R-CHOP

Yesterday was my first visit with my new lymphoma specialist. He told me that the standard of care treatment is wildly successful for people with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. About 85% of patients go into full remission. This treatment is called R-CHOP. After your first infusion you wait 21 days for the next infusion, for a total of six cycles, which means roughly 4 months. The doc told me that severe side effects are rare, the more common side effects being fatigue and maybe loss of appetite. Most patients do not even vomit. A port is not required, the infusions will be given intravenously. The treatment is personalized for the patient, taking into account age, weight, health, other illnesses, etc. This is a glitch for me due to other competing cancers. This new doc will confer with my prostate cancer oncologist and the surgeon who handled my mesothelioma. He wants to make sure that there are no conflicts that would put me in danger. That great thing is that all of these doctors know each other.

Years ago I asked another surgeon if I could move away from Boston and still get healthcare from another prestigious hospital. He said I could move, of course, but the network of doctors I have here would be difficult to duplicate. I believe this is true.

I anticipate that the chemo will start in early or mid-June. Three things have to happen before it starts. First is the conference of doctors. Second is a virtual meeting between me and the lymphoma team pharmacist. Third is an echocardiogram. The earliest date for the echo is May 27^th, but that may be moved up if there are any cancellations.  

I think I can power my way through this treatment. As I’ve said elsewhere, you should never tell yourself a bad story. Always tell yourself a good story. I feel better with a good story. No need to worry about things that you can’t control and may not happen anyway.