My issue began with tremors for which I sought the services of a local neurologist. I was prescribed Primidone and sent in for blood work. The blood-test had the signature of Lymphoma. I was told to see a hematologist quickly. A subsequent PET scan showed evidence of cancer. Later a needle biopsy confirmed small cell Lymphoma. Subsequent CT scans and blood work were utilized to monitor Lymphoma. At that time I had swelling going on in both legs and feet. The doctor could not tell me if the edema was related to Lymphoma, To make a long story short, my oncologist retired and I set about to find another doctor. Upon finding the new doctor, we had the traditional get to know each other conversation. The new doctor, who was seeing me for Lymphoma, stooped me in the middle of the conversation and said "I think you have POEMS syndrome". The indicators of POEMS were positive and I was prescribed Revlimid (oral Chemotherapy) In the midst of the oral chemo, that doctor moved his practice and referred me to Mayo. To put POEMS in check, I underwent an autologous stem cell transplant. I was told that the transplant could take out the Lymphoma. I haven't had a scan post transplant. The lymphoma was not my primary issue. POEMS was the reason for the transplant. When I go back, in another 90 days, I was told that I would get another CT scan to see if the stem cell transplant had an effect on the Lymphoma. POEMS and lymphoma are two different things but I think of the transplant as killing two birds with one stone.

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