Newbie with very little support
Hi, my name is Lori. Soon to be 55 years old. I have never posted on any kind of discussions board.
I was diagnosed mid Jan. with Non Hodgkins lymphoma Type B intermediate. Everything went so fast after my biopsy and my neck swelled to suffocating dimensions. I was sipping broth for food. I slept wedged between pillows and a towel rolled under the back of my neck to breathe. I had to start chemo 10 days ago before a port was installed to reduce the swelling. My neck is now down to normal size and I can actually eat.
I hadn't been to a Dr in over 20 years and quit drinking over 25 years ago and quit smoking 7 years ago. I have an unreasonable phobia of needles so this has been a difficult start to say the least. I've found out a have really "bad" veins also. My port is scheduled for next week.
My husband and I moved from our hometown a few years ago and we don't have any friends or family in this area. The town we live in has no cancer support system. Nearest one is over an hour away. Fortunately, many of the Drs from an hour away come here a few days a week to take care of people like me.
Information online is not very consistant or nonspecific so I decided to come here for possibly some friendly support, information and experiences.
Thank you.
Comments
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Sorry to hear of this
In your case, your husband is your support. Now, he cannot know what you are going through, but he has an idea. However, hubbys sometimes have the "stiff upper lip" or John Wayne attitude and while that might work with his friends, and maybe even most guys, women are not wired like that (a good thing!). Your case points out something important when diagnosed with cancer: the first thing we want to know is if someone else is undergoing the same thing.
Your case also points out how utterly individual our cases are. We all share something, but the specifics are going to be completely different. The sleeping with pillows I remember - but I used them for a different reason. As to contact with others, Skype can be huge. It is so comforting to interact face-to-face, even in cyberspace, with those whom we know and love.
Anonymous forums such as this one can also be a great help, and a new type of relationship is formed right here. A lot of advice and counsel is available and while not all of it will help, we accept it in the spirit in which it was offered.
As to needles, time to reverse your thinking and realize that life itself now comes through those needles. I do not necessarily like needles, but I have had hundreds of them in me over the past ten years, and now inject myself due to type II diabetes.
Always remember that you must be alive to have complaints.
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Just trying to wrap my head around it allpo18guy said:Sorry to hear of this
In your case, your husband is your support. Now, he cannot know what you are going through, but he has an idea. However, hubbys sometimes have the "stiff upper lip" or John Wayne attitude and while that might work with his friends, and maybe even most guys, women are not wired like that (a good thing!). Your case points out something important when diagnosed with cancer: the first thing we want to know is if someone else is undergoing the same thing.
Your case also points out how utterly individual our cases are. We all share something, but the specifics are going to be completely different. The sleeping with pillows I remember - but I used them for a different reason. As to contact with others, Skype can be huge. It is so comforting to interact face-to-face, even in cyberspace, with those whom we know and love.
Anonymous forums such as this one can also be a great help, and a new type of relationship is formed right here. A lot of advice and counsel is available and while not all of it will help, we accept it in the spirit in which it was offered.
As to needles, time to reverse your thinking and realize that life itself now comes through those needles. I do not necessarily like needles, but I have had hundreds of them in me over the past ten years, and now inject myself due to type II diabetes.
Always remember that you must be alive to have complaints.
Thanks for reply.
Skype is good if you actually have people you know to talk to. Hubby and I are both only children and my parents are gone. Don't think I could be that personal with a stranger. I guess that is why I went this route after I didn't know what else to do. I think just having somebody...anybody...to talk to would be a great asset. My hubby is gone at work for long hours. He works near home so he's just a call away and can be here in minutes but not physically here much of the time.
Do I sound pathetic? Not trying to but it's lonely out here with the unknown.
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There is a saying...
"I went looking for a friend and found none. I became a friend and found many."
It might help to think of others who are far worse off than you are. You can be their lifeline. In helping them, you will also be helped. That's just the way life works. Your treatment center, or various lymphoma foundations have systems in place to connect you with other patients for mutual support. Check the Lymphoma Research Foundation, for but one example.
