I think I have lymphoma
Discussion
@Moominho Sorry to hear about your dad, I'm sure he will smash it.
A guy at work was diagnosed with NH Lymphoma, had 6 sessions of R-CHOP, 1 every 3weeks iirc, but the chemo is tailored to each patient now, (age weight etc,) I've found that eating healthy (loving my Nutri Ninja juicer) and staying positive have helped.
My treatment is every 2 weeks and it seems I have 7 bad days(after the session) followed by 7 good days of everyone saying 'You don't look ill'
I think everyones image of someone with cancer is they lose all their hair and about 30 kilos, halfway and my hair has thinned but I still weigh the same. The good thing is now with the internet is there are plenty of websites and blogs where you realise you are not alone.
A guy at work was diagnosed with NH Lymphoma, had 6 sessions of R-CHOP, 1 every 3weeks iirc, but the chemo is tailored to each patient now, (age weight etc,) I've found that eating healthy (loving my Nutri Ninja juicer) and staying positive have helped.
My treatment is every 2 weeks and it seems I have 7 bad days(after the session) followed by 7 good days of everyone saying 'You don't look ill'
I think everyones image of someone with cancer is they lose all their hair and about 30 kilos, halfway and my hair has thinned but I still weigh the same. The good thing is now with the internet is there are plenty of websites and blogs where you realise you are not alone.Thanks a lot audikentman. Your advice has made me feel a lot better, it really has. My Dad's coming to the end of the first week after chemo, he's starting to feel a bit more sprightly now, and it's encouraging to see. Long way to go, but he coped with it a lot better than I thought he would. I'm super paranoid about infection but apart from that we are all doing okay.
My ABVD chemo is pretty standard for Hodgkins in the same way R-Chop seems the standard for NH Lymphoma. I have 2 week cycles pretty much write off the week after my Tuesday treatment, seem start getting better about Saturday, and then 7 days after (today) feel fine.
You are best being super paranoid about infection, seems to be 1 thing that the hospital warn against due to a low white blood cell count and the possibility of delaying the next treatment, I have a digital ear thermometer and check my temp morning and evening, and I have plenty of alcohol hand wash in my house and anyone who comes in has a squirt, I also tend to wash my hands and then also apply it to my hands hoping that it will end up coating door handles etc. Also if anyone comes round or if I meet people on the 2nd week of a cycle I will ask if anyone has a cold etc, I'm possibly being a bit Howard Hughes but halfway through and I haven't had a temperature, the worst I have had is a couple of days of mouth ulcers hence the juicer.
Good luck with your Dad it may help to look at or join some of the internet or Facebook support groups around, they have saved me from heading to A+E or phoning the NHS in the middle of the night when I've seen the symptoms are experienced by almost everyone having my treatment.
You are best being super paranoid about infection, seems to be 1 thing that the hospital warn against due to a low white blood cell count and the possibility of delaying the next treatment, I have a digital ear thermometer and check my temp morning and evening, and I have plenty of alcohol hand wash in my house and anyone who comes in has a squirt, I also tend to wash my hands and then also apply it to my hands hoping that it will end up coating door handles etc. Also if anyone comes round or if I meet people on the 2nd week of a cycle I will ask if anyone has a cold etc, I'm possibly being a bit Howard Hughes but halfway through and I haven't had a temperature, the worst I have had is a couple of days of mouth ulcers hence the juicer.
Good luck with your Dad it may help to look at or join some of the internet or Facebook support groups around, they have saved me from heading to A+E or phoning the NHS in the middle of the night when I've seen the symptoms are experienced by almost everyone having my treatment.
Edited by audikentman on Tuesday 16th June 19:39
Thanks, halfway for the chemo seems a bit of a milestone
I hope its going ok with your father.
I had a C.C'd letter today from the Hospital to the Doctor this morning. The basics are
'' I reviewed this gentlemen in the clinic today. He has now had two cycles of ABVD and has tolerated this reasonably well without any infection. His breathing is much better since he started the chemotherapy and also his cough has settled now.
On clinical examination there was no palpable lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly. Respiratory system examination was unremarkable. Cardiovascular system examination revealed normal heart sounds. He also has intermittent chest tightness and I have organised for him to have an echocardiogram to assess the LV function. He will proceed to complete the next two cycles of ABVD and have a PET scan followed by radiotherapy.''
I'm not sure I'm looking forward to the radiotherapy but I've not really got much choice tbh.
Have a good week everyone.
