Diagnosis and Treatment Time

Well - it's official. Kristen has what's called 'stage 4b' in the lymphoma family - but don't let that scare you. Stage 4 mainly means that it has wandered to another location as well as her neck area and the 'b' means that she has other symptoms to go along with it (i.e. night sweats, itching, etc.) The cancer is centered in the lymph nodes around her neck and upper chest, the 'stage 4' designation comes from the fact that there is a small 'hot spot' also on her lower right lung area node. Bottom line - CURABLE! The Dr. said that this is the best cancer to have - if you have to have it - because it is curable.
What's next? She had to have a bone marrow biopsy today (ouch!) and also got a lung capacity test. On monday she will have a heart function test as well. The heart and lung tests are to help gage her overall health before beginning treatment. The bone marrow biopsy was to make sure there was no cancer there and these last 3 tests can also be used as baseline tests for later on if needed.
Sometime at the end of next week she will begin chemotherapy (no radiation with this). She will have to have 12 "doses" at 2 week intervals. About 2 weeks after her first dose the dr. said she will most likely start loosing her beautiful head of hair. (wig party!) She will be tired and have some nausea - but they will give her meds to help with that. She will also have to stay out of the direct sun - summer bummer - and her previously planned trip to Belize has to be postponed indefinitely!
Lot's going on but we are encouraged!
More later and love to ALL!!!
Kari

Greetings everyone!

Thank you all SO much for your love,
support and prayers - it's helping!!!!

Kristen is doing rather well except for
a bad cold she has caught which started
as a sore throat and has now moved
to her chest - on top of everything else!
Yesterday she ate something besides
pringles and sugar cookies - so I am
hopeful :) :) :) !!!

Love to all, Kari

Okay, this is what we know. Kristen has Hodgkins Lymphoma Nodular Sclerosis. It is the most common type of Hodgkins Lymphoma. She has an appointment with her surgeon tomorrow to just check her wound. Then after that she has a PET Scan at the new Murray hospital. The oncologist wanted her to have this scan before they see her. She has the oncologist appointment on Friday at noon. Hopefully this will tell what stage she is at and what the treatment will be.

Hello!

So this is a place where Kristen can send her 10 billion friends and family members that love her, to find out information about what's going on. She just can't keep up with all the updating of everyone so we figured this would be a good idea. And for the record, she chose the the blog address cause she thought it would be funny. It wasn't me. Who is me? you ask. I'm Stacey, Kristen's one and only sister. I'll be the one who is doing this thing so if anyone has any suggestions or questions, email me at dixon323@gmail.com. Ciao!!