Today's Update, BIOPSY DAY :~(

So, as you have seen, Andy is having a bone marrow biopsy today, they will also be taking out the large lymph node in his neck.  This was the one that was biopsied with a fine needle on Friday.  His type of cancer is either stage 3 or 4 Nodular Sclerosing Hodgekins Lymphoma. They hope to get more detail to guide their treatment regime from these biopsies.  It is expected to take 7-10 days for the biopsy results to be completed.

Just FYI, here is the criteria for the staging of lymphoma:

The stages of Hodgkin lymphoma are as follows:

• Stage I: The lymphoma cells are in one lymph node group (such as in the neck or underarm). Or, if the lymphoma cells are not in the lymph nodes, they are in only one part of a tissue or an organ (such as the lung).
• Stage II: The lymphoma cells are in at least two lymph node groups on the same side of (either above or below) the diaphragm. Or, the lymphoma cells are in one part of a tissue or an organ and the lymph nodes near that organ (on the same side of the diaphragm). There may be lymphoma cells in other lymph node groups on the same side of the diaphragm.
• Stage III: The lymphoma cells are in lymph nodes above and below the diaphragm. Lymphoma also may be found in one part of a tissue or an organ (such as the liver, lung, or bone) near these lymph node groups. It may also be found in the spleen.
• Stage IV: Lymphoma cells are found in several parts of one or more organs or tissues. Or, the lymphoma is in an organ (such as the liver, lung, or bone) and in distant lymph nodes. 

Here's a good link to additional information:
Hodgkins lymphoma

We all hope that the bone marrow biopsy is less painful than Andy is anticipating!