Paul visited the Huntsman Cancer Institute yesterday. The oncologist there was not convinced that Paul had lymphoma and believed that the pseudomonas respiratory infection could be responsible for all of his recent health problems. However, the CT scan had not been transferred from American Fork to SLC yet, and that may change the diagnosis once the doctor reviews it. I hope you are all praying for Paul.
Dad
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Shirley and I are spending the week at Summit Watch, one of two Marriott's time share facilities in Park City, Utah. On Thursday, I called my brother,Paul, to see how he was doing. To my dismay, I learned that Paul had just been diagnosed with a rather widespread lymphoma. The diagnosis had been made with CT scan,several blood tests, and his 6-7 week history of fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and a large visible node in his neck. No biopsy had yet been taken. Paul was convinced that he had been diagnosed with exactly the same lymphoma mother died with 35 years ago and both he and Marolynn were sick at heart with the diagnosis. I tried to reassure him that most lymphomas could be successfully treated, that there was a large family of lymphomas, including Hodgkin's lymphoma, that could cured, and that mother's diagnosis was quite uncommon.
I insisted that he make an appointment with one the lymphoma specialists at the Huntsman's Cancer Institute in SLC and offered to make the call for him. As soon as the appointment secretary realized that Paul was an untreated, freshly diagnosed case of lymphoma, she arranged an appointment for Paul to be seen by a young female oncologist who who specialized in the management of lymphoma. The appointment was scheduled on Monday October 11 at 2 p.m., two days earlier than the local oncologist in American Fork could see him.
Paul felt waves of relief pour over him as the call was completed. He knew that he would receive excellent care in a world-class cancer institute. He also knew that the correct diagnosis and prognosis would be established quickly, and that he could trust the doctor to tell him the truth. The secretary told that it was common for 70% of lymphoma to be cured or enter long-term remission and that statement gave him great reassurance.
The next day, Paul and Marolynn drove up to Park City at our invitation. We ate lunch together (Paul's appetite had improved!), talked for awhile, and then took a ride up into the mountains above the resort. Marolynn told us that he hadn't felt this good in weeks.
I'll stay closely in touch with Paul, even after we return home to California on Monday and monitor his progress. It was good that Shirley and I were here this week to help him and I will do my best to stay in touch not only with Paul but with his doctors as well.
I insisted that he make an appointment with one the lymphoma specialists at the Huntsman's Cancer Institute in SLC and offered to make the call for him. As soon as the appointment secretary realized that Paul was an untreated, freshly diagnosed case of lymphoma, she arranged an appointment for Paul to be seen by a young female oncologist who who specialized in the management of lymphoma. The appointment was scheduled on Monday October 11 at 2 p.m., two days earlier than the local oncologist in American Fork could see him.
Paul felt waves of relief pour over him as the call was completed. He knew that he would receive excellent care in a world-class cancer institute. He also knew that the correct diagnosis and prognosis would be established quickly, and that he could trust the doctor to tell him the truth. The secretary told that it was common for 70% of lymphoma to be cured or enter long-term remission and that statement gave him great reassurance.
The next day, Paul and Marolynn drove up to Park City at our invitation. We ate lunch together (Paul's appetite had improved!), talked for awhile, and then took a ride up into the mountains above the resort. Marolynn told us that he hadn't felt this good in weeks.
I'll stay closely in touch with Paul, even after we return home to California on Monday and monitor his progress. It was good that Shirley and I were here this week to help him and I will do my best to stay in touch not only with Paul but with his doctors as well.
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