My Personal Journey (Part 2)

By Dennis Golden

1 min read

In this second video, Dennis discusses his reaction to his first time experiencing R-CHOP chemotherapy, from his port installation to his first infusion.

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Ramae Hamrin Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="DennisGolden" user-id="3641422"/> I really appreciate your friendly and easy-going manner in your videos. Being a myeloma patient, I'm not familiar with R-CHOP at all. I'm nervous to find out happens next!
1. Dennis Golden Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Ramae Hamrin" user-id="3651272"/> R-CHOP is a rather new treatment apparently and also very potent I am told. I had no doubts about that after the first infusion put me in the hospital for 7 days. After that the dose was adjusted and I got through it Now ... all is well and ... no signs of NHL in my system 😀
Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="DennisGolden" user-id="3641422"/> I'm glad you are on the other side of this disease, but glad you are sharing your story. Understanding what might lay ahead and knowing some of the things that may help is extremely important. Thanks for sharing! Ann (Blood-Cancer.com Team Member)
Dennis Golden Moderator
Ann Harper My personal knowledge level about blood-cancer was zero and then you hear the words " you need chemo" and you are just in a stunned state. My only experience went back to my 20's when my brother-in-law was diagnose with leukemia. He was being treated in Charlottesville VA and I recalled he had a really rough time with the treatments. So was expecting the same. R-CHOP was not fun but the way it was done was OK and apparently worked. Apparently things changed a lot 😀 in the 50+ years since my brother in-laws treatment. You always hope your personal experience may offer others some peace of mind a they face the unknowns of chemo treatment ... Dennis (Blood-Cancer.com TEAM)
Katelynn Bauer Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="DennisGolden" user-id="3641422"/> I don't know how I missed these when they came out. You seem so naturally yourself on camera, you're very calming to watch/listen to. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I had R-CHOP too for NHL, I can definitely relate to what you went through, it was very scary. But I'm glad we both got through it! The device on your arm sounds very interesting, I've never heard of it before. I hope you're doing well today! Warm wishes, Katelynn (Team Member) 
1. Dennis Golden Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Katelynn Bauer" user-id="3653385"/> I have experienced the same thing - all of a sudden something unexpected pops up ... an article or video and I look at the date scratch my head and say how did I miss that one. So you are not alone and glad to meet a fellow R-CHOP'er. That device on my arm is called a Neulasta - an auto injector that was programed to react 24 hrs after an R-CHOP treatment . Its purpose is to increase your white blood cell count. Some MD's use it others do not .The idea behind it is you do not have to go back to the infusion center the next day to get a follow up shot. My white blood count after my first infusion was really low and while the device worked it took days for my my body to react. I was hospitalized for 10 days as I was passing out due to low cell counts and low blood pressure. By round 2 the oncologist adjusted the concentrations and I was ok from that point on. Today i am in full remission and glad to hear you are also doing well - please feel free to keep in touch ...In Connecticut, 78 years young and still manage to ride a bicycle 25 miles several days a week. I think being physically fit helps a bit when you are dealing with cancer . Dennis(Blood-Cancer.com TEAM)
2. Katelynn Bauer Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="DennisGolden" user-id="3641422"/> Ok, good to know it's not just me haha. Ok, that's interesting and nice that they are able to make things a bit easier on patients. I'm glad you ended up being ok, 10 days is a long time. I'm so happy for you! I know through your articles you've endured a lot of medical ups and downs. You as well! I'm in Texas myself but travel to Florida too as I was raised there. It certainly does! I try to swim/walk when I can it's just so darn warm most of the year. Warm wishes (or maybe cool this time), Katelynn (Team Member)