Brand new diagnosis

2»

Comments

  • Simon24
    Simon24 Member Posts: 45
    #22
    Sal0101 said:

    Methotrexate

    My first methotrexate was delayed.  My WBC was too low.  The plan now is to have my first one Monday.  Thanks for the info on the spinal headaches.  I had a nasty one after my spinal tap, and wasn't expecting it as a side effect of the methotrexate. I'm certainly not looking forward to that.  How long do they last?

     

     

    Spinal Tap Headaches

    The headaches after the Methotrexate are no where near as severe in my husband as the initial 8 day spinal tap headache during his pre-chemo testing.  He rests after the treatment at the cancer center for about three or four hours and then again when he gets home. If he feels a headache coming on he tries to lie down for about 15 minutes and that seems to help.  If he absolutely has to go somewhere where he will be sitting or standing for long periods of time and gets a headache the doctor has prescribed oxycodone -acetaminophen 5-325 which takes away the headache.  It is strong and he doesn't drive when he takes one.  He actually hasn't needed to take more than a few the whole time.  The resting and drinking lots of water seems to help a lot.  Because they are only taking a little spinal fluid out for testing each time and are adding the Methotrexate I think that keeps the headaches from being severe.  The funny thing is if he still has a slight headache when he gets his R-CHOP a week after the Methotrexate treatment the headache goes away completely.  His WBC count has been pretty low after R-CHOP round 4 so we hoping he can go ahead with the Methotrexate on Thursday as planned.  I will be thinking of you on Monday and hope that everything goes very smoothly.  Just try to lie flat for as long as possible after the treatment and also drink a lot of water.    Simone

  • lindary
    lindary Member Posts: 711 Member
    #23
    Sten said:

    Lymphoma can be cured

    Hi Birder,

    Lymphoma can be cured.

    I was diagnosed with PCNSL (primary central nervous system lymphoma), a large B cell tumour in my cerebellum, at the age of 68 in the year of 2012. First I got cortisone, then three rounds of mixed chemo and antibodies, then stem cell collection, then high dose chemo followed by autologous stem cell transplant. The high dose chemo was tough - my stomach took three months to get in order again, and I was weak for months. But I recovered, and I am now NED (no evidence of disease) since late 2012, and feeling well.

    Good luck to you!

    Sten

     

    Stem Cell

    Sten,

    Monday I had the pulminary & cardio pre-stem cell tests. They all went well. My blood counts are also on target. I will be getting autologous SCT.  Today I met with the surgeon that is going to put in the catheter for the collection of the t-cells and later transplant. Next week I start the shots  to encourage the growth of the t-cells. When I go into the hospital I will get 6 days of chemo followed by the stem cell transplant. The whole time I have been reading up on SCT and talking with the Stem Cell team at teh hopsital I know the purpose of the high dose chemo is to kill off the ne marrow. Today in my meeting with my SCT nurse it suddely dawned on my that when the bone marrow is killed off so is all of the immunities I have built up over my life-time. What the nurse said that made me realize this is that after SCT is done I will need to talk to the dr to find out when I can start getting shots to replace those immunities, or at least some of them. Did you have to get the immunizations afterwards? About how long after the transplant did you get them and which ones?

  • pj2015
    pj2015 Member Posts: 7
    #24
    RayEB said:

    Thanks for all the info

    I also am 65 years old with large B-cell Lymphoma.  Diagnosed 9-20-15.  Pet Scan and Bone Marrow test 10-5-15.  Results: Stage 3a - Cancer in neck and upper chest Lymph Nodes and one fairly large spot in spleen.  Bone Marrow CLEAR (yippie).

    Chemo port installed 10-12-15 and first R-chop (of 6) 10-14-15.  Neulasta shot 10-15-15.

    Well, there are all the nasty details.....

    I also experiencied little pain in relation to the Bone Marrow test.  More simple pressure as he was screwing the needle with a T-shaped handle into my rear pelvic area.  Absolutely no pain or soreness afterwards.

    Oncologist assures me that the R-chop will do the deal.  Says I should come out of the treatment with a minimum of 5 yr. remission.

    I have taken all the instructed meds since my first R-chop (3 days ago) and thusfar have experience very little in the way of side affects of the chemo.  I trust that the meds I am taking are simply keeping this difficulty at bay.  A bit fearful next week when my Pregnizone (sp) runs out.

    Just trucking along and being pampered by my wonderful wife!!

    Mantel cell Lymphoma stage IV incurable

    Hello RayEB & group,

     Always been healthy 68 years old I recently learned I'm one out of four women to have MCL, while raising a four year old granddaughter.

    Diagnosed with B-cell Mantel Cell Lymphoma early in October. Power port installed 10/20/15. I feel this growing in me every day, but my chemo will not start until November 2, 2015.

Discussion Boards