Non Hodgkins Lymphoma "watch and wait"?
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2016
Posts: 492
Non Hodgkins Lymphoma "watch and wait"?
Was on a Special Issuance for Follicular Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Had been on remission after radiation for the last 2 years. Failed my CAT then PET scans recently. Needle Biopsy came back as a slow growing Follicular Lymphoma. Doctor says I should get no treatment and do a "watch and wait". My AME is saying that is a no-go with the FAA (not sure I trust him 100% because he has been wrong before on other stuff). I am going to get a 2nd opinion from another oncologist and then send my stuff to the Regional Aerospace Medicine Office.
I was wondering if there is anyone on this board who has been down this road before. Anyone with slow growing Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and was/is not getting any treatment. Wondering how OKC looked at this? I did call OKC and they were no help but I am going to send my stuff to my Regional Office and they said they can give me an answer.
Thanks in advance
I was wondering if there is anyone on this board who has been down this road before. Anyone with slow growing Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and was/is not getting any treatment. Wondering how OKC looked at this? I did call OKC and they were no help but I am going to send my stuff to my Regional Office and they said they can give me an answer.
Thanks in advance
#5
New Hire
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 5
I am not a pilot but am seeking some insight. A pilot friend of mine is facing this same condition (follicular lymphoma). Can anyone elaborate on what happens in a "watch-and-wait" situation? If a doctor thinks it's not the appropriate time for treatment, would my friend still be able to fly?
And once treatment starts, then what? Under what general conditions would a special issuance eventually become possible? Remission for a certain period of time? Drug-free for a certain period? I'd appreciate any insight.
Thanks!
And once treatment starts, then what? Under what general conditions would a special issuance eventually become possible? Remission for a certain period of time? Drug-free for a certain period? I'd appreciate any insight.
Thanks!
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2020
Posts: 378
I was in the same exact situation. Got a second opinion from the OSU James Cancer hospital and that Dr said "watch and wait" is stupid. I got 6 months of chemo. What sherpster did is hard to tell. A second opinion could save your life.