In October of 2008 I found out that I have Stage IV Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and I am just finishing a series of 8 Rituxan treatments. Stage 4 means that I have it in my bones.

I would like to talk with anyone that has Stage IV NHL and see what's working for you.

You can post a response or e-mail me at rjk414@yahoo.com.

Thanks,

Bob K.

Hi, Bob.

My brother, who is now 47, was treated for Hodgkins Lymphoma 7 years ago, but in September 2008 he found out it came back.  His oncologist said he had Hodgkins Lymphoma and was stage 3A - and gave him several rounds of chemo, and a chemo pill and a form of a mustard gas pill.  But 3 weeks ago his doctor knew something was wrong and sent him to another doctor who said he is stage 4.  The cancer is in his bone.  About a month ago the first doctor said he was almost in remission and we thought he only had 1 more round of chemo to go.  But the new doctor said he is stage 4, and has it in his bones.  She showed us the PET scans from September and November - you can see the cancer in the bone.  We don't know if the first doctor misdiagnosed him or just didn't tell him the full story.  Now my brother must have a bone marrow transplant.  He will begin Rituxan (R-Ice) treatments next week, followed by Neupogen injections to prepare him for the bone marrow transplant.  This crap has turned his life (and ours) upside down - as I am sure it did to you and your family.  His cancer is recurring so of course we are very concerned.  

Do you have to have a bone marrow transplant?

P.S.  Keep your spirits up.  Try to think of the chemo treatments like Olivia Newton John did - like "liquid gold".

Hi Bob: I have stage 4 non-hodgkins lymphoma. I have had this since 04 at which time I had a gland taken out of my left side of my neck and inside my cheek. I had 20 radiation treatments. I then went into remission for almost 5 years.  At which time I had a swelling on the other side of my cheek and had surgery for that and it proved to be the same problems.  Then did a bone marrow test and it was inside there.  So then I did 8 treatments of R-chop and then a day before Christmas eve I did a thing called Zevalin. Which is a Radioactive thing. I also did 2 more Rituxin treatments.   The Zevalin will need a  cbc testing weekly vor 12 weeks. It does drop all your blood levels. So mine have dropped pretty much. I have yet to find out what they do for that eventually. So will wait to see.  They will do further cat scan in about 6 weeks. So then we will see.  I do hate those bone marrow tests. Those are crazy for sure. Dont feel very good either. Hope you are feeling well.

Hilde