Onwards and upwards

Hi Folks,

Having finished 8 cycles of R-CVP on 16 Dec 2016, I am now in 'good partial remission'. I am satisfied with this outcome.

I started my first injection of Rituximab in early February. My skin has been very dry and this injection seemed to exacerbate it but it has now gone back to normal. I have no other symptoms and am now feeling like my old self. I have spent the last 3 days with my husband stripping out a bathroom ready for it to be turned into a wet room. Never put large floor tiles on a wall. You will live to regret it!

I return to work in a couple of weeks (4 days per week for the first 11 weeks) and continue to run 5km every weekend. As well as a 3km brisk walk every day, I have also been doing a 10 minute high impact training work out. I feel this has helped me get back to normality.

My diet is simple. I eat porridge and fruit for breakfast, homemade vegetable soup for lunch most days, meat and 2 veg for dinner. Nothing more complicated than that. I am pleased to say that my weight has now returned to normal.

I have completed 6 weeks of an 8 week Mindfulness course. Although, I haven't yet got it, I will continue practising it because the medical evidence on its positive effects stacks up. You don't have to believe it - you just have to practice it.

My haematologist told me last week that I have the right attitude. There's no need to start going through a bucket list - just accept the situation and live.

If anyone has a few quid to spare, my husband is cycling ~1000 miles for Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation. Research carried out by both organisations benefits people all over the world.

m.virginmoneygiving.com/mt/...

[Glenmeadow]

You go girl!!! You're an inspiration!

[Hidden in reply to Glenmeadow]

Thank you. We all carry each other!

[Tinkerbellcgy in reply to Hidden]

You are absolutely correct. We do carry each other.

[Felix_2010]

Thank you for this. I'm also having 8 rounds of R-CVP. I have my 6th cycle on Friday and had my CT scan yesterday. I know that the treatment has been partially successful but I also know that it's not a cure. I'm now contemplating how to go on after treatment and your positive post is just what I needed.

I struggle with exercise as I'm tired a lot of the time, so I need to up my game I think! Ha ha! Good luck with everything. Sounds like you're already nailing it.

[Reem-ayoub in reply to Felix_2010]

Hi! Just want to say good luck! My advise to you is take exercising gradually. My husband was feeling exhausted all the time especially that his spleen was enlarged. He started gradually. Take short walks every day and increase slowly. It will lift you up both physically and mentally. Start by deep breathing for five minutes and a little stretch. Hang in there!

[Felix_2010 in reply to Reem-ayoub]

Thank you ❤

[Hidden in reply to Felix_2010]

You'll be OK. I'm doing the best I can. The most important thing is be kind to yourself. I have read (Macmillian Cancer Care) that you should try to do exercise even if feel really tired as it helps with fatigue. There's something about being out in the open air that really helps the body as well as the mind. I was very tired over Christmas (had 8 cycle of R-CVP on 16 Dec) but on New Years Eve I had a burst of energy and invited the neighbours around for a impromptu party - I had a great laugh. Make sure you celebrate the end of chemo!!!

[Felix_2010 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I do struggle to get out and about after my treatment for the first week, but I'm hoping to at least walk a bit this time round. I'm eating healthy and trying to stay positive too

[Tinkerbellcgy in reply to Felix_2010]

Might I suggest that for exercise you consider taking your exercise in the pool. Swimming and/or aquasize is an excellent form of a more gentle exercise that you can go at your own pace. I attend aquasize geared to those of us that are 50+ and I was able to start out slowly and have worked my way up to a more vigorous pace. It makes you feel invigorated. I was even able to attend most of the time throughout my latest adventure in Cancer land last year.

[wmay13241]

Best of luck. Since NHL is likely to relapse I suggest you do a lot of research on your next treatment. These three sites have a lot of good lymphoma information:

lymphoma.org

lls.org/

lymphomation.org

[Hidden in reply to wmay13241]

Hi wmay13241. Many thanks for the links. I especially like lymphomation.org. We also have a good lymphoma organisation in the UK lymphomas.org.uk/ that you may wish to look at.

[Josie2rulrs]

best of luck toyou

[laylalulu]

Awesome!💪