First off, let me say that this thread isn't for attention. I'm not asking for PMs or post of sympathy/empathy. I made this SOLELY for awareness. If others want to share their stories of illnesses/diseases that have affected them and their family, they're free to. For those who want to pray for my family or send them best wishes/luck, I appreciate your concern.

My aunt Jeannie, who was left mentally handicapped after suffering from Scarlet Fever as a child, has always lived with my grandmother. My grandmother is in her late 80's, and yet she spends her days delivery food to those younger than her and doing other activities with her church. Years ago, my grandfather died of severe health complications while fighting a very unsuccessful battle with Parkinson's disease. Granny was left alone to raise Jeannie, who is obviously her constant companion now.

In December, Jeannie underwent a colonoscopy that revealed a polyp. A biopsy was done and the polyp turned out to be a malignant tumor. My mom went down today to help Granny take Jeannie in for further tests which revealed that the tumor was MALT lymphoma. Later this week, Jeannie will have to go through a CAT scan, PET scan, and other tests. A cancer review board will then work to determine what the best line of treatment will be.

All that Jeannie understands is that her little polyp had a tumor growing in it, and that they need to see if she has any other tumors growing. I know she understands cancer, but I'm not sure that she understands what this may imply for her. I just hope that at most she'll have to undergo surgery and then it will just be routine checks after that. I don't think she would be able to understand why she would have to undergo chemotherapy, or any other long-term discomforts. And after all the emotional and physical pain that Granny went through while she had to care for a loving husband who slowly wasted away and became delirious, I worry about the amount of trauma she may have to endure if she has to watch her youngest daughter suffer.

1/9/2007 5:42:35 PM

best wishes

1/9/2007 6:31:08 PM

/blog

1/9/2007 6:32:13 PM

EMCE made me smile.

I'm not quite sure what this thread is about--the struggles and triumphs of the human experience? Anyway, the topic is interesting to me because I've never considered what it's like for a person with an exceptionality to face a critical disease. I mean, it happens all the time, but I've never thought about it because I'm so focused on the exceptionality.

As far as your concerns for your grandmother go, she sounds like a strong lady.

And this thread has totally inspired me to head to the store for some King Cobra.

1/9/2007 6:58:30 PM

i don't get what the point is? i'm not trying to be rude or anything but what were you trying to do there?

it would've helped if you had explained what MALT lymphoma is (beyond a cancerous polyp) seeing as you're trying to promote awareness.



if we're just discussing family members who aren't totally there that have cancer, i have a schizophrenic cousin whose medicine causes alzheimer's (sp?)-like side effects and who has also been shunned by my homophobic family b/c he's gay....who also has liver cancer. first round of chemo hasn't worked and my granny is already planning what furniture of his that she is taking. it's awful. jeez granny he's not fucking dead yet.

1/9/2007 7:24:00 PM

Ok, I hadn't read this since I wrote it straight out, so I realize the "solely for awareness" thing makes no sense. I started one place and my brain went elsewhere. I was just trying to say that this wasn't really for a "blog" or to get attention. I personally don't care if people don't respond.

I guess I just want people to appreciate what they have. We forget about how much people mean till we face losing them. (Blah, blah... cheesy stuff.)

Oh, i figured people would just google, but MALT lymphoma stands for Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma.
http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=malt+lymphoma&btnG=Google+Search

I'm not really worried about her survival because despite being rarer, it's slow-growing and treatments are pretty successful. I guess I'm just worried about everyone's sanity.

1/9/2007 7:38:28 PM

/emo blog

1/9/2007 7:40:09 PM

i heard its way better than Lymphoma SHAKE



mmm, tasty

1/9/2007 7:42:59 PM

MALT of the colon? That is pretty rare...

As with nearly all cancer, though, survival is pretty heavily tied to staging.

Best wishes to her.

1/9/2007 9:09:25 PM

ashes to ashes

1/9/2007 10:19:56 PM

That has to be tough...I myself have a deep fear of getting Alzheimers and being old with health problems and not understanding why people are doing things to me. As such, I eat a ton of fish and seafood (helps keep your brain healthy). I hope your family stays strong and is able to support eachother in this.

Best wishes, positive thoughts, and I'm praying for all those involved.

1/10/2007 9:17:01 AM

Quote :

"ashes to ashes"

1/10/2007 9:45:04 AM