Hi, My name is Jim, I'm 69 and I was diagnosed 8 months ago with Primary Central Nervous System Diffuse Large B-Cell N-H Lymphoma. It was only in my brain and I had 2 seizures that lead to the diagnosis. I had 6 in-patient cycles of Rituxan, Methotrexate, Vincristine and Procarbazine. After my second cycle, I started losing my voice and getting neuropathy in my hands and feet so the Dr discontinued the Vincristine. The Methotrexate is so toxic that as soon as they put it in, they start flushing it out and I couldn't go home until it got to a certain level. Sometimes it took a week, once 2 weeks. I finished my last treatment in mid-March. My last MRI in May came back showing all 3 lesions were resolved. I'm kind of depessed because I feel like I should be getting my strength and endurance back faster than I am. I'm better than I was 3 months ago but I'm still not very strong and i still get tired very easily. Has anyone else had a similar experience and how long did it take to get back to "normal"? Thanks.
I have not had a similar experience but I just wanted to be the first one to welcome you to our group.
You will find the support that you need here!
Pleased to meet you, Jim.
Congratulations on having a clean MRI...How nice. You have been thru a lot of toxic chemicals to kill off all those nasty cancer cells. I just finished my chemo and I am 57 I want to go back to work but my strength is not back yet either. I would just keep eating very healthy, drinking all the fluids you can, and daily walks as far as you can handle. Don't over do it just add alittle each day and guess what all of a sudden you will be out on the dance floor!! To not have strength yet is very normal and will take a while to regain...remember you didn't loose it over night ans it won't come back that quickly either...Now if I could heed my own advice!!
Come join us on the Lympho site, or smile a Day, or Tman site. We joke around support each other and have fun so you can dump the deoression and still feel supported. Give yourself a name or Geri will name you. Welcome!
Hey Jim-Of course you are depressed. My goodness what an ordeal you have had in only eight months. And that Vinny Cristan. He's a nasty one he is. I have given names to some of the lovely drugs that are given us.
Although I am not in remission, I had a 'good response' . It took probably six months before I started feeling better, and not fall asleep sitting in the chair. Everyone heals differently, so don't get down on yourself. Just continue to treat yourself very well, and writing here will help. A lot.
Thanks everyone for making feel welcome. I feel better already.
We are here for you, and won't let you get down. Look yourself in that mirrior each morning, smile, and say-.I'm HERE, and can do this.
I am new to this group and see how supportive and upbeat everyone is, I know that pain is horrible and getting strength back is difficult too, I hope and will pray for a speedy recovery, best part of recovering is the support you get from the people on here, haven't given me a name yet but I thought about it.. just let you Jim .. here for you
Hummmm...will have to find a name for you. Glad you are with us, I am STILL walking on my gazell waiting for my strength to get up to speed. It is a process, easier said than done. Keep on trucking!!
I see Tman is happy to have another male on board we tease him so, he catches the brunt of many of our jokes so I expect you will too. Hope you can help him survive our torment!
Just remember...This too shall pass!