Beverly's Journey with B-Cell Lymphoma

On Wednesday, 7/27/11, I had a yearly blood test done for physical for insurance and the creatinine came back very high. Blood test was repeated on Thursday, 7/28/11with the same results. I had a CT done on Sat am, the Dr told me on Sunday night that there was a mass and to go to the ER to be admitted with renal failure. Somehow as soon as the Dr told me there was a mass, I knew in the pit of my stomach that it was a cancer. I was admitted to the hospital late Sunday night with acute renal failure and abdominal mass.

I had kidney stents put in Monday afternoon. After that, lots of tests to diagnose the mass. After the biopsy on Wed, officially diagnosed as NHL - low grade, Type B. That's all of the diagnosis that I actually know.

Had my first chemotherapy on 8/6/11;, by Sunday am the creatinine level had started to drop some. Through God's grace, I did not have any major permanent kidney damage or have to have dialysis. Finally, we get to leave the hospital on 8/11/11.

So far, I've had 6 treatments - every 3 weeks for most of the day. The Vincristine was held the last 2 times because of the numbness in my fingers. I haven't had any N/V since chemo began. I get impatient because I have always been very active and most recently, by the time I get home from work I don't have a whole lot of get up and go left. I really try not to complain because thank goodness I can still work and overall I feel pretty good.

Had a PET scan on 10/25/11 and the mass is over 50% smaller than what it was and it is not hardly glowing so says my Doc.!! Thank you God - please keep the prayers coming.

2nd PET scan done on 12/7/11 - tumor is still shrinking.

Had 3rd PET scan since treatment started on Jan 18th. Tumor is now down to 1.29" X 1.69" from original PET on 8/4/11 of 5.39" X 3.38". Another round of chemo of Thurs the 19th with 2nd one in 3 more weeks. Mixed feelings and news. I am so glad it is still shrinking but I'm starting to get more fatigued as time goes on. Someone recommended on this site to exercise to combat the fatigue so I decided to start walking for exercise last week. Dr says great - take it slow. It helps. Chemo is my friend and allie in this fight. Thank you God.

After 2 1/2 years of chemo, I took my last Rituxin treatment yesterday. PET scan came back clean! Mixed emotions about ending chemo - joy because I'm still in remission and fear because my buddy Mr Chemo isn't going to be around any more to keep the cancer away. I've joined a Gilda's Club near me and I'm hoping that the support group will help me with the fear. I'm ok most of the time but then out of the blue I starting thinking what if it comes back. I know that if it does I will just have to deal with it with God's help so all in all it's a very good day.