Newly diagnosed yesterday.

Hi moonqueen and welcome to our little corner but sorry to hear your journey.

Lymphoma is rather complicated as there are over 60 types of Lymphoma between Hodgkin’s and Non Hodgkin’s.

There are many types of treatments used including chemo, radiotherapy, Stem Cell Transplant and various others, Treatment can be for a few months up to many months you can hit our Community names to see our stories.

Once all your results are in and your type and stage is found a plan can be put together. Lymphoma is very treatable with great results.

Here is some information about Lymphoma: https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/about-lymphoma

You will have lots of questions so do ask as we will help as best as we can.

Hi Lynn

Sorry to hear you have lymphoma. It sounds like you have entered the system quickly and being looked after by a team of caring experts. And that can only be good news.

I'm a relative newbie to this: and just started my 5th (21-day) cycle of R-CHOP chemotherapy out of 6 cycles. I had a follow-up CT scan last week and they tell me the cancer has reduced by more than 50%. So good news so far.

In my case it all began after a CT scan, then a biopsy (a sort of core sample) taken from one of the largest affected lymph nodes seen on the CT scan. It was the biopsy -- with the result taking about a week -- and a discussion amongst a team of oncologists and haematologists that identified the exact type of lymphoma I had. I too had a PET-SCAN about a week later to confirm and expand what the CT scan had shown. And a treatment plan was then put in place.

Take it easy on yourself. It all seems like putting one foot ahead of the other ... and following directions. And with sound luck we'll get through this!

Jim

The initial treatment is likely to be chemotherapy.  Which particular combination of drugs/targeted therapy will depend on the specific type of lymphoma you have.

My chemo lasted for 6 months in total.  R-CHOP was 6 cycles between mid-January and the end of April and then I had two rounds of high dose methotrexate.  I should have had 4 doses of intrathecal methotrexate as well but reacted badly to the second dose so the other 2 were dropped.  I started off on 14 day cycles but was changed to 21 day cycles half-way through as I managed to land in hospital with febrile neutropenia after the third cycle.

R-CHOP takes a considerable chunk of time and the first cycle it takes even longer.  The first session will likely take the whole day.  You'll be given drugs to take at home, and an injection of colony stimulating factor to self-administer each cycle to promote white cell production.

I achieved remission from chemotherapy alone.  If I hadn't, the plan was to target the remaining areas with radiotherapy.  I didn't have an interim scan because we knew chemo was working as my signs and symptoms were visible and resolved quickly.

If you're having R-CHOP, consider getting a port.  I didn't because it was only 6 cycles but 2 of the drugs in the protocol are extremely harsh on veins plus I had 4 hospitalisations during the treatment period.  My veins were trashed to the extent that it took 9 attempts to place a cannula by the time the first high dose methotrexate rolled around.

Hello moon queen,

My first post, I’ve only read the topics previously, but like many of the replies here, I’ve been on R-CHOP and completed four cycles. Luckily I haven’t had the side effects that many have other than the relentless feeling of exhaustion. 
The most anxious time for me was diagnosis. CT confirmed NHL but having a rarer type there were further genetic tests- keep yourself distracted with whatever makes you happy to stop you worrying as that really doesn’t help( I took my old car to pieces whilst waiting for the two weeks for results to come back ) 

I hope your diagnosis comes back as soon as possible and you can begin treatment- it’s tough, but a relief that you moving forward in these difficult times. It’s a manual process to get the exact type by microscopy and can require a second lab/consultant opinion for rare types.

The prednisone was and is double edged sword for me, a welcome relief from the chest pain and night sweats, but endless nights of very little sleep, and then a crash when coming off at each cycle.

if R CHOP is the the regimen for you, the specialist nurse should run through the effects you may encounter, but it really is good treatment, and successful for many. Its usual to have 6 cycles each 3 weeks apart and administered intravenously ( apart from P- prednisone which is tablet form)
I’ve just had my interim CT and told the cancer has virtually gone... roll on cycle 5

i also had intrathecal treatment with methotrexate which seems to be standard for those with spinal involvement, which filled me with dread but was actually not nearly as bad in reality as it was in my head. 

I wish you all the very best with the diagnosis and treatment, stay positive, and use the forum- I found it really helpful to reassure me and there are so many great supportive people out there.

Take care,
Nigel