chemo tomorrow

[newerguy]

Starting Bendamustine Rituxan tomorrow, six treatments, probably maintenance after. I am 73 in good health, stage 3, type 3a. no bone marrow or organ involvement, largest node 3 cm. mostly smaller, located neck, upper abdomen, groin, etc. minimal symptoms. Chose chemo over watching. Given my age, will this be helpful? Remission or am I dreaming?

[Russ70]

First of all good luck. I am 50 and had 6 chemo treatments then rituxin every three months for two years maintenance. I got the good new that i was in complete remission in December. I found the last 2 sessions quite hard, but I'm glad i done it.

[newerguy in reply to Russ70]

Thanks for that, I guess my concern is how well any of these treatments will work at my age. I walk 4 miles or so every day and have no problems other than NHL which was found in an enlarged lymph node, probably had it for years.

[bhaktadas]

I would go for IV Ozone and Vitamin C before going for the chemo. I am in a similar situation as you. I will try everything before chemo.

[Charlie120920]

Best of luck to you. I think you made a wise choice of not going on watch and wait. I didn’t have a choice I was told I would be on watch and wait. Not sure whether that was due to my age (55). My NHL transformed into something very aggressive within two months and I ended up going in for emergency R-CHOP Chemo immunotherapy. It didn’t work. I then had RGDP chemo immunotherapy and that did t work either. My 3 cms lump in chest grew to 10.5 cms. Fortunately I got accepted for CAR-T Cell therapy and I am now 4 months in remission. I really hope the treatment works for you. Try to keep a positive attitude and believe it will work.

[newerguy in reply to Charlie120920]

Thanks, we will soon find out.

[bridgeoverriverkwai]

Good luck

[Jean49]

I had that treatment for NHL follicular B cell but was only able to complete 4 cycles due to pulmonary embolisms. It worked well for awhile but each person is different and, for many, it may provide complete remission.

[Lala1950]

Hey beautiful soul. I too did Rituxan thanks to my oncologist who didn’t want to put me through the hard stuff first. Sounds like your areas were as mine. I absolutely am walking and living proof that we made the right choice. Only side affects were chills and Benadryl helped that during infusion. I am over 15 years out and am sending prayers of love and healing for you!

[newerguy]

Thanks to all that have responded. Finished the first day of Rituxan and Bendamustine and the drugs taken to offset the side affects. Long day as the Rituxan is done so slowly in case of allergic reaction. I did well and had no problems, back tomorrow for just Bendamustine which will be done quickly. Watching for side affects the next week as time progresses. Walked around the neighborhood a bit this evening which felt good.

[Russ70 in reply to newerguy]

Glad you had no issues. On my second infusion 3 weeks later, the Rituxan was injected into my belly, instead of the long drawn out process of the drip. Cut more than half the time off. Everyone is different, though, I must say towards the half way point (4th cycle), I did start to get really tired while doing the most mundane things, like walking, laundry etc. When you feel tired, rest. I didn't want to at the start (not letting this chemo get me sorta attitude), but believe me you will feel better. You made the right choice. Chemo is a bad word, but it is totally changed since I was a kid. It works, as I am proof

[newerguy in reply to Russ70]

I was told that the process would speed up the second time around as there was no reaction to deal with, fine by me. I managed a five mile walk yesterday no doubt helped by the first instructed dose of oral steroid. One more today and finished, sleeping is a problem for me on this stuff. I suspect as this continues, things will become more difficult but so far I am coping reasonably well and am thankful that it is not to difficult. Thanks for the kind words.

[bhaktadas]

Please let us know how it goes and what are your side effects. This is the same treatment they want to give me.

[newerguy in reply to bhaktadas]

Second day after first treatment and nothing has changed much, I know a bit early. Another dose of steroid and the last for this round. Used the Neulasta self injector without problem or additional discomfort last night so far today. Not experience any nausea, which was a problem prior to this treatment, perhaps caused by anxiety of not knowing what was ahead. Will take a daily walk and putter around the rest of the day as normal.

[bhaktadas in reply to newerguy]

Thanks for the update. Much appreciated.

[newerguy]

Having significant problems with Neulasta....

[bhaktadas]

What are the problems?

