It is a while since I posted on here so this is my current situation. Went through the R-CHOP chemo. Started off fine but by the end I was feeling it. Scans after the chemo showed it had worked well and I had a score of “Deauville 3”. I haven’t researched this but I am told it just gets me into the “remission” category. Then had RT to my shoulder to tackle remaining cancer. In all my prostate cancer treatments I never had external beam RT so this was new. No significant side effects and well tolerated. (Interestingly at reviews I said I was not suffering from RT induced fatigue until the treatment stopped! - when suddenly energy came back!) Now waiting for a PET/CT which will give me an indication of the road ahead. Overall pleased with the outcome so far but it has dominated my life for almost a year of treatments, appointments and (sometimes) feeling pretty rotten. I am 81 and the experience may well have been very different if I was 40 years younger. As always, advice, thoughts, comments etc very welcome from this forum.
Hi @Birder great to hear from you again, a lot has been going on for you since we heard from you last.
Please do keep updating us and look after and be kind to yourself, you and your body have been through a lot.
Thanks Erica. It is always useful to be reminded to look after oneself. Life seems full of looking after others.
Well, I am now through all treatment “and the results are in!” In medical speak I have a “sustained complete metabolic response”. In lay terms this translates as “YIPPEE”! Just as a reminder, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with several unfavourable features. I went through the cycles of R-CHOP and 15 sessions of radiotherapy to treat the bones affected by the lymphoma. I am an old man with a number of other health issues and the expectation at the outset was not high. Of course, the remission may not last very long but the reason why I want to post this is to encourage others that super results can come out of unpromising circumstances. Amazing things can happen with modern medicine and a positive patient attitude. Regrettably, the chemotherapy seems to have combined with my previous cancer treatment to attack my vertebrae and I have a spinal disability for the rest of my life.
Hello @Birder
Thank you so much for updating us - what wonderful news for you! And yes, YIPPEE indeed!
I have everything crossed that this remission will last a long time for you.
I hope you have a nice celebration planned (for me it would involve cake!)
Keep posting and adding your positivity to the Forum, it’s lovely to read.
Take care, Heidi.
That’s absolutely brilliant news—thank you so much for sharing it.
You’ve clearly been through a lot, and it’s really encouraging to hear such a positive outcome, especially given the challenges you faced. It’s also so generous of you to share your story to give hope to others—it really does make a difference.
Sorry to hear about the spinal issues, but I hope you’re able to find some comfort and support as you move forward. Please do keep us updated— wishing you the very best.