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I'm sorrypo18guy said:There is a saying...
"I went looking for a friend and found none. I became a friend and found many."
It might help to think of others who are far worse off than you are. You can be their lifeline. In helping them, you will also be helped. That's just the way life works. Your treatment center, or various lymphoma foundations have systems in place to connect you with other patients for mutual support. Check the Lymphoma Research Foundation, for but one example.
I must be in the wrong place. Just looking for common support and maybe a friendly connection. I kinda feel lectured...
Maybe a discussion board is not my forte.
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We are here
Hey Lori, this forum is here to offer support when you need it. So sorry about your diagnosis, but congratulations for acknowledging that you need some support and for reaching out. You'll find that folks here will offer what comfort they can, but you'll also find that you won't always agree with what someone has to say. That's OK. You'll also find that some days you'll get a lot of feedback and other days you just won't. That's because we are all sick to some degree and not always able to be "there" for others.
Your journey is just starting, but it sounds as though you've found a medical team that knows how to treat you. If you have questions about your treatment or handling side effects, of course ask your medical team, but it's OK to get input here too. One suggest I would make to you straight away is to find out from your doctors what services you might take advantage of locally, so that you are not exhausting yourself and your husband driving hours to the clinic. By services I mean specifically: blood work (possibly 2X per week), post-chemo Neulasta/Neupagen shot (if you cannot get this locally, ask your doctor about "on-board" Neulasta...It's a new thing). Also, where can you go locally if you spike a fever. While it's great that they come to you regularly, there may be times in-between when you need something.
It would be helpful if you shared the chemo regimen that you are looking at...R-EPOCH? R-CHOP? Or?
You may also want to take advantage of the "Chat" feature on this site. You can find the CSN Chatroom in the upper left hand corner of this page (you must be logged in). There is almost always someone logged in looking to connect. I am not a "chatter", but I look in there occasionally and see that many folks are that friendships have formed. The Chatroom is not organized by cancer type the way the forum is, but I expect that you will find people who share your concerns and be happy to talk in real-time. Right now, that may be exactly what you need. (As always with a chatroom, be cautious with your personal information.)
Be well and let us know how you are doing.
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NOT NOT NOT trying to lecture!CritterMamaLori said:I'm sorry
I must be in the wrong place. Just looking for common support and maybe a friendly connection. I kinda feel lectured...
Maybe a discussion board is not my forte.
Sorry if I came across wrong! And this points out the problems with internet conversations. Typed characters on a page do not have the eye-contact, the one-on-one quality that in-person conversations do.
I will bow out and allow you to interact with others.
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Thanks so much!Evarista said:We are here
Hey Lori, this forum is here to offer support when you need it. So sorry about your diagnosis, but congratulations for acknowledging that you need some support and for reaching out. You'll find that folks here will offer what comfort they can, but you'll also find that you won't always agree with what someone has to say. That's OK. You'll also find that some days you'll get a lot of feedback and other days you just won't. That's because we are all sick to some degree and not always able to be "there" for others.
Your journey is just starting, but it sounds as though you've found a medical team that knows how to treat you. If you have questions about your treatment or handling side effects, of course ask your medical team, but it's OK to get input here too. One suggest I would make to you straight away is to find out from your doctors what services you might take advantage of locally, so that you are not exhausting yourself and your husband driving hours to the clinic. By services I mean specifically: blood work (possibly 2X per week), post-chemo Neulasta/Neupagen shot (if you cannot get this locally, ask your doctor about "on-board" Neulasta...It's a new thing). Also, where can you go locally if you spike a fever. While it's great that they come to you regularly, there may be times in-between when you need something.
It would be helpful if you shared the chemo regimen that you are looking at...R-EPOCH? R-CHOP? Or?
