Posted on 04/11/2007 6:27:06 AM PDT by tsmith130
Damn! Will be on Fox today with Neil Cavuto.
Good point:) I try hard to stay objective in spite of my absolute conviction that Fred Thompson is the BEST man to move into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in 2009!
I have voted and worked half-heartedly for many years..to have a possible candidate to REALLY roll my sleeves up for is a joy hard to articulate:)
“to have a possible candidate to REALLY roll my sleeves up for is a joy hard to articulate:)”
Well, you’ve articulated perfectly! I haven’t felt this good about ANY candidate, EVER. I’m so happy!
Prayers, prayers, prayers - health first!
However, we also know it was originally spotted in a lymph node in his neck. Hence, it seems reasonable to assume his specific variant is a "Monocytoid B-cell Lymphoma" also known as a "nodal marginal-zone B-cell lymphoma (MZL)".
If this is true, then this info from the University of Michigan may be useful:
I got this from: New Small Lymphocytic Lymphomas
Nodal Marginal-Zone B-Cell Lymphoma
Nodal MZL account for ~2% of NHL and has been thought to be a nodal variety of MALT lymphoma (9). Clinically, however, nodal MZL is a more aggressive disease. Patients with nodal MZL present with more advance disease (71%) and BM involvement (28%), and have a corresponding poor prognosis with a 5-year overall survival rate of 56% and a failure-free survival rate of only 28%. Histologic transformation to a higher-grade lymphoma occurs in more than 20% of cases. In ~70% of nodal MZL, there is no involvement of spleen or extranodal sites.
Because conventional chemotherapy is not curative, patients are managed with expectant observation followed by combined chemotherapy.
This is not encouraging, but a couple of things should be pointed out:
1. This rare variant of lymphoma is often caught late, contributing to the poor prognosis. It appears Mr. Thompson's cancer may have been caught early. (I'm guessing on this: We have not been told.)
2. According to his doctor's statement, he was treated with Rituxan (Rituximab). The doctor did not mention which other drugs were administered at the same time, but this drug is usually given in combination with others (such as CHOP). This is GOOD NEWS.
The reason this is GOOD NEWS is that this is a relatively new drug with high hopes for excellent long-term results, but it is only useful against certain types of lymphoma. In particular, the current hope for this drug is that it will work extremely well against the subset of lymphomas that are are CD 20+. Assuming Mr. Thompson is in this category, then treatment with this drug means he has a very good chance of beating the otherwise dour prognosis for this particular variant of lymphoma.
NOTE: I have used the info available thus far to piece together what looks like the specific variant of lymphoma he has. I gave my reasons above, but the best source would for his doctor to provide specific details.
NOTE: For some reason, posting actual information about lymphoma has caused some on this thread to attack. I have not decided who I support, yet, but I certainly have nothing against Fred Thompson. I DO think the next President will have the world's most difficult job, at one of the most difficult times in our nation's history. I DO think part of the selection of that person is consideration of the person's overall health and stamina. Whoever it is will need it.
That’s the second reasonably balanced piece I’ve seen from Nedra Pickler in the past couple of days.
She must be off her meds....
“NOTE: For some reason, posting actual information about lymphoma has caused some on this thread to attack. I have not decided who I support, yet, but I certainly have nothing against Fred Thompson. I DO think the next President will have the world’s most difficult job, at one of the most difficult times in our nation’s history. I DO think part of the selection of that person is consideration of the person’s overall health and stamina. Whoever it is will need it.”
I think it is because of your doom and gloom outcome. There are many types of lymphoma and thank goodness, Mr. Thompson has the “good kind” (if there is such a thing). We are very protective of our next President and if he had ANY INCLINATION that this would affect him negatively while in office, he would back down immediately. But he has not; therefore, we will not!
I’m not going to sugar coat it, nor am I going to paint it as worse than it is.
It is what it is.
1) Incomprehensible as it may be, this is NOT the time to spew invective about this person's political agenda.
2) It is bad taste to announce "THE B@ST@RD FINALLY GOT WHAT WAS COMING TO HIM/HER!! YIPPEE!!
3) It is equally bad taste to muse aloud about why this had to happen to Hero Hank, when Villianous Vic... "deserved it alot more"
4) It is improper to announce that the Creator has visited justice on this person (it is even more inappropriate to do so with glee, but let's stick to basics). If they have died, it is true that they have faced justice. It would be wise to remember that justice awaits us all, and that God's eternal scale might have a few angles that you have not yet plumbed (yeah, I know that is hard for some of us to fathom!).
5) Don't post anything you would not want your momma to read if it was in a forum dedicated to YOUR death or illness
6) Don't assume you know the mind of God on this person's eternal fate(VERY difficult for some of my good buddies whose respect for the Bible is matched only by their ignorance of its contents). There are going to be some shockers on the last day. Look up "Manasseh" in a concordance and read up on him when you are tempted to pronounce eternal doom on someone because of their heinous acts.
7) Try to only post what you would want this person to carry with them into eternity. Imagine you were sitting with them as they died (or heard the bad news). What would you want them to remember?
8) Try basic decency instead of turning FR into a "hatearoo" (apologies to the Manchester TN gang!)
