My husband has completed 4 chemotherapy sessions for high grade b cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma. 2 more to go.
His appetite is improving.
He shows fatigue, some anxiety, reluctant to exerise especially in the days immediately following the treatment.
Is it usual to get a scan mid-way through the treatments?
Is it normal to feel cold as a result of chemotherapy?
Is it normal to stop the allopurinol tablet after 4 treatments?
The consultant did not say that allopurinol would stop.
He is coping well,I think.
Hi R P W and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am sorry to see you joining us and to hear about your husband.
I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups.
I don’t have DLBCL but for some context I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with a rare (8 in a million) incurable but treatable type of Cutaneous T-Cell NHL (a type of slow growing Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma) ……. eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare (4 in a million) type of aggressive Peripheral T-Cell NHL (a type of fast growing High-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma) was then presenting so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ is different I most definitely appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
To answer your questions….
His appetite is improving.
This is great… his body needs fuel and this comes from food
He shows fatigue, some anxiety, reluctant to exercise especially in the days immediately following the treatment.
Fatigue will invariably build as he goes through treatment…. my great CNS - Cancer Nurse Specialist advised me one of the main tools I had to control, even reduce fatigue developing is to keep as active as possible….. the less he does the longer his recovery will be and his fatigue will most likely develop quicker
Is it usual to get a scan mid-way through the treatments?
On the whole midway scans are very normal as this is used to assess how well treatment is working and if required changes can be made……although I did not have nut as my mass was very noticeable on my neck I did not need a scan
Is it normal to feel cold as a result of chemotherapy?
Oh yes, most certainly you can feel more cold…. made worse as it’s winter. Chemotherapy can affect our bloods especially our playlets and this does thin the blood and this results in being cold. I have been on anti-platelets meds for near 4 years after my heart attack.
Is it normal to stop the allopurinol tablet after 4 treatments?
The consultant did not say that allopurinol would stop
I have no answer for this, you need to check this with his consultant as they must have a reason…… I was on allopurinol all the way through my 6 cycles of R-EPOCH….. but also during my 2 Allo (donor) Stem Cell Transplants.
Always around to chat and answer questions ((hugs))
Thank you fir your responses,Mike.
I wish you/family a happy, healthy 2025.
Hi R P W I and my family are doing great…… I am 9+ years out from my last treatment, turned 69 last Nov and living a great life.
My 25 years story is rather complicated (See my story) as I had to go onto have significant treatments mainly due to me developing a second more aggressive type of T-Cell NHL in late 2013……….. but this can be done…. Lymphoma is ever so treatable.
Hi. I think Thehighlander has covered things mostly as I found things.
The only difference is I found days two to five were the days I was able to get things done and then went downhill when the steroids stopped.
The last two cycles I found the hardest. I'm not sure the side effects were getting worse other than the fatigue. I was just finding things very tedious. This was back in 2020 during lockdown so not being able to get out and about a bit which didn't help.
RPW here,Feb 8th 2025.
Hope you are all in decent health, and made a positive start to 2025.
My husband is coping quite well, has 5 P chop treatments done. Fatigue, anxiety, digestive problems persist.
He did get a spell or two doing light exercise in the gym from time to time, when he felt fit.
Ct scan coming up Mon,10th.
Hoping he will get the 6th chemotherapy treatment at end of week. Take care. RPW
Good morning R P W and good to hear from you.
This is an encouraging post…., as you are not highlighting any specific dramas during his first 5 cycles…. and the fact that he has been exercising is amazing as this is one of the best ways to reduce the fatigue…. Sounds counter intuitive but it was exactly the thing I did.
Lets look a good scan result and for him to complete treatment and for you both to move life on from this temporary interruption in your married life ((hugs))
My husband is deemed unfit for the 6th chemotherapy treatment today,Feb 12th.
Scan done Monday 10th Feb.
No result was available today.
He is feeling weak, wobbly, and agreed with the consultant that the 6th chemotherapy would be delayed one week.
The coming week will give him time to regain strength.
A little break will give an opportunity to build up before getting over that final hurdle ((hugs))
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