Lester diagnosed with form of cancer

[Philly Pride]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2569341

WebMD: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is cancer of the cells of the lymphatic system. In non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cells in the lymphatic system divide and grow without order or control, or old cells do not die as cells normally do. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can start almost anywhere in the body. It may occur in a single lymph node, in a group of lymph nodes, or in an organ such as the spleen. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can spread to almost any part of the body, including the liver, bone marrow, and spleen.
Over time, lymphoma cells replace the normal cells in the bone marrow. This causes bleeding problems and infections. As the lymphoma cells spread, the body becomes less and less able to produce blood cells that carry oxygen to other tissues or to protect itself from infection.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is different from Hodgkin's lymphoma and occurs about eight times more often.

Good luck to Lester recovering from this. It would be really crappy for such a young talent to be derailed by something like this.

[PlayingWithFire]

Good luck

[KoopaTroopa211]

Good luck, man.

[jzfran]

It's sad news from Boston. Lester is a great pitcher and from what I hear a great guy. I wish him a speedy recovery and this really puts baseball in perspective.

[cordscords]

Really hope that he ends up being ok. Hope you get better John.

[mweir145]

Both my uncle and my cousin got this form of cancer over the past few years. My uncle died from it, but my cousin recovered and is now currently going to university. The main difference between the two cases was that the doctors found it early in my cousin, but very late in my uncle.

Hopefully they found it early in Lester with these tests, and he hasn't been having these problems for awhile. It might be a long recovery for him regardless, though. Good luck.

[thedude]

From what i hear, there is a 75% recover rate from this form of cancer and it requires about 6 months of kemotherapy.

Good luck Lester. I hope you beat this and return to the game you love.

[go_jays_go]

Get better Jon. Here's to a speedy recovery and all the best.

[Mugrila]

Never a good situation for anybody, much less somebody with such a bright future. All the best Jon.

[Richie Rich]

You really put baseball aside in this type of situation and take a step back...Good Luck Jon we are pulling for you. All the best.