Have had breathing problems for a long while and been treated for asthma, at my last doctors appointment in October I asked for chest x-ray which showed a collapsed lung and I was referred to the respiratory hospital consultant with my first appointment 2 weeks later. Had a bronchoscopy on 21st October and a CT scan on 24th October, however started with pneumonia on 25th October and ended up in hospital for 2 weeks where they also did a rigid bronchosccopy and a biopsy, home a week and then back in again. While in hospital the second time the results of my tests came in and I was told that I had a blood lymphoma, a couple of days later this was confirmed as diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma and I was transferred to the heamatology consultant. Must say that although I struggled at the doctors initially the hospital staff throughout have been fantastic (Pontefract, St James and Pinderfields) and have given fabulous support especially when I first found out as I was very emotional. I was put on R-CHOP chemotherapy treatment and as I was still in hopital at the time had this as an in-patient with the Rituximab on 24th November and the chemo on 25th November, but follow up should be as outpatient. Am told that I will need at least 6 and possibly 8 cycles of chemo and because the lymphoma has presented in my lung as well as the lymph nodes under my breast bone (not sure why but have suffered lung problems all my life so figures really) will need 2 further in-patient treatments once the chemo has finished.
Still struggling with chest problems and coughing up gunk, not sure if its still infection or if its the dead tissue and abcess material that they have said is around the lymphoma in my lung but have been on anitibiotics to try and sort this.
Side effects so far were migraine straight after chemo and then sickness for a couple of days. Did get loads of water retention which was really uncomfortable around my back and stomach and my feet and ankes. This went practically overnight when I went from 12 stone 4 to 11 stone 2, not sure if it was because of stage of treatment, finishing my steroid tablets or getting some new antibiotics the day before, suppose I will have to see what happens next time to see if it is a pattern or a one-off. Moods are up and down, get weepy from time to time, this is normally after I have had to talk to someone new about my cancer.
Have my first bloods appointment tomorrow at 10.45 and then am back at 6.50 for another ECG - this is to monitor fluid that was around my heart to see if still there or if it has gone, hoping it has gone.
FormerMember
Hi there, thank you for sharing your journey so far. My, what a lot you have been through in such a short time! This is the best place to put down your thoughts and feelings because we will be able to offer you support and positive thoughts. There's always someone around to 'listen'. Sending you a big hug and hoping that you will continue sharing your journey.
You have been through the mill haven't you and now you are having the Best treatment!!!
i have Non-hodgkins lymphoma and presented in a similar way to you in 2005.
to cut my story to the important bits - i had 6 cycles of R-chop and for the last 2 years I have had Rituximab every 3 months as maintenance treatment .
i want to let you know ,in case you need to know in times ahead, that I did the London marathon in 2007 and believe me there is NOTHING special about me . What I am saying is that this can and will get better , just use all the support that is there for you .
Good to hear you're getting the right treatment and that you've confidence in those treating you. With R-CHOP you're cerainly on the 'Rolls-Royce' of treatments. I've recently been through the same myself.
The weight loss could be due to a number of reasons. If it is due to the stage of the cancer itself then you may find that you continue to lose weight before the therapy really begins to strike back. I lost two stone in a few weeks. However, I've since managed to put much of this back!!
Anyway, be prepared to feel increasingly yuck for the first few months as the effects of the chemo are cumulative with each session. At least, this was my experience.
I'm not sure if the weepy stuff is the chemo, the shock or the cancer. But I cried buckets after I was first diagnosed and when I was on lots of chemo. Nearly 4 years on and in a stable condition, I think I'm still more emotional than I used to be. So don't worry about that little aspect of things. If you feel like a good cry, let it out. Better out than in is what I say.
Good luck with all the treatment. Ask questions, find out what's going on. It seems like you're getting good support so that's a bonus.
Keep us up to date with how you are and know that there are people here thinking about you.
It certainly seem slike everyone reacts so differently to chemo, the people here are such a great support and wealth of information. I do wish you well and look forward to hearing stories of your recovery xx