You may also want to take advantage of the "Chat" feature on this site. You can find the CSN Chatroom in the upper left hand corner of this page (you must be logged in). There is almost always someone logged in looking to connect. I am not a "chatter", but I look in there occasionally and see that many folks are that friendships have formed. The Chatroom is not organized by cancer type the way the forum is, but I expect that you will find people who share your concerns and be happy to talk in real-time. Right now, that may be exactly what you need. (As always with a chatroom, be cautious with your personal information.)
Be well and let us know how you are doing.
Evarista, thanks.
As I stated I'm new to this and the cancer diagnosis. I don't know a lot of the technical jargon and learning as I go. I will try to find out what the chemo regimen I am on. My first treatment was divided into 2 consecutive days and ended with that Neulasta. I have a folder with all the drugs but no name for the regimen.
It all happened so fast and was/is so confusing to me. I kind of got shoved in each direction without really knowing what was going on. I have anxiety and depression issues anyway and kind of shut down when it all started. My husband just kept everything together and gets me to where I need to be. There are several offices and a couple hospitals in our town that deal with cancer but the primary oncologists travel from an hour away for treatments and appointments. There are absolutely no support groups in town. Even talking personally with survivors they tell me there is no support near by.
I will definitely check out the chat feature and I am more experienced in that than a discussion board.
Again, thank you and good luck to all!
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Welcome
Hello Lori and welcome to the group. We are a diverse group of people with one thing in common--lymphoma. I have been hanging around here for 5 years and feel like I have made a lot of friends. Like you, I had no support other than my husband, and thank God for him. I read about people cooking meals, running errands, cleaning, laundry, and more to support those with cancer. All my friends disappeared. I could see someone I knew in a store, they would pretend they didn't see me and scoot to another aisle.
My friends, here at this site, supported me while I was still in treatment and experiencing side effects. In turn, I try to support others. Sometimes the lines blur and you aren't sure who is helping who.
If you click on my picture (or anyone's) it will take you to my "about me" page. The page helps us know one another better and I encourage you to fill yours in too. It can be modified at any time as you learn and experience more.
Again, welcome! I hope you find what you are looking for here with us.
Hugs,
Rocquie
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Tricky times and blurred lines
Welcome and rest assure you are in a good place here. Many of us have a thicker skin now. As survivors we have gone through the chaos, pain, fear of our own personal journey. Sometimes it may come off as insensitive yet was meant to be the polar opposite. Some have endured much and overcame unimaginable odds.
Like you and Rocquie I had little to no support not even from my husband. He was a mess in the beginning, when he tried to help it was all wrong. He can't cope, plain and simple.
You see I was protecting my young children and my parents for very difficult reasons which made me hide my cancer from almost everyone.
I recall getting out of my treatment on December 15th, in the height of the Holiday season cooking, decorating, shopping, wrapping, hiding the gifts from little eyes, spending time with my sick father and being the master of ceremonies on Christmas Day. I didn't feel well, tired beyond anything I have ever known before; I just sat down when a family member was making digs at me because I dont do enough.
For a moment I wanted to cry. Where was the out pouring of love, care and concern I witnessed from everyone giving my father? I too read the stories where people bring food etc..... I remember another family member with an elevated voice tell me, I knew nothing of lymphoma. He did because his mother in law had it. Little did he know his sister was battling the same thing.
My point in telling you this is, it was hard and still is. I didn't even find this safe haven until a year after I learned I had stage IV incurable cancer. I had to be better than I was, somehow. I learned to dig deeper then deeper yet. Cancer is hard and terrifying but it also made me a warrior and a woman of more meaning and substance. My appreciation for life, my family, my sassy strength are priceless.
I always try to look at the positive. You're ahead of me, I found this place one year after diagnosis. How I wish I had this. There is something quite comforting about this group. We have all been there. Different yet similar paths. We know your fears and concerns and when some else has been there it takes on a whole new meaning.
Dont be discouraged but empowered because you have this group. May you seek and find more.
All my best
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I get itpo18guy said:NOT NOT NOT trying to lecture!
Sorry if I came across wrong! And this points out the problems with internet conversations. Typed characters on a page do not have the eye-contact, the one-on-one quality that in-person conversations do.
