Jeff Amundson

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.  

On August 28 I went to the ER with what seemed to be the start of a kidney stone.  Unfortunately, during the examination a CT showed there to be masses on my left kidney.  My temp spiked the next day and I spent 4 days in the Hutchinson ICU fighting Sepsis and low magnesium issues.  Additional CTs showed no other masses in my chest or abdomen, a very good sign.

It was decided to remove the left kidney.  On September 11 my kidney was removed and I spent a couple days at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital.  The surgery took 6 hours and was very intense due to the size of the masses.  It turns out the the pain was a benefit as these masses often go without any signs or symptoms.  All was well and it appeared they removed them completely.  The follow up pathology tests identified the mass to be a Lymphoma, a rare aggressive type.  

I was assigned a very good Oncologist in Hutchinson who ordered additional blood tests and a PET scan to determine next steps.  The PET scan showed mostly good results except for the involvement of a lymph node near the removed kidney.  Surgery was scheduled on September 24 for a Bone Marrow Biopsy and implantation of a power port to assist in the upcoming expected treatments.  Another day in the hospital and another surgery but all went well.  

We were referred to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester due to the rare type of lymphoma.  They confirmed that the cause was due to my Sjogren's Syndrome and the associated immune suppressant drugs I took to control it.  A chemo regiment was developed and includes a special drug currently being developed and in FDA approval.  Together this gives a greater then 90% chance of success with 7 treatments over the next 6 months.  

There are many hurdles and things to face as we move forward.  Hopefully the Caring Bridge will help keep others updated and allow everyone to stay in touch during the next months.  It is the loving strength and support from family and friends that will be invaluable to Patsy and I as we push through all the doctor appointments and infusions.  


Jeff and Patsy