Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

I am taking care of a man who has recently been diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.  He is 66 years old and mentally handicapped.  He keeps telling his family members that he is not taking the RChop or Chop treatments.  We can see him getting weaker.  He has lost 60 lbs in the past few months.  He stumbles around, and can't control his bowels.  The Dr. said that he has several 4-6" tumors in his stomach, and has it in his lymph nodes, and in the bone marrow.  The Dr. says that he doesn't even know if the chemo will do any good. Has anyone not taken these treatments, or known someone that has not taken them?  Are the symptoms we are seeing normal?  I know that this is an aggressive cancer from what the doc says and what I have researched.  It just seems that it may be more advanced than a Stage II (which is what 1 doc said).  The family said that he is fixing to need 24 hour care because of the changes that he is undergoing.  Is there anything we can do to help him? Thank you so much for your help.  I guess I'm just totally ignorant to this type of situation.

First, let me tell you I am sorry for what you and your loved one are going through.  I was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma back in January and only given Rituxan which worked great.  However, just about a month ago, my one tumor began to enlarge a little and the doctors decided to put me on the CHOP and Rituxan.  My regular Oncologist that put me on the Rituxan got sick and I had to see one of his partners when the tumor started to grow.  The new doctor could not believe I was not given CHOPS from the beginning.  Now, I am on both CHOPS and Rituxan and hopefully this will do the job.  I would ask his doctor about putting him on the CHOPS because it may be able to help him.  the treatment is a little tough on me, but I am getting through it ok.  The first two weeks after treatment, I experience a lot of nausea and some moderate to severe bone pain, but after the two weeks, I begin to feel normal again.  Anyway, I hope this helps you and I would love to exchange information with you via the message board and help in anyway possible.  By the way, I am only 37 and never thought it would happen to me.  The best advice I can give to you is to give him all the support you can.   That is so important to me and I think other cancer patients realize how important supporot is.   God Bless and take care.

I am so sorry for everything that you are going through.  My prayers are with you.  I can give you an update on my friend.  His story is different though, in the fact that he has refused treatment.  I feel that he is only a couple of weeks from death.  He now sits in his wheelchair, quietly...and doesn't say much at all.  They have put him on morphine pills, and the liquid.  He is on Adorax 4 x's per day (diffuse b-cell lymphoma causes severe itching, and this medication is supposed to help this).  He has literally clawed his skin until he bleeds.  He tells everyone that he is fixing to tell God to come and get him because the itching is driving him crazy.  This is sad to watch.  We all thought that he would just go peacefully in his sleep.  I guess God has other plans for him.  Noone has given me any info on this type of lymphoma although I have just about begged.  I am learning from experience and from watcing.  My goal now is to inform people who have this disease as what to expect without treatment.  God bless you and may God keep his hands upon you!!!! : )

Sabrina