Chemo Education

Went to an appointment at Western Private yesterday to learn about the processes and side effects of Chemo. It was a bit scary, butr I left with a truckload of helpfull information.

The staff at the chemo unit were very friendly and informative.

The story so far...

"Cancer!? No bloody way!!!!!!!!!!

In May I was admitted into the Western Private Hospital for Lap Band weight reduction surgery. When I woke from the anaesthetic I was told the procedure had not been done.
The reason? Cirrhosis of the Liver with Portal Hypertension and Oesopraogial Varacies.
Basically, my liver was badly scarred, the Portal Vein had enlarged and Varicose vein like things had grown on the in and out side of my oesophagus.

But, they had also noticed that a Lymph node was enlarged as was my spleen.

They were going to do a biopsy on the Lymph node, but it was in a precarious position and bleeding out was a fear.

After an unremembered amount of blood tests as well as a few CT scans, they found that the lymph node had gotten bigger and they found more in my groin.

So under general anaesthetic again they removed one of the nodes in my groin and the result was in.

Low Grade Follicular Lymphoma.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Follicular_lymphoma

http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/diseases.asp?did=738&page=1

Chemotherapy here I come. 29th October 2009.