Treatment

Drugs

Mary's lymphoma is not operable and therefore will be treated using chemotherapy. The common drug combination used for treating this lymphoma is called "CHOP": Cytoxan, Adriamycin, Oncovin (Vincristine), Prednisone. (I suppose the "A" is close enough to "H"!).

These are given in 3-week cycles, for 18 weeks. Nadir is reached normally 5-9 days after each treatment. After four cycles, she'll receive another CT scan to determine if the cancer is gone. Once the cancer is gone, she'll do two more cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiation on the specific areas of cancer origination.

Side Effects

Many of the side effects are listed in the specific drug links noted above, but the major ones are:

Decreased blood counts (both red and white cells). This means decreased resistance to infections, slower blood clotting, low energy level. We need to be careful about being around people who are sick or have been in houses with sick people. She can't be in crowded places (amusement parks, theaters, malls, airplanes, etc.). Germs are also an issue so we'll be using paper towels instead of towels for drying hands to reduce germ spreading. Sounds like fun, huh?
Alopecia. Lot's of cute hats!

Prognosis

The doctors are indicating that though this is not a "slam-dunk", her "chances" of a full recovery are much better than 50-50. We could, of course, worry lots about this but would that add any hairs to our head?!? [pun intended] While we do appreciate the various doctors involved in the process, we're trusting the Lord for His healing and that all will be done for His glory.


		Treatment Drugs Mary's lymphoma is not operable and therefore will be treated using chemotherapy. The common drug combination used for treating this lymphoma is called "CHOP": Cytoxan, Adriamycin, Oncovin (Vincristine), Prednisone. (I suppose the "A" is close enough to "H"!). These are given in 3-week cycles, for 18 weeks. Nadir is reached normally 5-9 days after each treatment. After four cycles, she'll receive another CT scan to determine if the cancer is gone. Once the cancer is gone, she'll do two more cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiation on the specific areas of cancer origination. Side Effects Many of the side effects are listed in the specific drug links noted above, but the major ones are: Decreased blood counts (both red and white cells). This means decreased resistance to infections, slower blood clotting, low energy level. We need to be careful about being around people who are sick or have been in houses with sick people. She can't be in crowded places (amusement parks, theaters, malls, airplanes, etc.). Germs are also an issue so we'll be using paper towels instead of towels for drying hands to reduce germ spreading. Sounds like fun, huh? Alopecia. Lot's of cute hats! Prognosis The doctors are indicating that though this is not a "slam-dunk", her "chances" of a full recovery are much better than 50-50. We could, of course, worry lots about this but would that add any hairs to our head?!? [pun intended] While we do appreciate the various doctors involved in the process, we're trusting the Lord for His healing and that all will be done for His glory.

	Comments or questions about the web page? Contact Douglas Valkenaar