Well, I must say it's deffinately been quite a whirlwind of events since last i touched base with everyone, so let me attempt to catch you up:

Dad Young

Diagnosis

Detailed Guide: Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Type

What Is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Types of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Classifying non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be quite confusing (even for many doctors) because there are so many types (around 30) and because several different systems have been used. The most recent system is the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. The WHO system uses the appearance of the lymphoma cells, the chromosome features of the cells, and the presence of certain chemicals on the surface of the cells. (Older systems classified lymphomas based only on their appearance under a microscope.)

B-Cell Lymphomas

B-cell lymphomas make up most (about 85%) of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in the United States. Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma This is one of the more common types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the United States, accounting for about 1 out of every 3 cases. The cells are fairly large when viewed under the microscope. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma DLBCL can affect any age group but occurs mostly in older people (the average age of most patients is mid-60s). The usual symptoms are a quickly growing mass in an internal lymph node, such as in the chest or abdomen or in a lymph node that you can feel, for example, in the neck or armpit. Although this lymphoma usually starts in lymph nodes, it can grow in other areas such as the intestines, bone, and even the brain or spinal cord. About 1 out of 3 of these lymphomas is confined to one part of the body (localized). When it is localized, this type of lymphoma is considered to be more curable than when it has spread to other parts of the body. Genetic tests have shown that there are different subtypes of DLBCL, even though they look the same under the microscope. These subtypes seem to have different outlooks (prognoses) and responses to treatment. This is a fast growing lymphoma, but it often responds well to treatment with chemotherapy. Overall, about 3 out of 4 people will have no signs of disease after initial treatment, and about half of all people with this lymphoma are cured with therapy.

Dad's treatment began Yesterday:

CHOP is a combination of 3 chemotherapy drugs and a steroid.  The steroid is called prednisolone.  The chemo drugs are called cyclophosphamide, vincristine and doxorubicin.  This is probably the most common chemo combination used for NHL.  You usually have CHOP every 3 weeks.  You have chemotherapy injections on the first day and take steroid tablets for 5 days.  Then you have 2 weeks off before the cycle starts again.  The most common side effects of CHOP are a drop in blood counts, sickness, hair loss, sore mouth and nerve symptoms (pins and needles or abdominal pain). 

Mom Young:

Mom Young has moved out of the Vicarage for now, and is staying with us until we find out what's the final outcome with dad.Thier Dog Ben has also joined us, though he is very friendly to people he can't stand or tollerate other dogs...which poses a big problem at our house, which since he has the problem, he is the one getting the most cage time.

My Daughter Carolyn Ann:

Carolyn is due for the baby on April the 17th, though nick is saying she will have it early on his birthday(the 6th)....so far it sounds o.k. as far as she is concerned....let's hope it stays that way!

My long lost family:

If you will recall I told you about finding my aunties when mt Dad Gary died...well other than some very welcome funny emails and touching pass it along emails..not much really to say on that front....but...lastnight I went by Gary's Gone Too Soon site and found my biological Older brother had been there! Keep in mind this is my true blood born older brother whom I was taken from as a child, and we grew up away from each other in sepparate homes...finding one another here and there in ties gone by..but never fully staying in touch....it's been like 15 years since i last heard from him....so I must say i was EXTREMELY excited and shocked! He is the only other person on the planet who can fully comprehend or even egin to understand what we went through as children before the state got involved as he was there! For those of you who read my "World In My Eyes" blog I have posted his voice poetry sharing his views and innermost feelings on the subject.Be prepared to go away feeling a bit upset, as I can't begin to tell you how upsetting it was to of lived the things he speaks of.I am extremely excited about his voice poem, as it validates me and the memories and thoughts I have...keep in mind I was VERY young and as an adult i have always been afraid of how much of my memory was fictional from a childs view of the actual events.....though I stand by what I feel is the truth...you never know how your child mind may percieve certain things and turn them about.Anyways..I am off for Saturday and back to work for Sunday...I requested it so i could have a weekday off to take care of some financial business. Well other than the fact that all dogs are fine and the birds are being rehomed this weekend....thats it for now!

Love and Light To ALL!