Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma

tsolheim
tsolheim Member Posts: 2
Hey everyone. I was diagnosed when I was 27, wife and mother of 2 (ages 1 1/2 and 3). My cancer was non-hodgkin's lymphoma. I had a large mass in my lower leg bone. I went through 6 rounds of chemo and had 20 radiation treatments. I had some side effects from treatment but happily I was never sick. It has been 4 years this month that I was diagnosed! Since then I have enjoyed every birthday and we even had another baby! Yes there is life after cancer. Feel free to email me.

Comments

  • rbranan
    rbranan Member Posts: 1
    I am undergoing 8 months of being cancer free. My wife and a mother of two (6.5 yrs & 2.5 yrs) is undergoing a second round of breats cancer. She is a more positive mind than I can imagine.
  • didi1031
    didi1031 Member Posts: 3
    I went through CHOP and got sick. I never worked while on chemo. I work in a hospital, so it was not allowed (too many sick contacts). But I know I would never have made it. Like you, I was always strong and could hold my own before. The worst part besides being sick was always that "chemo haze". Do you know what I mean? I had a recurrence though and have just gone through two rounds of ESHAP (96 hours every 3 weeks). I do not feel as sick, but have symptoms of losing controls of limbs, vision problems, hearing loss (and some of this may be permanent). I do feel my limb sensation returning, thankfully. But, yes, there are those of us that do get sick through all of this. I am going to get a bone marrow transplant and am looking forward to more chemo and radiation.

    I just want my life back, or a life (period).

    I hope things work out for you. Hang in there. You WILL feel bettr.
  • chemo warrior
    chemo warrior Member Posts: 17
    didi1031 said:

    I went through CHOP and got sick. I never worked while on chemo. I work in a hospital, so it was not allowed (too many sick contacts). But I know I would never have made it. Like you, I was always strong and could hold my own before. The worst part besides being sick was always that "chemo haze". Do you know what I mean? I had a recurrence though and have just gone through two rounds of ESHAP (96 hours every 3 weeks). I do not feel as sick, but have symptoms of losing controls of limbs, vision problems, hearing loss (and some of this may be permanent). I do feel my limb sensation returning, thankfully. But, yes, there are those of us that do get sick through all of this. I am going to get a bone marrow transplant and am looking forward to more chemo and radiation.

    I just want my life back, or a life (period).

    I hope things work out for you. Hang in there. You WILL feel bettr.

    A little bit of hope for me from you
    I have just been diagnosed with recurring nh lymphoma. I underwent RCHOP 2yrs ago and tolerated it although it wore me out. Monday, June 7, 2010 they are going to be starting the ESHAP in hospital chemo for my recurrence and I pray I don't have the sickness that you explained you got from CHOP. Loss of control of limbs, vision, hearing is scary...prayers go out to you. I hope I don't experience this. When I underwent RCHOP I had vision problems and the haze. It did go away after chemo ended and my body had a chance to rebuild. Can you tell me anything more about the ESHAP? I pray your bone marrow transplant and further chemo and radiation are painless and work well. I feel just like you...I WANT MY LIFE BACK. I had it for a little while 1 1/2 yrs and then boom...that cancer snuck back in. We must continue to have hope and lift each other up! Blessings & Guidance. Look forward to hearing from you.
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member

    A little bit of hope for me from you
    I have just been diagnosed with recurring nh lymphoma. I underwent RCHOP 2yrs ago and tolerated it although it wore me out. Monday, June 7, 2010 they are going to be starting the ESHAP in hospital chemo for my recurrence and I pray I don't have the sickness that you explained you got from CHOP. Loss of control of limbs, vision, hearing is scary...prayers go out to you. I hope I don't experience this. When I underwent RCHOP I had vision problems and the haze. It did go away after chemo ended and my body had a chance to rebuild. Can you tell me anything more about the ESHAP? I pray your bone marrow transplant and further chemo and radiation are painless and work well. I feel just like you...I WANT MY LIFE BACK. I had it for a little while 1 1/2 yrs and then boom...that cancer snuck back in. We must continue to have hope and lift each other up! Blessings & Guidance. Look forward to hearing from you.

    WHAT TYPE OF NHL DID YOU
    WHAT TYPE OF NHL DID YOU HAVE> WAS IT FOLLICULAR OR WHAT? WAS IT AGGRESSIVE OR SLOW GROWING? HANG IN THERE
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    didi1031 said:

    I went through CHOP and got sick. I never worked while on chemo. I work in a hospital, so it was not allowed (too many sick contacts). But I know I would never have made it. Like you, I was always strong and could hold my own before. The worst part besides being sick was always that "chemo haze". Do you know what I mean? I had a recurrence though and have just gone through two rounds of ESHAP (96 hours every 3 weeks). I do not feel as sick, but have symptoms of losing controls of limbs, vision problems, hearing loss (and some of this may be permanent). I do feel my limb sensation returning, thankfully. But, yes, there are those of us that do get sick through all of this. I am going to get a bone marrow transplant and am looking forward to more chemo and radiation.

    I just want my life back, or a life (period).

    I hope things work out for you. Hang in there. You WILL feel bettr.

