lymphoma, anyone?

So sorry to hear about your (is it your mother-in-laws?) illness.

My father was diagnosed w/ diffuse large cell lymphoma in January 2001. It was the size of a cantaloupe in his abd. So large it caused a bowel obstruction as it impinged upon the bowel. He had chemo and radiation and has been in remission and doing well since Oct 2001.

Before tx, he had a bone marrow, CAT scans, and I think a bone scan, -all to r/o mets. He had an echo. to make sure his heart could handle the chemo. as some of it can weaken the heart. He had a portacath placed.

Since remission, he has periodic CAT scans to watch for a return of the lymphoma. (about every 3 to 4 mos)

The chemo was 1 day every 3 weeks for 6 weeks (would have been 8 weeks, but he had an unrelated problem that prevented the last 2 tx's). The radiation came after the chemo and was 5 days/ week for about a month.

Your mother-in-laws lymphoma may be a different type or in a different area and tx may be different. I hope this helps to have an idea of what the next few mos. may hold for her and your family.

By the way, my father was 73 when diagnosed, and he never had any problems at all through all of the treatments (other than the expected low blood counts, decreased immunity, etc.). Still does just about anything he wants. I pray your family will have the same experience.