Judg3's Journal: Chemo - round 1 done

The therapy is called CHOP-R. CHOP-R stands for the drugs I take, which are C = Cyclophosphamide H = Doxorubicin O = Vincristine P = Prednisolone. The R stands for Rituximab, the newer designer drug that they start the cycle with.

The doctors are quite impressed with my strength, I have yet to exhibit typical signs of chemo, except for being tired. The worst of it for me was with Rituximab, where I experienced a mild allergic reaction of sorts - my skin itched and I felt a warmth in my chest. The rest of the drugs, well I never really felt them at all - it scared me to watch them pump it in, but I never really felt it - it was like a normal IV.
The only thing I like was the steroids - not anabolic mind you, they actually suppress my immune system, but the 'high' was there - the first night one them I was very very talkative, highly spirited, my gf said she hadn't seen me like that in some time (Then again, I may have had this the entire time we've beem together.)
I take the steroids until I tomorrow, then supposedly it'll suck as I'll come down some and be more moody and depressed.

Anyway, the treatment cycle is as follows:
Day 1: CHO & oral P
Day 2-5: Oral P
Day 6-21: Rest Days
Commence Next Cycle

So, by the second cycle, I should no more about what I can expect.
As it stands now, it's a lot of running to the doctor and doing tests to make sure things are working like they should - overall I'm in good spirits! I just need some more damn sleep! Argh!

Hang in there

[SolemnDragon]

Thank you for writing about it. We're pulling for ya.

How soon will they be looking for signs of effectiveness?

Re:Hang in there

[Judg3]

How soon will they be looking for signs of effectiveness?

Funny you mention it - as I feel better now, just a few days after the first round. In fact, I sleep better and have more energy this week, then I have the prior 3 months - my spirits are up too.

I know it'll suck in a month or so when my hair starts to fall out - you take the good with the bad, but I'm actually thinking I might not look so bad bald, and it might even make me look better what with my rockabilly-esque style I have *shrug*

The only th

Jesus...

[Saint Aardvark]

I've been following your journal, and I can't think of anything to say except "Good luck." I'm rooting for you.

here

[blinder]

hello... i was introduced to your journal by solemndragon. i just wanted to drop you a quick note to say i'll be thinking of you as you go through this.

i'm no stranger to this kind of stuff. my mother had CML (a rare form of leukemia) for 11 years and did the chemo treatments every 6 months. i don't remember off the top of my head what drugs made up her regiment... one drug was called hydroxyurea... she passed away before Gleevec was discovered, which is remarkably effective.

so yeah, you hang in there...

Re:here

[Judg3]

Hiya blinder! Sorry to hear about your mother, but I do appreciate your kind words.

I decided to write this all down, because I never really thought about it, nor did I realize that (for my particular ailment at least) that treatment wasn't as heinous as I thought it would - like I keep saying, I actually feel better now less then a week after the first chemo then I have the prior 3 months!

But yes, there's an amazing amount of effective designer drugs out there - with a hefty price tag associated with it a