I hope its going ok with your father.
I had a C.C'd letter today from the Hospital to the Doctor this morning. The basics are
'' I reviewed this gentlemen in the clinic today. He has now had two cycles of ABVD and has tolerated this reasonably well without any infection. His breathing is much better since he started the chemotherapy and also his cough has settled now.
On clinical examination there was no palpable lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly. Respiratory system examination was unremarkable. Cardiovascular system examination revealed normal heart sounds. He also has intermittent chest tightness and I have organised for him to have an echocardiogram to assess the LV function. He will proceed to complete the next two cycles of ABVD and have a PET scan followed by radiotherapy.''
I'm not sure I'm looking forward to the radiotherapy but I've not really got much choice tbh.
Have a good week everyone.
Keep at it matey it sounds like things are going to plan so far.
It just goes to show how things have moved on, your comment about people thinking cancer sufferers lose their hair & lots of weight brought back an image of myself when I was fighting it, because that it exactly what happened to me.
It just goes to show how things have moved on, your comment about people thinking cancer sufferers lose their hair & lots of weight brought back an image of myself when I was fighting it, because that it exactly what happened to me.
Latest up date, hair has gone apart from a niffy Mohican, I was more fed up with unblocking the shower than anything. Apparently the reason you lose hair is the chemo drugs attack and destroy fast growing cells, the fast growing cells in my body are the lymphoma, hair and nails. My grey hair fell out 1st as these apparently the weakest.
Yesterday was my latest session took 4 goes to get the cannula in
a side effect is your veins turn to drinking straws, although I was told they heal themselves.
Got home from Kings and felt cr@p the worst ever straight after a session, normally takes a couple of days to get the chemo blues.
Still on the plus side just taken the post chemo 10 pills and a few more during the day. No injections to the stomach this time and not needed a blood transfusion so far.
6 down 2 to go.
When you look at what was being rembered in London as I was going in to the chemo room yesterday it puts my health worries into context.
Remember. Remember you maybe having a bad day not a bad life.
Yesterday was my latest session took 4 goes to get the cannula in
a side effect is your veins turn to drinking straws, although I was told they heal themselves.Got home from Kings and felt cr@p the worst ever straight after a session, normally takes a couple of days to get the chemo blues.
Still on the plus side just taken the post chemo 10 pills and a few more during the day. No injections to the stomach this time and not needed a blood transfusion so far.
6 down 2 to go.
When you look at what was being rembered in London as I was going in to the chemo room yesterday it puts my health worries into context.
Remember. Remember you maybe having a bad day not a bad life.
audikentman said:
Yesterday was my latest session took 4 goes to get the cannula in a side effect is your veins turn to drinking straws, although I was told they heal themselves.
Towards the end of my treatment I had a 'PICC line' inserted which helped a lot (no more hunting around for a suitable vein at the beginning of the session). a side effect is your veins turn to drinking straws, although I was told they heal themselves.The insertion and removal of the line was painless. I think I had it inserted for about two months. Washing/showering was a bit tricky (I held the arm outside the shower) and I had to watch out for infection at the insertion point, but it made things a bit easier.
I may be worth asking your nurses about it.
A question for anyone who has had ABVD chemo, or any chemo with steroids. Did you put weight on during it and did you lose it when you went onto radiotherapy or did you lose it once you had completely finished chemo and radio or didn't you lose it. Thanks
I've put some weight on since April but not sure if its due to the steroids or being to sick or tired to do much apart from a walk to the shops once or twice a week when I'm feeling ok.
I've put some weight on since April but not sure if its due to the steroids or being to sick or tired to do much apart from a walk to the shops once or twice a week when I'm feeling ok.
davejohnsid, thanks for the 1st hand advice, I had seen the steroids mentioned, that will explain the weight gain then I have a days were I can't stop eating, I make sure I have some houmous and fresh veggies in the fridge, at least I get some goodness down my neck. Hopefully only 1 more cycle (2 sessions) to go hopefully I will still fit into my clothes at the end
I have a days were I can't stop eating, I make sure I have some houmous and fresh veggies in the fridge, at least I get some goodness down my neck. Hopefully only 1 more cycle (2 sessions) to go hopefully I will still fit into my clothes at the end Another aspect is that chemotherapy can affect your taste buds. I think I ate more to 'chase' the taste food previously had (to try to get the same pleasure). I wasn't overly concerned about it as the priority was the Hodgkin's disease. Normal taste came back once the chemotherapy had finished.
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