KUDOS TO THE MODS FOR POLICING THE IDIOCY THAT SURFACES WHEN THIS KIND OF NEWS SURFACES!!!!
No, my speculation. I hope I’m wrong.
Hope so!
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - Topic Overview
What is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is cancer of the cells of the lymphatic system. In non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cells in the lymphatic system divide and grow without order or control, or old cells do not die as cells normally do. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can start almost anywhere in the body. It may occur in a single lymph node, in a group of lymph nodes, or in an organ such as the spleen. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can spread to almost any part of the body, including the liver, bone marrow, and spleen.
Over time, lymphoma cells replace the normal cells in the bone marrow. This causes bleeding problems and infections. As the lymphoma cells spread, the body becomes less and less able to produce blood cells that carry oxygen to other tissues or to protect itself from infection.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is different from Hodgkin's lymphoma and occurs about eight times more often.
Are there different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma? Over the years, experts have used a variety of terms to classify the many different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Most often, they are grouped by how the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly they are likely to grow and spread. Aggressive lymphomas, also known as intermediate- and high-grade lymphomas, tend to grow and spread quickly and cause severe symptoms. Nonaggressive lymphomas, also referred to as indolent or low-grade lymphomas, tend to grow quite slowly and cause fewer symptoms early in the disease course.
In an effort to increase the understanding of lymphoma and standardize treatment, experts in Europe and North America (Revised European-American Lymphoma [REAL] and World Health Organization [WHO]) have revised the classification of lymphoma.
What causes non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
The cause of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is unknown. The incidence of NHL has continued to increase over the years. It is probably a genetic disorder and may require a "trigger," such as exposure to something in the environment, to develop. NHL is not contagious.
NHL is more common in men than in women.
The likelihood of getting NHL increases as you get older. NHL is most common among those who have an inherited immune deficiency, an autoimmune disease, or HIV; it also occurs among those who take medications that impair the immune system following an organ transplant. Viral infections, such as with human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1) and Epstein-Barr virus, increases the risk of developing NHL. Exposure to pesticides, solvents, or fertilizers increases the risk of developing NHL.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin. Other symptoms may include:Unexplained fever. Night sweats. Extreme fatigue.Unexplained weight loss. Itchy skin. Reddened patches on the skin. How is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed?
Once NHL is suspected, a piece of tissue (biopsy) must be obtained to confirm the diagnosis. Occasionally this can be done by inserting a needle into a lymph node, but usually the entire lymph node must be removed. The piece of tissue is then analyzed under a microscope by a pathologist to see whether NHL is present.
How is it treated?
Treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma depends on the stage of the disease, the grade of the disease, and your age and general health. The four treatment options available are:Watchful waiting (surveillance). Radiation therapy. Chemotherapy. Biological therapy
This can be, and often is, a serious, debilitating disease. Many such individuals become seriously depressed--it is unclear if this is a sequelae of the NHL or a response to the disease. In any case, claims of no disability should be examined with some skepticism although it is possible that in individual cases there is not significant physicial or psychological disability.
For an overview of Depression and NHL see: HERE Also, remember, steroids are sometimes used in treatment and these, alone, can cause significant changes in mood and functioning.
I hope I’m wrong!
No one is saying to sugar coat it. He and his doctor expect a good outcome.
EH, there are no guarantees that whoever is elected to office wouldn't develop a serious medical condition in the first month after taking the oath. (I know you know this, just pointing out that we'll never been 100% sure about anybody.)
That said, you have posted some good info and I appreciate it. I'm certain more details will probably be forthcoming especially if he announces for candidacy.
We might want to look at this as a "sort" of positive. For three years Fred has had medical scrutiny, tests, labs etc that most healthy folks haven't had, except perhaps the other candiates with cancer. Plenty of opportunity to detect other complications that might have arisen. He may be able to state his level of health much more soundly and confidently than many of us can.
And yes, stress associated with the presidency is a worry for any potential president for sure. But I return to my first sentence on this post.
Oh please. Take the tin foil elsewhere.
I think Thompson would be realistic enough to choose a really good Vice President. There is too much with Rudy I personally can’t go for, and he has the “C” card in his deck,too, along with a lot of other baggage. - There is no guarantee with any of them, Democrat of Republican, that their time might not be up in this mortal coil the day after inauguration.
But at least it's in remission, as he says, and that's important. My brother-in-law was diagnosed with it a couple of years ago and is now clear (and of course getting frequent checkups) after a full course of radiation and chemo. He celebrated his second anniversary clear a few months ago. <vigorous knocking on oak desk>
You’re nuts. Why would America have a “right to know” if America doesn’t have a REASON to know?
Boy howdy, is that ever true. Hasn't happened in this century, but Zachary Taylor and William Henry Harrison both died early in their terms, iirc, and Warren Harding didn't last long, either. James Garfield was assassinated just a few months into his term of office by an office-seeker. And only 26 years ago (boy, it seems like yesterday), Ronald Reagan was shot by a punk only two months into his great term. (Man, would that ever have been ugly if Ronnie had died, and the patrician Bushes succeeded by funeral to the office Poppy couldn't win on his own. Conservatives would have gone nuts -- and tinfoil would have had a 50-year bull market. Ugh.)
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