The Party's Over

     December 18th, 2003.     

     Today I went back to the doctor to see what the test results revealed.

     The short version is, the remission is over, there's a 4" mass in my abdomen, and I'll start Rituxan and chemo soon.

     Last time, my chemo consisted of C.O.P.  This time it will be CHOP.  Here's a refresher...

     CHOP chemotherapy agents:

C Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®) DNA-Altering
H Doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) or Rubex® or Hydroxydaunomycin Antitumor Antibiotic
O Vincristine (Oncovin®) Blocks Cell Duplication
P Prednisone (Deltasone®) steroidal: anti-inflammatory, Immunosuppressant

Click here to learn more about CHOP

RITUXAN - a monoclonal antibody (Mab)

Click here to learn more about Rituxan

     The doc's giving me the holidays before starting it up.  My schedule right now is:
December 30th, 10:30 am: A cardiac nuclear scan to make sure my ticker can handle it.
January 7th, 8:30 am: Rituxan treatment.
January 8th, 8:30 am: CHOP Chemo treatment.
January 14th, 10:am: See the doc again to assess the situation.

     The doc says that this will be a very aggressive regimen and that this time all my hair will definitely fall out.  Well, I think I'll just use it as a reason to treat myself to a few new hats!

     Next: Nuke Me! 
                                                            Buck