I am a double transplant recipient having recieved a kidney and a pancreas in 1995. My kidney failure was due to diabetes and I opted to persue a pancreatic transplant in order to "cure" my diabetes thereby ensuring that my newly adopted kidney wouldn't succumb to the same fate.
In June of this year I went into the hospital for what I thought would be a fairly routine surgery - to fix a hernia that has been problematic over the site of my adopted pancreas. That is when they found the B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Since I am immunosuppressed due to the anti-rejection drugs, apparently I'm a good candidate for this form of cancer.
Due to so many different complications, I was either in hospital, critital care, acute care rehab or sub-acute nursing care until November 1st. I am still trying to get up-to-speed on Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. At the time of my kidney failure in1994 and my transplant in 1995, pancreatic transplant had not yet been approved by Medicare so I had to "fight city hall" in order to get my pancreatic transplant (it was still considered "experimental"). I was armed with information and took the establishment on head-long.
I need to do the same with this but I am so exhausted and overwhelmed and behind on the everyday issues of my life (having been away from my home and husband for 4 months). I need those who are going through this - or have already been through this to network with me and help me understand this new medical challenge!
I hope this message board grows so we all can benefit from each others experience. Thanks for the good news, "BigD"!