Posted by The results of the scans… from previous post Oncologist Meeting March 2022
Post stem cell transplant 5 year remission scan to investigate any recurrence.
In reality I was concerned due to reoccurring pneumonia and swelling to my neck. The right side of my neck is where the first signs of lymphoma started in 2014.
What’s significant about 5 years in remission?
“ Remission means that the signs and symptoms of your cancer are reduced. Remission can be partial or complete. In a complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. If you remain in complete remission for 5 years or more, some doctors may say that you are cured.”
I was terminally diagnosed 3 times between 2014 and 2017. The last prognosis following my stem cell transplant was basically 6 hours of consciousness and end of life 3 days later. Its not that they were wrong, the prognosis was based on a blood test done at 6am that morning. I was ready to face death, a strange reality but without remorse I was ready to die. But I decided to battle a little more, somehow my body started producing stem cells
“Stem cells are cells that are able to develop into many different cell types. This can range from muscle cells to brain cells. They include Red & white blood cells and In some cases, they can also fix damaged tissues”. A very basic way of describing a stem cell. These cells are created in our bone marrow.
So to go from Terminal diagnoses to cancer clear in 100 days was seen as close to impossible but to survive a further 5 years in remission was unquestionably a small miracle. Yet here I am 4 years and 10 months after been told I was dying now with scans that show I am cancer free. And yes I just used the words “cancer free” up to these scans it was classed as cancer clear.
Diagnosed in Feb 2014 as Stage 4 Large B Cell Hodgkins Lymphoma, remission in 2016, relapsed in 2017 and required rescue treatment for Stage 4 Non Hodgkins Lymphoma or Multiple lymphoma with a full stem cell transplant in July 2017. And today by medical standard months/years I am classed as completely cancer free and cured. I like to make the impossible possible and this was said to be an impossible result.
Nothing in life is impossible
I have battled lymphoma, Covid and pneumonia over the past 8 years. I have lost loved ones including my Mum.
“To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go”
“The Impossible dream” Songwriters: Leigh Mitch / Darion Joseph 1965
Nothing is impossible but the fight is a long road with obstacles that require every ounce of body, mind, soul and the want to survive. The great challenge is to help others survive and create awareness.
This is going to be a short article as the results speak for themselves (some personal information and doctors names have been removed)
CT NTAP
MRI Neck
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Awareness Ireland 