John's fight to survive Lymphoma
Donation protected
My life suddenly changed June 2016. Out of the blue I felt weak and had fevers thinking it was just the flu, until my fevers got to103 degrees with debilitating shivers and drenching sweats. I was admitted to the hospital and the doctors discovered my enlarged spleen. After two weeks enduring painful tests and constant fevers my spleen was removed and the fevers stopped. Then the news of the pathology report showed I had stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The cancer had spread to my liver. I realized my life would never be the same.
This Lymphoma was aggressive, and required aggressive inpatient chemotherapy. I endured six rounds of strong chemotherapy and responded with some side effects. After hospital discharges were the exhausting down times known as the “Crash”. Testing showed the cancer was removed from my body. But chemotherapy leaves its mark with numbness in my hands and feet, and and such weakness it’s hard to find the muscles to walk.
I was in remission recovering for nine months feeling good blessed to be working. Then the strange feeling of the flu and weakness came again. The fevers started and increased each day. I was admitted again to the hospital for testing. A bone marrow biopsy and body scan confirmed my worst fear, the Lymphoma had returned with a wicked punch. Just two months prior there was no medically detectable trace of the disease, and now it was in the bone marrow of every bone in my body including my skull, lungs, and liver, but not my spinal column and brain.
This time the doctors said the cancer is way more aggressive, and requires very aggressive chemotherapy plus a bone marrow stem cell transplant to survive. It feels so much harder to recover now from the chemotherapy, with more weakness, nausea, and bone pain. I am getting weaker.
I am 57 years old with a loving family, wife of almost 25 years, and blessed to have two wonderful adopted children, David and Kimberly. I’m taking this journey one day at a time, and don't know what to expect. I am so scared for my life, and the future of my children. The doctors say they will try their best but there are risks to surviving this treatment.
I would appreciate it very much for any small donation to help my family and I, in fighting this horrible disease. This is the biggest challenge I have ever had to face.
Thank you all who have contributed to this campaign. My family and I feel so blessed for the overwealming support from you all. It really helps me find the courage to keep fighting.
God bless you . . . John
This Lymphoma was aggressive, and required aggressive inpatient chemotherapy. I endured six rounds of strong chemotherapy and responded with some side effects. After hospital discharges were the exhausting down times known as the “Crash”. Testing showed the cancer was removed from my body. But chemotherapy leaves its mark with numbness in my hands and feet, and and such weakness it’s hard to find the muscles to walk.
I was in remission recovering for nine months feeling good blessed to be working. Then the strange feeling of the flu and weakness came again. The fevers started and increased each day. I was admitted again to the hospital for testing. A bone marrow biopsy and body scan confirmed my worst fear, the Lymphoma had returned with a wicked punch. Just two months prior there was no medically detectable trace of the disease, and now it was in the bone marrow of every bone in my body including my skull, lungs, and liver, but not my spinal column and brain.
This time the doctors said the cancer is way more aggressive, and requires very aggressive chemotherapy plus a bone marrow stem cell transplant to survive. It feels so much harder to recover now from the chemotherapy, with more weakness, nausea, and bone pain. I am getting weaker.
I am 57 years old with a loving family, wife of almost 25 years, and blessed to have two wonderful adopted children, David and Kimberly. I’m taking this journey one day at a time, and don't know what to expect. I am so scared for my life, and the future of my children. The doctors say they will try their best but there are risks to surviving this treatment.
I would appreciate it very much for any small donation to help my family and I, in fighting this horrible disease. This is the biggest challenge I have ever had to face.
Thank you all who have contributed to this campaign. My family and I feel so blessed for the overwealming support from you all. It really helps me find the courage to keep fighting.
God bless you . . . John
Organizer
John Lodge
Organizer
Alhambra, CA
