Welcome

My name is Mark,
I was diagnosed with Follicular Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma stage 3 B Cell , After feeling a large lump in my lower stomach area when I was loosing weight but not loosing the stomach I had a CT scan on the 9th of October 2007 and it showed one large tumor 23cm-19cm plus several others much smaller, then two weeks after that I had a Biopsy operation under one armpit ,it showed nothing to verify so two weeks after I had another biopsy operation in the lower stomach area then that confirmed the Cancer of the lymph nodes and what type and grade it was.
Two weeks after spending ten days in hospital I was started on treatment the Doctors called R chop.
I had 4 cycles of R chop 3cycles of R Give and had 2 cycles of methotrexate and Cytarabine in May 2008,due to insignificant shrinkage of lymp nodes.
I then had 25 blasts of radio therapy to the abdomin first starting on the 9th july 2008 5 days a week for 4 weeks.
I had My 4th Pet scan 5th September, in resulting there was still showings of hot spots in the abdomin area.
I then Had some radioisatopes Zevalin in a hope to crunch this cancer for good this time, administered on the 12th September 2008.
At that time i was only the 4th person in Australia to have Zevalin as it is used to treat follicular lymphoma , which is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) . It's currently given to people who have been treated with another monoclonal antibody, rituximab| , but whose lymphoma either did not respond or came back. 
I was on the countdown to the Autologous Transplant due to commence on the day 1 as the 25th September 2008.
I was admited in Hospital on the 19th September for Chemo then start the Transplant of my Cells 25th September 2008.
I then went on to recover for some time untill I was able to have another pet scan to show the results.
As that showed there was still some inflimation in the abdomin area.
I was then sent over to Westmead Hospital to see another oncologist/So further on in 2009 I had more treatment of Fludarrabine and Cyclophosphamide tablets along with Retuximab infusions, 3 cycles of that over a few months. Then the plan was to have another transplant with a donor cells using one of my 7 sibling witch there happenned to be 2 matches one female one male. So we went along with the male cells from my brother Bill, that all started in September 2009 after a few test for both parties.
I was administered into westmead hospital on the 23rd september 2009 after having the Hickman line incerted into my chest, By doctors at the day clinic next door to the hospital .
Then on the 24th I had a bone marrow biopsy and started with some Ganciclovir and retuximab.
I was started on treatment of Fludarrabine and Cyclophosphamide along with Retuximab on the 26th September ,continuing for a few days.
Day zero the Stem Cell reinfusion on the 2nd of October 2009.
I was released from Hospital on the 16th October 2009 to recover further at home.
April 2010 Just started getting some mild GVHD
With dry irritating eyes and sore in the mouth. New Cells have taken over my cells ,now just waiting for GVL to take affect.
Read more in the Transplant 2 recovery blogs.


Transplant 1 Recovery Read more:

Relay For Life


Mummysthere is doing the Relay for Life  http://www.mummysthere.com

 Contact Jodie 
For More Information Contact Jodie,HERE:

Planning is already underway for the 2010 Relay for life
in the area of Fairfield. This year we participated as a
team, but for next year three of our lovely members
Sharon, Leanne and myself have joined the committee to
make a stronger impacked.(Don't get me wrong our team
will still be participating).

This year the event will be held at a later date (October
16th and 17th) and at a larger more equiped venue.
There will still be Relay Idol and Miss Relay and all
the other fun activities. Last year over 80,000 dollars
was made-this year I am sure will be even greater.

Anyone that wants to be part of this great event-either as
a sponsor, entertainer,make your own team etc...........let
us know and we will forward more information to you.
(fill in form at bottom of page)

Cancer is a very wide spread condition which isn't
sexist or concerned with age or race. Anyone
can get cancer and the sad reality is that you
don't know who or when it will hit.

Join us and help us make a difference in this
battle to defeat cancer. We will hand out any
promotional materials for any donating businesses
or individuals. So if you can't make it to the relay-your
business can still have a prescence.

This is a wonderful charity event to help defeat cancer (to raise funds for cancer research) The weekend is a festive style full of community spirit! It is not a marathon and you don't have to run, just walk around the oval-you can walk as many and as few as you like.

For those battling cancer, your not alone-A good friend of
mine has created a great site with forum in which is
highly recommended by us-

$2 Donation and we will display your pray or remembrance with your loved ones details at the relay.

 It is amazing what your small donation can do

$25 Can help us to provide a newly diagnosed cancer patient with suport & information resources
$50 Can help to train a staff member for the cancer council hotline 13 11 20
$100 Can help to provide resources to health professionals to assist them in adopting proven methods in treating and caring for their patients
$500 Can allow a research team to purchase tissue samples for use in investigating the causes of cancer, as well as potential treatment options
$1000 Can assist us to fund clinical trails, which  test new & better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

$1500		 Can help us fund groundbreaking research into the causes of cancer and into new and improved treatments.

Significant advances have been achieved through research, the cancer mortality rate has decreased by 14 percent over the last ten years

For More Information Contact Jodie,HERE:

 

Please view my items at ZAZZLE


Look for a personalized gift at Zazzle.
 

Transplant 2 recovery Read more:

Some Pictures of my Journey

Picture 1 Anzac day 2008 I was in hospital.
Picture 2
Picture 3
Me-Now

 

 

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Talk with others:

I communicate with other people with blood disorders on the lakeamia website forum called The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society BBS ,its a very helpfull website the people there are opened to all questions you have about your ilnness and they are very kind and caring ,they help make your treatment a liitle easyer to cope with during your hard time as they know some of the feelings you go through.

Visit my new Cancer community Forum.

 

LIVING life with Cancer.

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