    DID YOU HAVE CHOP OR R-CHOP?
    DID YOU HAVE CHOP OR R-CHOP? WHAT TYPE OF NHL DID YOU HAVE? WAS IT FOLLICULAR OR WHAT?
  • paulaandersen
    paulaandersen Member Posts: 6

    A little bit of hope for me from you
    I have just been diagnosed with recurring nh lymphoma. I underwent RCHOP 2yrs ago and tolerated it although it wore me out. Monday, June 7, 2010 they are going to be starting the ESHAP in hospital chemo for my recurrence and I pray I don't have the sickness that you explained you got from CHOP. Loss of control of limbs, vision, hearing is scary...prayers go out to you. I hope I don't experience this. When I underwent RCHOP I had vision problems and the haze. It did go away after chemo ended and my body had a chance to rebuild. Can you tell me anything more about the ESHAP? I pray your bone marrow transplant and further chemo and radiation are painless and work well. I feel just like you...I WANT MY LIFE BACK. I had it for a little while 1 1/2 yrs and then boom...that cancer snuck back in. We must continue to have hope and lift each other up! Blessings & Guidance. Look forward to hearing from you.

    HIP PAIN
    I too, am a survivor of NHL. I received RCHOP also. It has been 5 years now that I have been cancer-free. I have been experiencing hip pain since January of this year. The doctors told me first that I had torn cartilage in my right hip. Another said it was nothing but arhritis. Another disagreed with that and said I had bursitis. I am worried it is something else. Any advice?
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member

    HIP PAIN
    I too, am a survivor of NHL. I received RCHOP also. It has been 5 years now that I have been cancer-free. I have been experiencing hip pain since January of this year. The doctors told me first that I had torn cartilage in my right hip. Another said it was nothing but arhritis. Another disagreed with that and said I had bursitis. I am worried it is something else. Any advice?

    HIP PAIN
    The only time I had hip pain was after the neulastrsa shot to build up the blood cells. What type of nhl did you have and what stage was it in? I would keep pressing the dr. to check out the hip pain and what is causing it.
  • paulaandersen
    paulaandersen Member Posts: 6
    COBRA666 said:

    HIP PAIN
    The only time I had hip pain was after the neulastrsa shot to build up the blood cells. What type of nhl did you have and what stage was it in? I would keep pressing the dr. to check out the hip pain and what is causing it.

    HIP PAIN
    My cancer was Stage II Diffuse Large B Cell, but I also had 6 chemo treatments in my spine called Methotrechate Intrathecal. Sorry, not sure about the spelling.
  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member

    HIP PAIN
    I too, am a survivor of NHL. I received RCHOP also. It has been 5 years now that I have been cancer-free. I have been experiencing hip pain since January of this year. The doctors told me first that I had torn cartilage in my right hip. Another said it was nothing but arhritis. Another disagreed with that and said I had bursitis. I am worried it is something else. Any advice?

    Did you have
    Did you by any chance do radiation to the hip area? I am only asking because I too was having a lot of pain and getting around was very hard. He sent me for an MRI on my lower back because my pain was in my butt. What he found out was that where I had the radiation it weakened the bone and I had an insufficiency fracture. It took a good 3-4 months but I am feeling much better.

    Also chemo put me in menopause and that also weakens bone. I now do Reclast once a year and that is helping.

    Good luck to you!
    Beth
  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member

    HIP PAIN
    I too, am a survivor of NHL. I received RCHOP also. It has been 5 years now that I have been cancer-free. I have been experiencing hip pain since January of this year. The doctors told me first that I had torn cartilage in my right hip. Another said it was nothing but arhritis. Another disagreed with that and said I had bursitis. I am worried it is something else. Any advice?

    Did you have
    Did you by any chance do radiation to the hip area? I am only asking because I too was having a lot of pain and getting around was very hard. He sent me for an MRI on my lower back because my pain was in my butt. What he found out was that where I had the radiation it weakened the bone and I had an insufficiency fracture. It took a good 3-4 months but I am feeling much better.

    Also chemo put me in menopause and that also weakens bone. I now do Reclast once a year and that is helping.

    Good luck to you!
    Beth
  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member

    HIP PAIN
    I too, am a survivor of NHL. I received RCHOP also. It has been 5 years now that I have been cancer-free. I have been experiencing hip pain since January of this year. The doctors told me first that I had torn cartilage in my right hip. Another said it was nothing but arhritis. Another disagreed with that and said I had bursitis. I am worried it is something else. Any advice?

    Did you have
    Did you by any chance do radiation to the hip area? I am only asking because I too was having a lot of pain and getting around was very hard. He sent me for an MRI on my lower back because my pain was in my butt. What he found out was that where I had the radiation it weakened the bone and I had an insufficiency fracture. It took a good 3-4 months but I am feeling much better.

    Also chemo put me in menopause and that also weakens bone. I now do Reclast once a year and that is helping.

    Good luck to you!
    Beth
  • paulaandersen
    paulaandersen Member Posts: 6
    dixiegirl said:

    Did you have
    Did you by any chance do radiation to the hip area? I am only asking because I too was having a lot of pain and getting around was very hard. He sent me for an MRI on my lower back because my pain was in my butt. What he found out was that where I had the radiation it weakened the bone and I had an insufficiency fracture. It took a good 3-4 months but I am feeling much better.

    Also chemo put me in menopause and that also weakens bone. I now do Reclast once a year and that is helping.

    Good luck to you!
    Beth

    HIP PAIN
    No, the cancer was in my nose and in my neck. I too was put into early menopause. I have been going through hot flashes now for 5 years and finally started taking effecor for that. I did some research on intrathecal injections, and it said a possible side affect is osteonecrosis, which has something to do with the hip and can be serious if not treated. I mentioned this to my primary doctor and he kind of got mad and did an x-ray and said nothing was wrong. Then I was sent for an MRI and they found I had torn cartilage and was sent to an orthopedic and fracture doctor who disagreed and said it was only bursitis, so I am very confused on what to do next.