My 91 year old dad has NHL Stage 4 and is going thru RCHOP

jcl · New User Joined: 09 Feb 2009 Posts: 4 Location: chicago

Hi all- I am new to this as my 91 year old dad was just diagnosed mid-December. He and my 88 year old mom decided to go through chemo as his general demeanor is one of a fighter. I don't know if they had all the info as far as side effects of chemo etc, but so far, he's been through 2 chemo sessions. The first was CHOP without Rituxin and the nodes responded very well. The 2nd round was RCHOP and he did great for several days afterward, but now is extremely weak and has no appetite (he never really did but he at least would force himself). Myquestion is this: does it get any easier? He is supposed to have chemo every 3 weeks for 5-6 months. His doc said typically the first round is the worst (which I was very surprised at), so I'm just wondering if that has been anyone's experience. I volunteer with the ACS as a driver for patients going to chemo or radiation and I must say, it appears to me to get harder.

His internist prescribed a small dose of prednisone today to stimulate his appetite.... has anyone else had that? The prednisone is also part of his RCHOP chemo so he'll be getting it in a week anyway. Are there any dangers in taking it now, too?

Any info as far as your personal experience with chemo would be very helpful.

Also, all the posts that I've read have just been amazing with everyone's strength and fighting spirit. I love the support that this forum brings to everyone, too. You all are awesome! Thanks. ~jcl

ChemoMan

Hi Jcl

Sorry to hear of your Dad's diagnosis. You posted in the wrong area but don't sweat it I will ask one of the Admin's to move it.
In my experience from what I have seen in the wards and what the nurses have told me, people over the age of 75 have difficulties with the Rituxam. This is anecdotal only but from what you have described it seems to be the case with your Dad as well.
Your Dad will likely feel worse as the treatments go on and as he gets toward the end of his treatment he will be very fatigued. He needs to be careful to take the anti nausea medications regularly so that he does not start vomiting, because if it starts it is very hard to stop, he should take them religiously.
Your dad will eat what he can and you should not push anything on him. Your taste changes and things that you used to like can end up making you very sick, so let him be the judge of what he can eat.

Good luck and I hope things improve soon.
_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... Don't forget Rule number 1

jcl · New User Joined: 09 Feb 2009 Posts: 4 Location: chicago

Hi ChemoMan- thank you so much for your reply and the information. I have seen many of your postings and you are such a help to people.

Thank you for taking care of moving my post. I don't even know what area I posted it in.

Interesting that the doc told us that the first chemo treatment is the worst... I wonder where that came from? And yes, we've seen his taste buds change immensely. Thank goodness for Ensure!

And so far he hasn't been nauseated... just has no appetite. So the Ensure Plus (3-4 a day) which at least he can tolerate , provides quite a few calories.

His next chemo (3rd) is on Monday and it will, again, be the RCHOP. We are hoping that the worst was over, but I guess that's unrealistic.

Thank you for your help, and if I have any more questions, I'll post them to this message. And so happy for your recovery! You are doing good things-

joepet · Senior User Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 286 Location: Japan

Hi jcl,

If you're still around, how's your dad's chemo going? I think he should be just about done by now?
_________________
Age 37 (36 at diagnosis)
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 1AE (localized in colon)
Began six cycles of R chop 21 3rd Dec 2008
Finished R chop 21 Apr 2009
Complete remission as of May 2009

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