So I go into the hospital for five days today. After talking to my oncologist yesterday, I feel a little less worried. She doesn't expect me to feel sick in the hospital; rather, it will start when I get home. Good? It's hard to know how to feel about that.
The added "e" in the new formula, from R-CHOP to R-EPOCH:
- R – Rituximab
- E – Etoposide Phosphate
- P – Prednisone
- O – Vincristine Sulfate (Oncovin)
- C – Cyclophosphamide
- H – Doxorubicin Hydrochloride (Hydroxydaunorubicin)
The E is the etoposide. If it were only that! I also am getting a slew of antibiotics because I will be more susceptible to getting illnesses; I have to get a brain scan before I get the dreaded spinal tap to see if the cancer is in my spine (if it is, they throw some chemo at it).
If I get home Saturday, I have to go back a day or two afterwards to get more lab work. If I am getting dehydrated, I can ask for IV hydration at one of these twice weekly visits.
Prognosis with R-EPOCH: 85% of her patients are still alive 4 years later.
Who knows, maybe I will feel well taken care of while in hospital. I still wish so much that friends could visit me!
Other difficult news: I will have to check in with Dr. Ujjani every 3 months after these 5 treatments are over. As long as there is a pandemic, she advises that I not take any long flights since my immunity will be lowered. Will I ever make it to Ireland?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27183909/
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