Well, here goes...

1 minute read time.

The story so far... (in brief!)

A couple of weeks ago my father - who is in his 90s - was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the groin. Nothing else has shown up on CAT scans, but there's also a suspicion (due to severe anaemia that isn't being helped that much by a tranfusion) that something may also be in the bone marrow.

My parents have been offered three basic choices (paraphrasing via my mother); a chemotherapy regime, a radiotherapy regime, or essentially nothing. He's decided to go for the radiotherapy regime, which I suspect is the best decision for someone at his age and relative fragility. I don't think he was ever likely to take the "do nothing" option, he's never really been one to sit about and wait for anything. He's still definitely got all his marbles so the decision on treatment was always up to him.

Right now we don't know when they'll be starting the treatment or the exact details of it - they need to meet with the radiologist first - but it'll probably be quite soon.

On a personal level it's odd. He's in his 90s, so something like this isn't exactly unexpected and he's had serious medical issues before, including a couple of dodgy moles and skin patches that have been removed, but somehow it's still more of a shock to the system than perhaps it should be.

So that's how it stands.

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Wow in his 90's and still doing well! How wondeful!

    Of course it is a shock when someone gets a cancer diagnosis.

    No matter how young or old they are.

    He is your dad and we are always their children no matter what age we are.

    A cancer diagnosis doesn't always mean a death sentence. There are many people on this site who have survived or is living with cancer.

    My advice is to take one day at a time.Give yourselves time to get over the shock!

    Once treatment starts you will then feel as if something is being done.

    It sounds like your dad is a strong man and will take it in his stride.

    I hope he manages to get his telegram from the Queen!

    Good Luck Julie xx  

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Aramble,

    Listen to Julie. She knows what she is talking about.

    As she says one day at a time. Dont forget you have to watch your own health too.

    Take care and be safe All the best and Good Luck..

    Sarsfield.xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Your dad sounds quite a man! I hope the radiotherapy works well for him. I'm sure it will be less traumatic than chemotherapy at his age.

    I wish your dad (and of course all of your family) all the very best. Be sure to come on and let us know how things are going will you?

    Best wishes, Christine xx