Chemotherapy
Treatment in the clinical trial with CVP followed by a vaccine began in April of 2002. After two treatments, it was clear that it wasn't working. I bounced out of the trial and into the hospital, first with an infection and then with a spleen problem. CHOP with Rituxan started during my hospital stay, but it was accompanied by a slew of complications including tumor lysis syndrome, renal failure and memory loss to name a few.
After 4 of the planned 8 treatments, we were pleased that CHOP seemed to be working. Just after the 5th treatment, however, the disease returned with a roar.
Chemotherapy did little more than deprive me of my hair, help me to forget what day it was, and send me to the hospital with side effects everyone hopes to avoid. On the bright side, it bought enough time for the FDA to approve radioimmunotherapy.