Flo Johnson

I have been diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Burkitt Lymphoma.

Here are the details of that journey.  On Friday, September 23 I felt a lump on my neck.  I saw my primary care physician, Dr. Abalos.  She was suspicious of the hard lump and referred me to have an ultrasound.  On Monday, Sept.26, I had the ultrasound.  It showed several large swollen lymph nodes. I was referred for a Fine Needle Aspiration biopsy.  The biopsy was scheduled for Friday, Sept. 30.

On October 3rd, I was called to return to Dr. Abalos' office for the biopsy results.  Lymphoma was found in the lymph nodes.  I was scheduled for a CT scan on Oct 6 and referred to Dr. Reddy of the Roseville Sutter Cancer Center, Hematology Oncology  department.  My first appointment with him was on Oct. 11.  Dr. Reddy found conflicts in the results of the Fine Needle Biopsy.  With the fast growth of the lymph nodes I was diagnosed with non hodgkins lymphoma, High Grade  The biopsy results did not show a type and stage.  Dr. Reddy guessed the stage to be 2A.  The type is important because the treatment varies. I was referred for another, more extensive surgical biopsy, blood test, bone marrow biopsy, and a PET scan.

On Oct 13, I met with Dr. Barash, a cancer surgeon, who will do the biopsy.  The out patient procedure was scheduled for the next day, Friday, Oct. 14.  On Friday I had a very bad headache.  I asked for painkillers  before the surgery.  Surgery went well and I was sent home.  I would get results in 3 days.  That weekend the headache persisted.  On Tuesday morning, Oct 18, I emailed Dr. Reddy and explained the headaches.  Dr. Reddy called later that day, to say he was concerned about the headaches, and he did not have the results of the biopsy yet.  An MRI was ordered.

At this point I had scheduled the bone marrow biopsy for Oct 20th, PET scan for Oct 24, and the MRI for Oct 31st.  A follow up visit with Dr. Reddy was scheduled for Wednesday, November 2.

On Oct 19th while watching the Political Circus Debates, Dr. Reddy called me.  The preliminary result of the biopsy were in...the type was either Diffuse Large B Cell or Burkitt lymphoma.  I was referred to Dr. Michael Caroll at the Sutter downtown cancer center, as he specialized in those types of aggressive blood cancers.  His office called me on Oct 20th and set an appointment for that afternoon.

This type of cancer has a 80% change of a cure.  :-)  I will post further adventures on my journal.  Thank you for your love and support.