John's cancer update

John had an appointment with Dr. Swaab over at the Pottstown Cancer Center today. As you know, a few weeks ago, John had his spleen removed because they found 2 teeny spots that tested positive for B-cell Lymphoma (that was the cancer he had last year). After the surgery, he had a PET scan done and a CT scan done also. Today John found out the scans were CLEAR!!! YAY!!!

Dr. Swaab now wants to keep a closer eye on him and see him in 3 months instead of 6 months. What they weren't sure of was if the cancer found on his spleen was a residual cancer that was hiding, or if it was a new outbreak. They want John to see a Lymphoma specialist at Fox Chase Cancer Center soon.

I need to do some research but John told me there was something with his T-cells... that possibly his immune system was attacking the cancer on his spleen? I'm guessing that was a good thing. Like I said, I want to do some research.

Dr. Swaab told John if they find more coming back, he'll need to do a different kind of chemo that will require him to be in the hospital for 5 days. I can only think this will make him extremely sick, so I hope he doesn't have to do this.

This is the first time I've had to deal with cancer this closely. My father died of cancer 30 years ago, but I was in my early 20s when he first got colon cancer. Dad seemed to bounce back easily. Then 2 years later, it was back with a vengeance and it was EVERYWHERE! They opened him up, shook their heads and closed him right up. He died a week later and we never told him he had cancer. Like I said, I was young, living my life, working. I didn't have to deal with Dad recuperating from his surgery... that was Mom's job. NOW I can see what it's like. And I have the 20 stress pounds on me to prove it! LOL But you know what? I'll keep doing it because I love him and he's worth it.