Somehow I never thought it would be me. Cancer. Leukemia. Lymphoma.
Always in good physical shape, reasonably fit. Great longevity on both sides of ancestors' families.
But here it is, Alan. Deal with it.
I am who I am. I have to approach it the way I know best: thoroughly, armed with as much knowledge as possible, trying to make the best decisions possible, finding the best expertise CDPHP (Capital District Physicians Health Plan, my insurance) will provide.
Here's what is known: Two enlarged lymph nodes were removed for biopsy, one just below my right ear and one behind my left ear.
A CT scan found many more enlarged lymph nodes in my chest and abdomen area.
The biopsy was performed 21 Dec 07 by Genzyme. It found "CD5 + B-cell lymphoma. The antigenic profile is consistent with chronic lymphcytic leukemia / small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL / SLL)."
The details of the test results look like this:
B-lymphoid associated
sKappa..........B-cell..........negative
sLambda........B-cell.........moderate
CD10 ...........CALLA / Granulocyte, B-cell subset .........negative
CD19............B cell .........moderate
CD20...........B-cell .........Dim to moderate
CD22 ..........B-cell .........negative
CD23 ..........B-cell / FC Receptor ........moderate
Myeloid Associated
CD 13/23 .....Myeloid Cell .......Negative
T-Lymphoid Associated
CD 2.........T-cell.......negative
CD3..........T-cell ......negative
CD4..........T cell .....negative
CD5 .........T-cell ......moderate
CD7 .........T-cell ......negative
CD8 .........T-cell .....negative
CD56 .......NK Cell .......negative
Miscellaneous Markers
CD38 ........Myeloid / Plasma Cells / Activated cell ........ negative
CD45 ........Leukocyte ............ Bright
CD71 .........Subset Activated Cell ..........negative
CD11c .......Myeloid/B-cell subset .......... negative
ZAP-70 .......T-cell/NK, CLL Prognosis ........negative
I assume (without any research yet since coming home) that the left column (where the many CD items are listed) is the specific test. The middle column is, I assume, what it was looking for, and the right column indicates whether it found it or not.
The report also says, of the left-ear sample: Gated viable cells---72.8%
For the right-ear sample---61.7%
As soon as possible the "oncologist" (cancer specialist) will do an extraction of some bone marrow to see if any has gotten in there yet. He needs to know that before deciding on an appropriate prescription / treatment.
I have a lot of reading to do!
Many of you will have been through this personally or with friends or family members. If you have knowledge to share that you think might be helpful, please don't be shy. I am going to absorb it all!
I will be posting more here as I learn it.
Thanks for the many expressions of support and concern. They are really, really appreciated.
-- Alan