[newerguy]

Bone pain, lower back, legs, chest, sweating, worse at night, should have been warned about this by nurses. Tylenol is of little value. Came on suddenly after injection and may go on for several day. Much on the web about this.

[HopeME in reply to newerguy]

Hi Newerguy:

Everyone experiences different symptoms. Based upon my experience it gets better after the first couple of treatments. Bone pain is hard to describe until you have had it but it is just that bone pain. My bone pain only lasted a short period. It will get better. Go easy on the nurses they are likely overworked and underpaid.

Best

Mark

[Jean49 in reply to HopeME]

I also had bone pain with the first dose ofNeulasta, but it lessened with each treatment. My nurse was great explaining it but now they just use an electronic tablet with the information on it.

[bhaktadas in reply to newerguy]

These are very heavy drugs and everyone has reactions. The prednisone Leia them down for awhile.

[newerguy]

Bone pain lasted about two days, woke up yesterday morning with fast erratic pulse and sweating. Diagnosed with AFIB, pulse rate up in the 160's and down, finally stabilized and spent the night in hospital, home now. Does Nuelasta contribute to AFIB? I have no cardiac issues.

[Clementslr in reply to newerguy]

Sorry to hear you are having problems. I am almost a year post stem cell transplant for DLBCL and had problems with an erratic heart rate after the high dose chemo that you receive prior to the transplant.It did eventually settle down but took a few weeks and the doctors thought was that it was caused by the drugs and also some high dose antibiotics that I was on because of an infection.

I am doing well now. Good luck.

[newerguy in reply to Clementslr]

Actually a week after chemo and heart rate normal, feeling pretty decent again, time will tell.

[bhaktadas]

Reading about the Neulasta it is supposed to help the white blood cells to help prevent infections after the chemo. When I had chemo in 2008 (CHOP) they never gave me anything like this. I remember only being told to eat only foods that are hot off the stove, and eat nothing raw. Had to be very very careful as the chemo kills all the white blood cells along with the cancerous cells, and it takes time for new cells to be produced.

[Russ70 in reply to bhaktadas]

I was on RCHOP. Never had any injections at home, but like you had to make sure all food was cooked etc

[bhaktadas in reply to Russ70]

I had all my injections as an out patient, nothing at home. Only prednisone for a few days after each injection session.

[chachi64]

I just finish my 4 treatment of Bendamustine and Rituxan and my pet scan came back all clear now I'm going to start on the 19th my maintenance with Rituxan for a year or two. Good luck with your treatment you got this!!!

[newerguy in reply to chachi64]

Best to you!!!

[bhaktadas in reply to chachi64]

Good news! Congratulations.

[newerguy]

I have had five treatments by now with one more to go. The PET scan I had mid treatment was totally clear, nothing lit up, nodes were not enlarged etc. We were all gratified, will have another scan sometime after the final chemo. Now the question, what happens after? Exams every so many months, scans. What about Rituxan maintenance? The onc will do it but says it is not always the best course with side effects, compromised immune system, etc. Any thoughts? suggestions? I can get a second opinion at O.S.U. if needed..........

[Photo_guy]

Congratulations on your successful treatment. I am in the same spot you were in at the beginning of the text string. I'm 68, diagnosed in February this year with stage 3 Follicular NHL. After having a PET Scan recently the oncologist determined that I needed to begin a 6-month series of Bendamustine and Rituxan which will start next week. I realize everyone will have different outcomes/reactions to the treatment, but in any case your journey gives me hope as well as a sense of the side effects I can expect. Thank you and best of luck as you move into the next phase of your treatment........ By the way, I am also a walker/hiker which I hope to keep up for as long as possible during the BR treatment.

[newerguy in reply to Photo_guy]

The treatments were not difficult with proper pretreatment protocol. No nausea etc. Some intestinal upset, fatigue etc. for a few days after. You should be able to keep walking. I have been bothered by AFIB taking Metropopal that helps , looking forward to the end of this. Not a walk in the park, but tolerable. The anticipation of chemo was more difficult than the chemo itself. Best of luck.

[flower2019]

A year and half ago I had the same treatment that you will be having…I was 73…I had 6 treatments…and so far all my CT scans have been normal. Hope the best for you also…