Lester tested for Cancer

[Pinstripe_Pride]

My heart instantly went out to him when I read what he was diagnosed with because I remembered that the actor Richard Harris died from something either extremely similar to this or the same thing. Good thing is that he is in very good shape and I hope he recovers soon.

[a700hitter]

Baseball is not even close to important in light of his health. However, even if things go well for him and he is completely cured with no negative after-effects, the treatment and recovery will take many months. I don't think that even in a best case scenario, he will not be playing much baseball if any on 2007.

[jacksonianmarch]

I sincerely hope that he can make a full recovery. Good luck Jon.

[a700hitter]

An article in today's Herlad says that the cure rate for this cancer is better than 50-50. Yesterday, we were hearing 70%. I don't know if anyone on these boards has any experience with this type of cancer, but it sounds like this kid is going to be in for a very tough fight.

[ksushi]

On good morning america this morning it was described as a 'very treatable form' of lymphoma. I think no one knows but its treatable thats all thats for sure.

[a700hitter]

On good morning america this morning it was described as a 'very treatable form' of lymphoma. I think no one knows but its treatable thats all thats for sure.

I'd feel better about it if they were saying that it was a highly curable form of cancer rather than "treatable."

[jacksonianmarch]

I posted on royal rooters my research on the topic. Essentially, his type of cancer has two different prognoses depending on a marker that is either present or not present on the cancer cells. If that marker is present, then the 5 yr survival rate is 70-80%. If it is not, then the 5yr survival rate is 15-45%. Obviously this is dependent on the stage of the cancer, which from what it sounds like, it is above stage 1 as it has already invaded the strap muscles. That is what caused the back pain. His regimen is a 4 drug combo called CHOP. One of them is doxorubicin which has a horrible potential side effect of severe heart failure. This is going to be an uphill battle. Good luck Jon.

[ksushi]

Yeah, the word treatable rubs me the wrong way in a sense too. All you can do is just hope he pulls through.

[Cocos Disciples]

Just got back from NH, heard about this, just wow. I hope he can pitch again, let alone be a contibutor for the Red Sox, but that is not the main concern here. Things are just falling apart for this team.

[jacksonianmarch]

Yeah, the word treatable rubs me the wrong way in a sense too. All you can do is just hope he pulls through.

 

Everything can be "treated." Whether or not that is a good thing or not, we will see. I sure hope this kid can continue on with his life and have a full and productive one. I care not if he ever resumes playing baseball, just hope he lives through this and can go on and have what all of us hope we have some day. A wife, a family and a long life.

[greenwell39]

I don't listen to percentages and the word "treatable" when it comes to medical issues just because of the fact that when my mother went into the hospital, the doctors barely gave her a 20% chance to live (she had lung and pancreas issues). She fought for 4 months in the hospital, and it's now 4 years later and she is as strong as ever! Positive energy and amazing doctors work wonders!

[Jon_Papelboner]

Hopefully he's treated and recovers fully. Encouraging that it is treatable. Back injury was a blessing in disguise.