An urgent message to all members and guests -

[Mama Mangia]

We are a family here - and as a family we need to support one another.

Please - for MsMai - she needs us now more than ever.

Today Msmai received news that no parent or family member wants to hear - her youngest daughter has been diagnosed with Lymphomia.

Lymphoma is not one cancer, but a name for a group of related cancers that arise when a Lymphocyte (a blood cell) becomes malignant.

The normal function of lymphocytes is to defend the body against pathogens and infected cells: germs, viruses, fungi, even cancer. There are many subtypes and maturation stages of lymphocytes and therefore there are many kinds of lymphomas. When a lymphocyte becomes malignant (goes bad), it's biologic behavior is arrested at that stage.

Like normal cells, malignant lymphocytes can move to many parts of the body. Typically, lymphoma cells form tumors in the lymphatic system: bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and blood. However, these cells can migrate to other organs.

Certain types of lymphoma will tend to grow in locations in which the normal version of the cell resides. For example, it's common for follicular NHL tumors to develop in the lymph nodes. MALT lymphomas will manifest in other areas as described here:

"Lymphoid tissue in the human body is associated with the mucosal system. This tissue, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), is scattered along mucosal linings and protects the body from antigens entering along mucosal surfaces." -

There is much information out there -

Lymphoma Information Network - What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma: A Detailed Description
www.ehealthmd.com/library/lymphoma
Home - Lymphoma Research Foundation

for anyone that may be interested in learning more.

If anyone knows of a support group for MsMai - please post it.

I ask you - as family - to please include MsMai, her beautiful daughter and the rest of her family in your prayers. I've put them on a prayer list - can you also do the same?

We are here for you MsMai - please keep us posted.

Mama

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

Mama thank you for letting us know.

[Jafo232]

Wow, I am really sorry! Just know that every day someone beats cancer. EVERY DAY! It is not as big and bad as it once was and EVERY DAY people are kicking its butt! I know more people by far who have beaten cancer than who have succumbed to it. They all say, without an exception, that a positive attitude and knowledge are the two keys to success. Keep your chin up, upper lip firm, and you can beat this thing!

Best of luck MsMai!

[jglass]

I am so sorry to hear this.

[chubbyalaskagriz]

My heart goes out to your daughter, you and all your loved ones, MsMai. And you're all in my prayers. (mama- t hanks for letting us all know...)

[Redneck Charger]

Mama.. thank you fro telling us about Msmai so we can all think of her, ,and pray for her.. I put ther name on the BibleForums.. and many people will be parying for her.. Please God take care of Msmai..

[mrsjimmyp]

Thank you Mama for letting us know. My heart goes out to you Msmai. jafo is correct a positive attitude works wonders and there have been great successes in finding cures.Just know MsMai you and your daughter are in my prayers.I will put you on my churches prayer list and also on my online prayer groups.

[jfain]

I recently heard a statistic which said that today when you hear a diagnosis of cancer you can still expect to be around in 10 years. Cancer seems to be rampant but jafo is right I know lots of people who have beaten it so stay hopeful MsMai and we will be sending you our best wishes.

[MsMai]

With all my heart I thank each and every one of you. Please keep my baby in your prayers. God is so good. She went yesterday for the pre-op exam and we are waiting for the surgeon to schedule the OR to get it done. I wish she did not have to wait the weekend to find out when but we never know what we may have to endure before we leave this world. I think of a song by Marty Robbins, "This time you gave a mountain, a mountain that I may never climb." This is so hard for me, I have always been a mother first, everything else took second place. I am so luck to have wonderful friends here and your sweet support through this ordeal. Blessings to each of you.

[Mama Mangia]

And blessings from above to you and your family - please keep us posted.