how to know if you've relapsed?

rocky5
rocky5 Member Posts: 16
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
Hi! My dad has NHL-large diffuse b-cell. He underwent 7 treatments of R-chOP, nad 17 radiation treatments. His cancer started in the abdomen and he was classed as stage 3e. He finished all treatment in Dec. 2004, and in early March all blood work was normal. but now suddenly he has been having massive watery diarrhea.

Can someone share their experience as far as how they came to know if their cancer was back out of remission.

Is this a side effect of all the treatmetn, but if so wouldn't it have shown up much earlier?

Also, has anyone had these treatments, and how did it fare for you...are you still in remission, and if not how long after did you relapse.

thanks for any help or advice.

Comments

  • ozzie2
    ozzie2 Member Posts: 17
    #2
    Hi rocky5,well I found out that I had relapsed both times via a CT scan and also Pet scan,did not have any signs etc,and felt really well,I have DLBC in the lower abdo, but no pain ,nothing am tired but that is to be expected,I doubt if your dad bowel prob's are related to the lymphoma, get him to see his dr.His next CT or Pet scan will tell if he has relapse and also it can show up in the blood tests,although mine hasn't , my blood is normal. Good luck and stay positive.
  • rocky5
    rocky5 Member Posts: 16
    #3
    ozzie2 said:

    Hi rocky5,well I found out that I had relapsed both times via a CT scan and also Pet scan,did not have any signs etc,and felt really well,I have DLBC in the lower abdo, but no pain ,nothing am tired but that is to be expected,I doubt if your dad bowel prob's are related to the lymphoma, get him to see his dr.His next CT or Pet scan will tell if he has relapse and also it can show up in the blood tests,although mine hasn't , my blood is normal. Good luck and stay positive.

    Hi Oz2! How are you doing now? If I may ask, how old are you, and how long before you relapsed. We just had a CT scan in dec2004 and are expected to undergo another one at the end of this year. what stage were you diagnosed at? My dad was 62 when he first discovered it, and for my dad too it doesn't bother him except for the extreme tiredness. His blood work seems to appear normal. What were the treatments you underwent the second time, and did you have Chop-R and radiation too? thanks for your reply, and good luck to you, you're in my prayers.
  • daftmf
    daftmf Member Posts: 4
    #4
    ozzie2 said:

    Hi rocky5,well I found out that I had relapsed both times via a CT scan and also Pet scan,did not have any signs etc,and felt really well,I have DLBC in the lower abdo, but no pain ,nothing am tired but that is to be expected,I doubt if your dad bowel prob's are related to the lymphoma, get him to see his dr.His next CT or Pet scan will tell if he has relapse and also it can show up in the blood tests,although mine hasn't , my blood is normal. Good luck and stay positive.

    I too have had nhl and have passed all ctt's until just last week. They found a mass attached to my Ovary (right) but a CA-125 blood test ruled out ovarian cancer. I just went for a PET SCAN last Saturday, anyone know how reliable they are for spotting Lymphoma? I am sitting on pins and needles. It does not help that I have gotten a cold in the meantime, so with that comes a cough. Reminds me to much of the first time around.
  • ozzie2
    ozzie2 Member Posts: 17
    #5
    daftmf said:

    I too have had nhl and have passed all ctt's until just last week. They found a mass attached to my Ovary (right) but a CA-125 blood test ruled out ovarian cancer. I just went for a PET SCAN last Saturday, anyone know how reliable they are for spotting Lymphoma? I am sitting on pins and needles. It does not help that I have gotten a cold in the meantime, so with that comes a cough. Reminds me to much of the first time around.

    Hi Rocky and daft..Daft pet scan very reliable for dx of lymphoma..But as far as I know can not give you the size?! need a CT scan for that.Hope this is of some help?.Rocky am female and 53 now,was DX nearly 5 yrs ago, had Chop, 2000,relapse Dec2002,Autolo Sct April 2003 with Dhac and BEAM..July 2003 nodes still there , Dec2003 Pet confirmed nodes positive.Jan 2004 nodes now 13mm (small) so w/w .Was dx with LDBcells stage 3.any help? Haven't have MabThera yet (rixtuan or rituximab your way)different countries different name same drug.Feeling fine and all blood is showing normal,do get very tired,but then think that is to be expected.Haven't have radiotherepy..so think positive for your dad.AM thinking of you and your dad ,take care ,Daft..please let us know how u get on! thinking and praying for you also,hugs to all .

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