Sparklingh20s
07-14-2008, 07:12 PM
My husband has just been diagnosed. We are waiting on the bone marrow biopsy. He had his first CHOP today.
Anyone else have this diagnosis? Any info on CHOP???
What can we expect??? I am so lost on the internet, there really isn't much info :(
Anyone else have this diagnosis? Any info on CHOP???
What can we expect??? I am so lost on the internet, there really isn't much info :(
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eat2na
07-16-2008, 12:12 AM
Hi. I am a Lymphoma survivor and I was also prescribed CHOP back in 1996. Today I am very healthy with no side effects.
Well the first chemo treatment was ok. I didn't really know what to expect. I remember even eating lunch at the treatment facility before I was about to receive my first treatment.
By the second treatment the nausea and vomiting started. I was a not able to keep anything down. I was even prescribed nausea medication but it didn't help. It is possible that there is new nausea medication available now. But back in 1996 that was my major problem. It got so bad with the nausea that I develop a phobia of the treatment facility. As soon as I pull over in the parking lot for treatment I started to vomit. Even without chemo in me, just from the smell of the place.
As the third treatment started, one day I was taking a shower and I was washing my hair and noticed all the hair was in my hands!! Just for a test I decided to pull my hair with my fingers and I was able to take it off with my fingers with no pain. As the days passed all my hair started to fall off, I mean all, including my eyebrows.
I was sick for like two weeks after they put the chop in me. Unable to eat anything. Just crackers and jello. Then you get OK for like a week. Then they treat you again and is all down hill for the next two weeks, then one free week and so on. Something I develop that was most frustrating was a 24 hour a day hiccup.
Do not give up.. Stay with the treatment. The doctors need to find a balance between almost killing you and getting rid of all the cancer cells.
They will do a lot of blood test on you and xrays and ct scans.
A few times I was not able to get a hold of the doctors over the weekends and ended up in the emergency room. Once it was for problems breathing and anxiety and the other time I was caughing up blood.
After the six treatments spanning a few months then I started with radiation therapy. There was no side effects from radiation and my hair started to grow and my appetite was back. After that they saw me every few months, then six months, then once a year, then one day the doctor told me I didn't need to see him anymore unless I suspected something was not right, and then to just go to my family doctor.
Be aware that you will go thru some emotional and mental hurdles. For me first it was really bothersome thinking about my mortality. Something really scary for me was feeling the pain that somebody on deathrow feels. I would not wish that to anybody. I felt like that when I was first diagnosed and then for the next few weeks while looking at my first born daughter that was only two years old at the time. I cried a lot kind of like when somebody you love dies and wondering why something that usually happens to other people had to happen to me.
Then you get hope from your treatment when the doctors tell you it is working and the Xrays show it is removing the Cancer.
After you finish all the treatment you will feel very vulnerable and self aware of your physical body. I became overly aware and everytime I got a fever or felt weak, or had a certain pain anywhere I got really scared and though the cancer was back. Do not worry as this is normal and it will play with your mind because you don't know if it is the cancer that is back or just a normal ache.
I have been cancer free now for 12 years and I am back to my old self. I feel guilty sometimes for not really taking more care of myself after being given this second chance. I am basically back to all my bad habits that I had before I was diagnosed.
Well the first chemo treatment was ok. I didn't really know what to expect. I remember even eating lunch at the treatment facility before I was about to receive my first treatment.
By the second treatment the nausea and vomiting started. I was a not able to keep anything down. I was even prescribed nausea medication but it didn't help. It is possible that there is new nausea medication available now. But back in 1996 that was my major problem. It got so bad with the nausea that I develop a phobia of the treatment facility. As soon as I pull over in the parking lot for treatment I started to vomit. Even without chemo in me, just from the smell of the place.
As the third treatment started, one day I was taking a shower and I was washing my hair and noticed all the hair was in my hands!! Just for a test I decided to pull my hair with my fingers and I was able to take it off with my fingers with no pain. As the days passed all my hair started to fall off, I mean all, including my eyebrows.