I will bow out and allow you to interact with others.
And apologize for taking you the wrong way. Like I said, I'm just kind of lost in all this. I do agree that typed words sometimes don't get read as intended. I'm no professional writer and get misunderstood often.
Peace to you. Let's not be strangers because of a misunderstanding.
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Wow... just wow :-)
I feel so weak. Not just physically but mentally. I hope that I can be as strong as you all sound here. I cry daily and pull one way to fight and then the other way as feeling no one cares so why fight. I know that there are so many more worse off than I and don't have the opportunity or odds to beat it and win. I feel selfish. I'm at the bottom now but want to be able to be the encouragement that I desperately need myself. I'm rambling...feeling sorry for myself...
Dr appointment today. ...gonna get poked again. THAT is an emotional event for me in itself. I was terrorized as a child. Threatened with shots for punishment.....
I will read this thread over and over and try to absorb every positive word.
I will work on my profile when I get home today.
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Hang in there
You’re not weak, I too was at rock bottom. I cried too and had pathetic pitty parties for myself saying Rituxin was waisted on me. Then I quickly dried my eyes and said the heck it was! My misery didn’t get the best of me and your needle wont get the best of you Today. This is not punishment. This is just a tool to help better aid the doctors with information to better treat you. The threat of yesterday needs to be buried. Easier said I know but hang in there. I also hate needles. I give you full permission to tell the needle to go to H.E. double hockey sticks to if you want to :-)
Today I don’t even blink.
Good Luck!
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I made it
Another appointment down. I did find out my regimen is R-CHOP.
All at the office were amazed at the difference in the size of my neck and asked if I was eating well... as in actually chewing and swallowing as opposed to drinking my meals.
Hubby commented I am doing a little better with my needle issue. I have to give some credit to po18guy to help think of it as a life line instead if a threat. Still can't get past the panic attack but maybe in time I won't tear up everytime I talk about it. I would be happy if the nightmares would stop.
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Good for you!
So, as you are learning, one day and one step at a time. Ups and downs are going to be your norm for a while, so, as everyone here will tell you: do not beat yourself up about it and do not feel guilty or whatever for the bad feelings that may come over you. There are likely to be more to come, but being ready for them (like with the needle) will help.
So, R-CHOP. Nobody is going to tell you that this will be fun, but it is doable. There a some things that you can do now to help yourself with it. First, get your house cleaned. Hire a company if you need to. Set up "hygeine stations": bacterial hand-cleaner & masks at your entrances, wet-wipes & face masks in your handbag and the cars. Your immune system is going to be suppressed and you need to protect yourself. Use the "elbow bump" greeting instead of the handshake.
Second, keep yourself as physically active as you can. The more fit you can stay, the more quickly you can get back to business once your chemo is done. Even if it's just walking around the block, do it! When you are in-patient (if you are in-patient), walk the halls. Be sure to keep yourself safe, though. Use a walker if you need it, stay off slippery surfaces, etc.
Third: groceries. Your appetite may tank, so be prepared for that. Tell your husband what you love-love-love and make sure that he has it in the house for you. Try to eat healthy, keeping your protein up. Bring in at least a few protein drinks (Ensure, Boost, etc).
Fourth: constipation. Do not underestimate the degree to which your chemo can bring everything to a grinding halt. Better to stay ahead of it than to suffer with a severe situation. High fiber foods if you can, drink water, take Colace or similar if you need it. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure here, as many of us can
attest to!Fifth: Neulasta-associated bone pain. Sounds like you didn't have it with your first dose and hopefully you won't ever. But if you do, many of us have had success with Claritin (this is anecdotal, so be sure to check with your doctor).
Last: do something nice for yourself. If you can, go shopping for something lovely, a good book (audiobooks are great to have during chemo), a video you've always wanted to see, whatever.
Wishing you an easy time of it.
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WelcomeCritterMamaLori said:I made it
Another appointment down. I did find out my regimen is R-CHOP.
