← Return to Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): R-CHOP-14 or 21

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Profile picture for Lori, Volunteer Mentor @loribmt

Hi @kat7707 While you're waiting for a reply from @sbergerkinkade and other members with DLBCL to reply, I want to welcome you to Mayo Connect. You're in a tough position of having to make a decision which may impact your life ahead. I can understand, with your previous health issues of stroke and a lung condition, that you're not eager to rush in to a chemo regimen.

RChop consists of five drugs, which when used in combination have shown to be quite effective in treating large B cell lymphoma. As with any chemotherapy treatments, quite honestly, there can be side effects such as nausea, hair loss, possibly neuropathy, etc. However most often the side effects disappear after treatment and recovery. If all goes as planned, enduring those early months of therapy may add many more years of a healthy life for you. I was 65 at the time of my treatment for another type of aggressive blood cancer. It wasn't easy but so far I've bought myself another 7 years of a great life that would have been over had I not taken the chance.

But I know you'd like some answers before you take on that challenge, right? Since you've had two strokes previously, has the impact of these past events been discussed with your oncologist and other doctors who treated your strokes?
Before you proceed with the treatment it would be good to have a consult with your doctors about any potential complications because of your strokes or lung issues. You may also inquire frankly, if you choose to do nothing, what does that scenario look like. It's perfectly acceptable to inquire as to risk vs reward.
But at 64, you're still very young...too young to not look into the future.

Was there an underlying which caused your strokes? If you don't mind sharing, what lung issues are you having?

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Replies to "Hi @kat7707 While you're waiting for a reply from @sbergerkinkade and other members with DLBCL to..."

@loribmt
Hypertension is the only known factor for the strokes.
The lung issues are classified COPD but the actual problem is that I take in the oxygen it just doesn't diffuse as it should to the vital organs.
My concern is the brain fog and fatigue that some say lingers after chemo. I have been blessed to get a return of my facilities from the stroke as well as most of my physical abilities. The physical is slower and not as steady and my hands shake a bit now. I don't want to loose that or become dependent on others.