I was sick for like two weeks after they put the chop in me. Unable to eat anything. Just crackers and jello. Then you get OK for like a week. Then they treat you again and is all down hill for the next two weeks, then one free week and so on. Something I develop that was most frustrating was a 24 hour a day hiccup.
Do not give up.. Stay with the treatment. The doctors need to find a balance between almost killing you and getting rid of all the cancer cells.
They will do a lot of blood test on you and xrays and ct scans.
A few times I was not able to get a hold of the doctors over the weekends and ended up in the emergency room. Once it was for problems breathing and anxiety and the other time I was caughing up blood.
After the six treatments spanning a few months then I started with radiation therapy. There was no side effects from radiation and my hair started to grow and my appetite was back. After that they saw me every few months, then six months, then once a year, then one day the doctor told me I didn't need to see him anymore unless I suspected something was not right, and then to just go to my family doctor.
Be aware that you will go thru some emotional and mental hurdles. For me first it was really bothersome thinking about my mortality. Something really scary for me was feeling the pain that somebody on deathrow feels. I would not wish that to anybody. I felt like that when I was first diagnosed and then for the next few weeks while looking at my first born daughter that was only two years old at the time. I cried a lot kind of like when somebody you love dies and wondering why something that usually happens to other people had to happen to me.
Then you get hope from your treatment when the doctors tell you it is working and the Xrays show it is removing the Cancer.
After you finish all the treatment you will feel very vulnerable and self aware of your physical body. I became overly aware and everytime I got a fever or felt weak, or had a certain pain anywhere I got really scared and though the cancer was back. Do not worry as this is normal and it will play with your mind because you don't know if it is the cancer that is back or just a normal ache.
I have been cancer free now for 12 years and I am back to my old self. I feel guilty sometimes for not really taking more care of myself after being given this second chance. I am basically back to all my bad habits that I had before I was diagnosed.
moderator2
07-16-2008, 08:55 AM
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Sparklingh20s
07-16-2008, 12:29 PM
Thank you so much for responding!~ I was starting to worry that no one had had this before!
Did you also have the Per. Tcell Lymphoma? This gives me hope!
My husband has been having the hiccups!! What did you do to stop them?
Did you also have the Per. Tcell Lymphoma? This gives me hope!
My husband has been having the hiccups!! What did you do to stop them?
Nassau one
07-16-2008, 06:32 PM
My husband had bad hiccups after treatment for a different cancer and the oncologist prescribed something which was very effective. I cannot remember the name of it so I would suggest you speak to your oncologist or doctor to get relief from this...it can be quite exhausting!
Hope your husband responds well to treatment.
Alison
Hope your husband responds well to treatment.
Alison
osorosy
07-16-2008, 08:05 PM
Hi
I have Bcell Lymphoma and recieved the R Chop therapy. I was given the max dose as I was very advanced. I did get very queasy and extremely fatiuged but no vomiting, the medicines are amazing. I am happy to report that as of yesterday I am in remission.
Good luck to you and your husband
Kari
I have Bcell Lymphoma and recieved the R Chop therapy. I was given the max dose as I was very advanced. I did get very queasy and extremely fatiuged but no vomiting, the medicines are amazing. I am happy to report that as of yesterday I am in remission.
Good luck to you and your husband
Kari
Sparklingh20s
07-16-2008, 09:49 PM
Nassau One Thankyou all. We have an appt for blood work on Monday, I'll ask about something for the hiccups.
Osorosy,
congratulations on being in remission! Did the fatigue let up at all in between treatments?
Any foods that he should stay away from?
Osorosy,
congratulations on being in remission! Did the fatigue let up at all in between treatments?
Any foods that he should stay away from?
eat2na
07-17-2008, 05:31 PM
Thank you so much for responding!~ I was starting to worry that no one had had this before!
Did you also have the Per. Tcell Lymphoma? This gives me hope!
My husband has been having the hiccups!! What did you do to stop them?