All at the office were amazed at the difference in the size of my neck and asked if I was eating well... as in actually chewing and swallowing as opposed to drinking my meals.
Hubby commented I am doing a little better with my needle issue. I have to give some credit to po18guy to help think of it as a life line instead if a threat. Still can't get past the panic attack but maybe in time I won't tear up everytime I talk about it. I would be happy if the nightmares would stop.
I welcome you also, Critter Mama. I am wondering if your screen name suggests pets ? They are often very supportive emotionally.
You will make many friends here. I did not start on this Board until a few years after chemo ended for me, and I can't even remember why. The responders will all be different: Some "clinical," writing only about "factual" issues. Others are mostly emotional, but most are somewhere in-between. You will have a selection to choose between.
R-CHOP is the most common first-line (initial) treatment for most Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL). Virtually all of the ommon side-effects are common with it, but most people only have a few, and there is no way to predict which a given patient will or will not get. And side-effects ordinarily increase over time, with more infusions completed.
I have always been squeemish and could not tolerate needles, so a port was absolutely vital in my case. I was run over by a car 30 years ago, and spent about a month in ICU. Constant needles, proceedures. But the worst was arterial blood gases, in which blood is drawn from both arms at once from arteries (not veins), to measure blood gases on each side of the lungs and heart. Probably the worst pain I've endured, although I was awake when a surgeon thrust a chest tube into me to reinflate my lung; this was through 13 rib fractures. And my knee cap was hanging loose inside me pant's leg, when my clothes were cut off. I also had "shunts" in both arms, and more drain tubes than I can recall. Saline flushes every few hours to remove clots in the lines, which burned badly.
After lymphoma, I later got prostate cancer, and had that cut out -- horrible. I count about 23 surgical incisions today. My point is that we all get through all of these things. My listr of medical conditions is two pages long, single-spaced. And all are significant issues: stuff like lung fibrosis, neurological disorders, and many more. We survive NOT by being heros, but because we essentially have no choice.
I was bedridden almost my whole 6 months on chemo, and had almost no visitors the whole time. Slept about 15 to 17 hours per day. Most days I could only get to the bathroom. My wife had to pre-heat the car and help me walk out to it when necessary. Ergo, "visitors" were an impossibility for me. My lungs were too weak most of the time for me to even speak on the telephone.
I did make numerous friends at infusion, however, and among the oncology staff, people I still know and cherish today. A neighbor got NHL about a year before I did a very aggressive strain. He was a big guy, about 6'4', maybe 300. Before he was finished with his R-EPOCH therapy, he was skeletal, mayber 130 pounds. His roommate was a body builder, and had towrap him in blankets and carry him to the car to go for infusions, which for him (and most people on r-epoch) was as an inpatient. On days when he did not have treatment, his roommate had a bed set up in their living room, but he was unable to get up by himself. He is totally well today.
My wife did everything for me; without her I do suspect that I would have in fact died. Recalling later, I do remember waking up alone at home a few times, unable to breath. I had to pant like a dog to survive, probably due to the fibrosis...my oxygenation was probably close to death.
I hope you find support here. But you will get through this and get well, absolutely,
max
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Tips duly noted!Evarista said:Good for you!
So, as you are learning, one day and one step at a time. Ups and downs are going to be your norm for a while, so, as everyone here will tell you: do not beat yourself up about it and do not feel guilty or whatever for the bad feelings that may come over you. There are likely to be more to come, but being ready for them (like with the needle) will help.
So, R-CHOP. Nobody is going to tell you that this will be fun, but it is doable. There a some things that you can do now to help yourself with it. First, get your house cleaned. Hire a company if you need to. Set up "hygeine stations": bacterial hand-cleaner & masks at your entrances, wet-wipes & face masks in your handbag and the cars. Your immune system is going to be suppressed and you need to protect yourself. Use the "elbow bump" greeting instead of the handshake.
Second, keep yourself as physically active as you can. The more fit you can stay, the more quickly you can get back to business once your chemo is done. Even if it's just walking around the block, do it! When you are in-patient (if you are in-patient), walk the halls. Be sure to keep yourself safe, though. Use a walker if you need it, stay off slippery surfaces, etc.
