B-Cell Lymphoma

Hi everyone. We received the result of the biopsy yesterday, which confirmed that I have a B-Cell Lymphoma. B-Cell Lymphomas are apparently the most common type of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, accounting for approximately 85% of all non-Hodgkin Lymphomas.

That’s all we know definitively from the biopsy. More particularly, from several oncologist friends, it sounds like this is probably a Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma. My understanding is that just means it’s originates in the mediastinum (the area of the chest between the lungs). This is actually pretty rare, accounting for only 2-3% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Rare doesn’t necessarily mean bad, though. From what our friends have said (and the medical journal articles they’ve sent us), the response rate to treatment is similar to other B-cell lymphomas, which is pretty high.

From here, the next step is staging. I have an appointment tomorrow at Dana Farber’s lymphoma center. (Dana Farber is one of the best cancer hospitals in the country.) From there, we will do a number of follow-up tests and procedures, to determine what stage this cancer is. Obviously, we are hoping for an early stage. One of the biggest determinants of this will be whether there is any cancer anywhere else in my body, so I will likely have a PET scan, which will check all over my body for any other signs of cancer.

Obviously, a lot can change in a moment. One test or scan could show something more advanced. However, what signs we have to go on right now have been generally positive. While my CT scan was localized to my upper abdomen, all the doctors who have seen it have said they don’t see any lymph nodes or other areas showing signs of cancer (again, the PET will check everywhere else). My initial blood work shows signs that I have cancer, but we’ll have to wait for the oncologist to determine if any of the levels are particularly worrisome for something more advanced. I also wouldn’t say I have any of the advanced symptoms (unexplained fevers, weight loss, night sweats, etc.). So, we’re hoping and praying that the further tests will confirm these things and that this would be very localized and not spread.

I will likely start an aggressive chemo treatment in the next two weeks or so. From what I have heard, it will be rough. But, obviously, the alternative is worse and I am committed to doing whatever I need to fight and beat this.

Emotionally, we’re still up and down. This latest news was not surprising to me, as it seemed to be the most likely (and maybe even the most desirable) of the realistic diagnoses. So, I wouldn’t say this has rocked us in a deep way, because we’ve already had that deep tremor. This was just confirmation. That said, with each new piece of news or information, there is a mini cycle of processing, worrying, reassuring, and moving forward that Kristen and I go through.

So from, here, we would appreciate your continued prayer.

For Kristen and the kids:

Pray for grace and peace as Kristen walks with me through this. Pray strength for her as she cares for the kids and me while I undergo treatments. Pray for continued wisdom as we try to help the kids understand and minimize any fear or trauma for them.

Most immediately:

Pray that scans and tests would show no spreading. Pray that the God who told the waters “this far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt” (Job 38:11) would hold this tumor in his mighty hand and say the same. And pray that it would not grow and would not impede or affect the vital organs around it.

As we move forward:

Pray that the chemo would decisively shrink and eradicate this tumor. Pray that the doctors would choose the best treatment from the start so that immediately the tumor will begin to die. Pray Jesus would curse this tumor, as he did the fig tree in Matthew 21:18-22, and we, like the disciples, would be amazed and ask how it withered so quickly.

And big picture:

Pray that I would be completely healed/cured. As the psalmist praises in Psalm 116, pray that the Lord would hear our cries for mercy. (v1) Pray that he would deliver me from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. (v8-9) Pray that like him, we will celebrate, worship, and ask “What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?” (v12) Pray that I would have many decades to love my wife, my kids, and testify to the goodness of the Lord.