervention and treatment, it can help so much. Be determined that you can face it and though they are many challenges that comes along, always ask God to guide you through.

theres always hope and as you can see by my mom there is life after cancer

my sister have a cancer-throat cancer. when the doctor diagnosed her that she have it, she's really down. for a moment she lost hope about her life. then we as a big family make her strong to passed it and fight it. the role of family is very important to her.

You came with a good social cause discussing about cancer. And i agree with the above responses. Keep posting. Cancer is really a dangerous disease, we have to try our level best to bring the awareness in the common man's mind.

Your doctor have told you that it could be lymphoma. But have you asked another doctor's opinion? Besides, it was just maybe a hunch by the doctor , as you have implied. So, i think there's no need to worry yet. And if ever it is indeed lymphoma, then it would be best to have it treated at that early, so it could arrested. And most of all, please remain positive that you could still beat it.

The most important thing for cancers is early diagnosis and treatment.If your cancer is still on the early stage,the survival is high.Metastasis will only occur if cancer is not treated on it's early stage.There have been a lot of stories in cancer survival as long as you don't lose hope,and strictly follow the treatment plan.Prayers can always helps.

The key to good prognosis of cancer is early detection. With it, early treatment and management can be done .The time element in the treatment of cancer is very important because cancer cells grow and multiply 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Treatment and management vary for every type of cancer you have and what stage you are in. In 2004 I was diagnosed to have an endometrial cancer stage 2A.After the diagnosis, I underwent a surgery to remove the affected parts. Then series of treatments followed. Had completed the required treatment regimen, change of lifestyle and stress management, were my focus during the time of my treatment and regular check ups. I went through the travails of the treatment and I am grateful to God for giving me very supportive family and friends. After three years of faithful check up and follow up, I had my CA 125 test and was declared cancer free. For now, I stick to healthy lifestyle. I drink plenty of water, have fruits and vegetables, less sugary foods,enough sleep, less stressful life and time to relax and unwind from time to time. Go to some places of interest and enjoy life to its fullest. Cancer nowadays , is like any other illness because of the advancement in medicine. The most important factor also in my fast recovery is the my faith on God,my acceptance of my condition and the love of my family and friends. Without them I may not be able to face that trial with a happy disposition.