I don't know if mine was the Peripheral kind. I will look it up in my records and get back with you. Non-Hodkings usually respond very well to chemo. Please don't be freak out
when you go online or in books and read about the 5 year or 10 year. Take that part with a grain of salt. I didn't know any better and when I read the 5 year survival rate it really bothered me.
Did you also have the Per. Tcell Lymphoma? This gives me hope!
My husband has been having the hiccups!! What did you do to stop them?
I don't know if mine was the Peripheral kind. I will look it up in my records and get back with you. Non-Hodkings usually respond very well to chemo. Please don't be freak out
when you go online or in books and read about the 5 year or 10 year. Take that part with a grain of salt. I didn't know any better and when I read the 5 year survival rate it really bothered me.
Sparklingh20s
07-17-2008, 09:46 PM
I don't know if mine was the Peripheral kind. I will look it up in my records and get back with you. Non-Hodkings usually respond very well to chemo. Please don't be freak out
when you go online or in books and read about the 5 year or 10 year. Take that part with a grain of salt. I didn't know any better and when I read the 5 year survival rate it really bothered me.
Thank you! I truly appreciate all your input and help.
when you go online or in books and read about the 5 year or 10 year. Take that part with a grain of salt. I didn't know any better and when I read the 5 year survival rate it really bothered me.
Thank you! I truly appreciate all your input and help.
eat2na
07-19-2008, 12:25 AM
Also another thing. I was told that chop would cause me to be sterile or give me reproductive problems. Guess what? My wife gave birth to our second child two years ago. I have been in remission since '96. We were not really thinking about having another one and since I was told It would be near impossible to have a child we were not being really careful anymore. LOL.
eat2na
07-19-2008, 12:49 AM
Got my medical records. My Lymphoma was "Large multilobulated B-Cell Type" B-Cell and T-Cell Lymphomas respond well to Chemo. The other kind are call Indolent and it is more of a chronic condition were the patient will need to have radiation treatments for a very long time. Good luck and I will check here once in a while.
Sparklingh20s
07-19-2008, 10:56 AM
Got my medical records. My Lymphoma was "Large multilobulated B-Cell Type" B-Cell and T-Cell Lymphomas respond well to Chemo. The other kind are call Indolent and it is more of a chronic condition were the patient will need to have radiation treatments for a very long time. Good luck and I will check here once in a while.
Thank you! I will let you know what the bone marrow biopsy says, we should have that back on Monday then hopefully they can tell us what stage he is.
So far he has had very bad hiccups the first 3 days, bad indigestion, sleeping problems. But all in all the first round seemed to be not as rough as I had anticipated. I am sure as time goes on it wil get harder.
Thank you! I will let you know what the bone marrow biopsy says, we should have that back on Monday then hopefully they can tell us what stage he is.
So far he has had very bad hiccups the first 3 days, bad indigestion, sleeping problems. But all in all the first round seemed to be not as rough as I had anticipated. I am sure as time goes on it wil get harder.
eat2na
07-20-2008, 01:23 AM
I think the drug that I hated most from the Chop treatment was the one that turned my urine red. It was injected and was told by the nurse that it would burn your skin if it would spill out from the syringe. Sometimes I was nauseous and just the smell from the red urine took me over the edge. Gross stuff. Sorry.
Tell him to drink plenty of water.
Tell him to drink plenty of water.
Sparklingh20s
07-20-2008, 10:38 AM
I think the drug that I hated most from the Chop treatment was the one that turned my urine red. It was injected and was told by the nurse that it would burn your skin if it would spill out from the syringe. Sometimes I was nauseous and just the smell from the red urine took me over the edge. Gross stuff. Sorry.
Tell him to drink plenty of water.
He had to urinate 1/2 way thru the chemo and his urine was red already! It's not 6 days later and he is starting to get pain when he urinates, I think he needs more fluids. His stomach is so sore. He's eating small meals. Serious headaches last night too. This is going to be a long 5 months for him, but if it keeps him in remission after the fact we'll take it!!!
