Cindy Nichols

Cindy's story in brief.
Over thirty years ago Cindy had a blood transfusion that was contaminated with the hepatitis C virus. About six years ago she noticed a littl lump and a biopsy was done; the results showing she has a slow growing lymphoma most likely caused by the hepatitis C virus. She went through a year of treatment for the hep C putting the lymphoma in remission. Two years ago her health started to decline and we tried to find out what was happening. We have done a bit of doctoring and a week in the hospital basically with very little results. Within the last year a Rheumatologist did extensive blood work reviling that she has Lupus and Sjogrens (Sjogrens being predominate) auto immune diseases, possibly the results of the hep C. A resent routine check showed something suspicious so a PET scan and bone morrow biopsy was preformed. The results reviling that the lymphoma has spread to multiple places, the bone morrow clear. Monday, Sept. 26 her Dr. went through the test results with us and told us his plan of treatment. Which will be a six month treatment, two days back to back. The first day will be chemotherapy and immunotherapy and the next day just immunotherapy. At month four another PET scan to see what is happening. Th Dr. and especially his nurse took the time to answer our questions and explain many things to us. On the 28th she had a GI consultation in preperation for a endoscopy and colonoscopy. Cindy has had soreness in her abdomen during this time and what we found interesting is that ther is a bacteria that can be in the stomach called h pylori that is connected with the type of lymphoma (MALT) she has.