Third: groceries. Your appetite may tank, so be prepared for that. Tell your husband what you love-love-love and make sure that he has it in the house for you. Try to eat healthy, keeping your protein up. Bring in at least a few protein drinks (Ensure, Boost, etc).
Fourth: constipation. Do not underestimate the degree to which your chemo can bring everything to a grinding halt. Better to stay ahead of it than to suffer with a severe situation. High fiber foods if you can, drink water, take Colace or similar if you need it. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure here, as many of us can
attest to!Fifth: Neulasta-associated bone pain. Sounds like you didn't have it with your first dose and hopefully you won't ever. But if you do, many of us have had success with Claritin (this is anecdotal, so be sure to check with your doctor).
Last: do something nice for yourself. If you can, go shopping for something lovely, a good book (audiobooks are great to have during chemo), a video you've always wanted to see, whatever.
Wishing you an easy time of it.
Thanks for all these great tips.
I will be working on those stations. With this flu going around I'm already a germaphobe in public.
If weather cooperates, walking my 3/4 acre lot should be feasible.
I love salad but have been warned to stay away from my fav made to eats. Fortunately the store is on hubby's way home on the corner for spur of the moment cravings.
I did have a small issue with the bone pain but my chemo girls set me straight with the Claritin. I've tried to keep a journal of how to take my meds for the next go-round. I've never been a big med taker so I have been told to take the preventative measures seriously and make sure to do them to avoid problems.
I surely wish we could afford a cleaning service but that is not doable. I've even tried to recruit but it looks like it's just me. I can only do what I can. Only 2 of us and we aren't that messy but with 3 cats and a dog vacuuming and litter are the worst part. Hubby can do some but he works 50 hours a week just so we can keep the household bills paid.
I will definitely work on theses and any tips and advice is greatly appreciated.
I'm glad I posted here! I'll be in chat off and on as I like that format also.
:-)
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My fur kids are my biggest comfortsWelcome
I welcome you also, Critter Mama. I am wondering if your screen name suggests pets ? They are often very supportive emotionally.
You will make many friends here. I did not start on this Board until a few years after chemo ended for me, and I can't even remember why. The responders will all be different: Some "clinical," writing only about "factual" issues. Others are mostly emotional, but most are somewhere in-between. You will have a selection to choose between.
R-CHOP is the most common first-line (initial) treatment for most Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL). Virtually all of the ommon side-effects are common with it, but most people only have a few, and there is no way to predict which a given patient will or will not get. And side-effects ordinarily increase over time, with more infusions completed.
I have always been squeemish and could not tolerate needles, so a port was absolutely vital in my case. I was run over by a car 30 years ago, and spent about a month in ICU. Constant needles, proceedures. But the worst was arterial blood gases, in which blood is drawn from both arms at once from arteries (not veins), to measure blood gases on each side of the lungs and heart. Probably the worst pain I've endured, although I was awake when a surgeon thrust a chest tube into me to reinflate my lung; this was through 13 rib fractures. And my knee cap was hanging loose inside me pant's leg, when my clothes were cut off. I also had "shunts" in both arms, and more drain tubes than I can recall. Saline flushes every few hours to remove clots in the lines, which burned badly.
After lymphoma, I later got prostate cancer, and had that cut out -- horrible. I count about 23 surgical incisions today. My point is that we all get through all of these things. My listr of medical conditions is two pages long, single-spaced. And all are significant issues: stuff like lung fibrosis, neurological disorders, and many more. We survive NOT by being heros, but because we essentially have no choice.
I was bedridden almost my whole 6 months on chemo, and had almost no visitors the whole time. Slept about 15 to 17 hours per day. Most days I could only get to the bathroom. My wife had to pre-heat the car and help me walk out to it when necessary. Ergo, "visitors" were an impossibility for me. My lungs were too weak most of the time for me to even speak on the telephone.