Were there any foods that you ate that helped you??
Tell him to drink plenty of water.
He had to urinate 1/2 way thru the chemo and his urine was red already! It's not 6 days later and he is starting to get pain when he urinates, I think he needs more fluids. His stomach is so sore. He's eating small meals. Serious headaches last night too. This is going to be a long 5 months for him, but if it keeps him in remission after the fact we'll take it!!!
Were there any foods that you ate that helped you??
Sparklingh20s
07-20-2008, 10:41 AM
Also another thing. I was told that chop would cause me to be sterile or give me reproductive problems. Guess what? My wife gave birth to our second child two years ago. I have been in remission since '96. We were not really thinking about having another one and since I was told It would be near impossible to have a child we were not being really careful anymore. LOL.
That's wonderful! They've told that to us too, no worries here as we have kids in their 20's and almost 30! We are looking forward to grandkids in the next couple of years, not more kids!LOL!
That's wonderful! They've told that to us too, no worries here as we have kids in their 20's and almost 30! We are looking forward to grandkids in the next couple of years, not more kids!LOL!
eat2na
07-20-2008, 12:46 PM
He had to urinate 1/2 way thru the chemo and his urine was red already! It's not 6 days later and he is starting to get pain when he urinates, I think he needs more fluids. His stomach is so sore. He's eating small meals. Serious headaches last night too. This is going to be a long 5 months for him, but if it keeps him in remission after the fact we'll take it!!!
Were there any foods that you ate that helped you??
Well it was weird, I remember eating mashed potatoes a lot. The instant kind that you mix with water, milk, butter etc.
Other drugs that I was under at the time that I think helped me were Prozac and Ativan.
Were there any foods that you ate that helped you??
Well it was weird, I remember eating mashed potatoes a lot. The instant kind that you mix with water, milk, butter etc.
Other drugs that I was under at the time that I think helped me were Prozac and Ativan.
Sparklingh20s
07-22-2008, 08:51 PM
Well it was weird, I remember eating mashed potatoes a lot. The instant kind that you mix with water, milk, butter etc.
Other drugs that I was under at the time that I think helped me were Prozac and Ativan.
They gave him Ambien to sleep which has helped. The thing now is is insides are on constant fire.
Do you remember how far into the weeks before the next treatment that made you feel better???
Other drugs that I was under at the time that I think helped me were Prozac and Ativan.
They gave him Ambien to sleep which has helped. The thing now is is insides are on constant fire.
Do you remember how far into the weeks before the next treatment that made you feel better???
eat2na
07-23-2008, 09:52 AM
They gave him Ambien to sleep which has helped. The thing now is is insides are on constant fire.
Do you remember how far into the weeks before the next treatment that made you feel better???
Is he taking an antacid? Ask the doctor for a prescription for Prevacid. It takes 24 hours to work but then it is only one pill a day.
I remember having up and downs and only felt ok like the week just before my next treatment. Something else I remember now, was the constant restlesness all over my body like if I had ants in my pants lol.
Monitor the ambien usage. Some people get really weird on it. Like cook food or drive cars while asleep. Some lady on this board, I think, said she showed up all Wal-Mart in her pajamas one day and didn't remember how she got there.:confused:
Do you remember how far into the weeks before the next treatment that made you feel better???
Is he taking an antacid? Ask the doctor for a prescription for Prevacid. It takes 24 hours to work but then it is only one pill a day.
I remember having up and downs and only felt ok like the week just before my next treatment. Something else I remember now, was the constant restlesness all over my body like if I had ants in my pants lol.
Monitor the ambien usage. Some people get really weird on it. Like cook food or drive cars while asleep. Some lady on this board, I think, said she showed up all Wal-Mart in her pajamas one day and didn't remember how she got there.:confused:
Sparklingh20s
07-23-2008, 10:50 AM
Is he taking an antacid? Ask the doctor for a prescription for Prevacid. It takes 24 hours to work but then it is only one pill a day.
