If it is Stage V lymphoma there are only 2 things that could possibly help him-- chemotherapy and steroids. The combination gave Simon 2 months, most of which were good, and probably would have given him more if he had not developed an autoimmune reaction to the cancer. He had Stage V lymphoma as well. They started him on a shot of dexamethasone (steroid) and Elspar, the first of the chemo drugs, and he started improving immediately.
If you do not want to try chemo, I would absolutely do the steroids anyway. A shot of dexamethasone and a shot of depomedrol. They shrink lymphoma, help with mouth ulcers, help with certain kinds of anemia, increase appetite, perk them up, and generally make them feel better. It was these steroids that pulled Simon out of his first slide toward death when everyone thought he was almost gone. I would do a shot of dex and a shot of depo today, then another shot of dex tomorrow. I personally would also try the Elspar, which only kills lymphoma and does not have other side effects or depress white blood cell count at all, and see if it helps him. It does not sound to me like there is any way to keep him here long term, but the treatments I just suggested could give him a few weeks or months with good quality of life if they work. (If the Elspar worked, you would need to go on to the next chemo drug, probably, to hold the effects). Michelle