I did make numerous friends at infusion, however, and among the oncology staff, people I still know and cherish today. A neighbor got NHL about a year before I did a very aggressive strain. He was a big guy, about 6'4', maybe 300. Before he was finished with his R-EPOCH therapy, he was skeletal, mayber 130 pounds. His roommate was a body builder, and had towrap him in blankets and carry him to the car to go for infusions, which for him (and most people on r-epoch) was as an inpatient. On days when he did not have treatment, his roommate had a bed set up in their living room, but he was unable to get up by himself. He is totally well today.
My wife did everything for me; without her I do suspect that I would have in fact died. Recalling later, I do remember waking up alone at home a few times, unable to breath. I had to pant like a dog to survive, probably due to the fibrosis...my oxygenation was probably close to death.
I hope you find support here. But you will get through this and get well, absolutely,
max
Hi Max, thank you for the warm welcome and your story. You are definitely here for a reason. Much continuing strength to you.
My hubby and I have no human children. We have all rescues. 3 cats and a dog. One of my kitties I believe is a compassion animal. He knows when I'm having a "bad" day and will not leave my lap or my side. As soon as I can figure out the other aspects of this site I will post photos.
I have to say everyone here has already helped me in one way or another. I hope I can do the same soon.
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Fear of needles
Hi Critter Mama, i understand your fear of needles, i have been terrified of them my whole life! 3 years go i had to have monthly blood draws for managing Rheumatoid Arthritis, I had to lay down the first time, they took 6 tubes! Little did i know it would help me adjust to what i am dealing with now. I have my last RCHOP treatment next tuesday. Yes i still get a little nervous when it is time to get poked but nothing like before.
I slipped on a patch of ice last Friday and broke my wrist, i may have to have it set on Wedensday now that terrifies me!! It looks like you are getting a lot of good advice, just remember the next time you get blood drawn at least you're not getting a bone set
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Walking
Hi Lori,
Keep walking, whether it’s a mile or a block! When I went through R-Chop I continued to walk outside as much as possible. just getting outside was helpful. You can eat salad and veggies! However, wash, wash, wash them! OR steam and sauté them.
I putzed around the house, ie: cleaned. Consider it exercise and the chair is there if you need it! As the treatment goes on, you will feel more tired. however enough energy to feed the cats, dog, dust and vacuum. (leave the litter box for your husband).
I worked at the same time, however my employer allowed me to work from home. It kept my brain working.
I love my port. It saved my small veins. i think you will like it a lot especially if you are afraid of needles.
Sharon
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We are here
We are here for you whenever you need a friend to just chat or vent. I found this site when first diagnosed last April and it has been a godsend for me. Like you I had R-Chop and live in very small town with no Drs or hospital within about an hour. I had so many questions I thought everyone here must think I was a real nut case, however that was not the case, everyone was genuinely friendly and more than happy to listen and offer any suggestions or help they could which I so greatly appreciated. No one is the same so not all suggestions worked but most did. This site got me thru all my chemo and I'm now on 2 years of Rituxan maintenance every 8 weeks. 3 down and 9 to go. I will get thru this and so will you! Evarista GREAT TIPS!!!
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- 28.5K Breast Cancer
- 398 Childhood Cancers
- 27.9K Colorectal Cancer
- 4.6K Esophageal Cancer
- 1.2K Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine)
- 13K Head and Neck Cancer
- 6.4K Kidney Cancer
- 671 Leukemia
- 794 Liver Cancer
- 4.1K Lung Cancer
- 5.1K Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
- 237 Multiple Myeloma
- 7.1K Ovarian Cancer
- 63 Pancreatic Cancer
- 487 Peritoneal Cancer
- 5.5K Prostate Cancer
- 1.2K Rare and Other Cancers
- 540 Sarcoma
- 733 Skin Cancer
- 653 Stomach Cancer
- 191 Testicular Cancer
- 1.5K Thyroid Cancer
- 5.8K Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
- 6.3K Lifestyle Discussion Boards