I remember having up and downs and only felt ok like the week just before my next treatment. Something else I remember now, was the constant restlesness all over my body like if I had ants in my pants lol.
Monitor the ambien usage. Some people get really weird on it. Like cook food or drive cars while asleep. Some lady on this board, I think, said she showed up all Wal-Mart in her pajamas one day and didn't remember how she got there.:confused:
Pepto is the only antacid right now, I'll ask about the prevacid. I'll keep an eye on him with the Ambien, yet it is working, he is sleeping a good 7hrs at night right now.
The Doctor gave him a prescription for the hiccups, Calecfron (sp?) I have to check the med when I get home. It's a med they give MS patients to hep with spasms. He was told to bring it to the next treatment so I assume he'll take the 1st pill at chemo.
He is getting SEVERE abdominal pains, I hope these subside soon.
I remember having up and downs and only felt ok like the week just before my next treatment. Something else I remember now, was the constant restlesness all over my body like if I had ants in my pants lol.
Monitor the ambien usage. Some people get really weird on it. Like cook food or drive cars while asleep. Some lady on this board, I think, said she showed up all Wal-Mart in her pajamas one day and didn't remember how she got there.:confused:
Pepto is the only antacid right now, I'll ask about the prevacid. I'll keep an eye on him with the Ambien, yet it is working, he is sleeping a good 7hrs at night right now.
The Doctor gave him a prescription for the hiccups, Calecfron (sp?) I have to check the med when I get home. It's a med they give MS patients to hep with spasms. He was told to bring it to the next treatment so I assume he'll take the 1st pill at chemo.
He is getting SEVERE abdominal pains, I hope these subside soon.
eat2na
07-31-2008, 09:30 PM
Hi. How are things going?
Sparklingh20s
07-31-2008, 09:38 PM
Hi. How are things going?
He was starting to eat a little better, tonight was a bad night though, he ate something a little too spicy, he thought he could handle, sees he can't. Chemo on monday.
I also had to shave his head the other night, the hair was coming out in clumps. His spirits are better.
Did each consecutive treatment make you sicker? Or was it pretty much the same as the 1st one?
He was starting to eat a little better, tonight was a bad night though, he ate something a little too spicy, he thought he could handle, sees he can't. Chemo on monday.
I also had to shave his head the other night, the hair was coming out in clumps. His spirits are better.
Did each consecutive treatment make you sicker? Or was it pretty much the same as the 1st one?
eat2na
08-01-2008, 12:01 AM
Well in my case I got worse. It came a time where I didn't know if I wanted to go on one more treatment. Like when I had two treatment left. I felt like couldn't take it anymore. Sorry.
Tell him to hang in there. I became really anxious as the day got closer to the treatment. Do not be afraid to ask for medicine that will numb him mentally, the day before, and also treatment day.
Tell him to hang in there. I became really anxious as the day got closer to the treatment. Do not be afraid to ask for medicine that will numb him mentally, the day before, and also treatment day.
Sparklingh20s
08-01-2008, 09:55 AM
Well in my case I got worse. It came a time where I didn't know if I wanted to go on one more treatment. Like when I had two treatment left. I felt like couldn't take it anymore. Sorry.
Tell him to hang in there. I became really anxious as the day got closer to the treatment. Do not be afraid to ask for medicine that will numb him mentally, the day before, and also treatment day.
Thank you, honesty is what I need. He will have a break between treatment 3 and 4 due to our daughter getting married, I hope this helps a bit. I will also ask more questions this next treatment as to what we need to do to keep him comfortable. THANK YOU!!
Tell him to hang in there. I became really anxious as the day got closer to the treatment. Do not be afraid to ask for medicine that will numb him mentally, the day before, and also treatment day.
Thank you, honesty is what I need. He will have a break between treatment 3 and 4 due to our daughter getting married, I hope this helps a bit. I will also ask more questions this next treatment as to what we need to do to keep him comfortable. THANK YOU!!