Finding Purpose Amid Health Challenges
- “Full House” star Dave Coulier is preparing to answer questions from his fans on his “Full House Rewind” podcast.
- Coulier was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Some fans expressed that they hope to hear how he is faring through treatment on the podcast.
- Lymphoma is a blood cancer, specifically of the immune system, that affects infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes.
- Lymphoma treatment largely depends on the nature of a patient’s diagnosis. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, their cancer is more likely to spread randomly and be discovered in different groups of lymph nodes in the body.
- Treatment for non-Hodgkin often may include chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
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The questions will likely range from queries about memorable moments and episodes of “Full House” to possibly more personal inquiries, including Coulier’s ongoing cancer journey.
“What happened with the Rusty and his mom storyline? They went so hard with Rusty for a couple of episodes and then never heard from them again. Also Danny’s mom moves to the neighborhood and then never again. All the grandparents fizzled out actually. Also Joey’s squeaky voiced comic girlfriend just went away as well. I need answers,” Instagram user Leeza commented.
“How are you feeling since you were diagnosed with Cancer? Is your treatment going well? I am praying hard that you will win your battle and get better and in remission. Love you so much Dave Coulier,” Instagram user Maya Bareket commented.
The episode has yet to air responding to the slew of questions.
Expert Resources on non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Coulier’s Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Journey
Coulier’s rise to fame came about when he landed a recurring role on “Full House,” a popular sitcom that ran from 1987 to 1995. It featured notable stars, including the late Bob Saget, John Stamos, Lori Loughlin, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The show focused on a widowed sportscaster (Saget) as he raised his three daughters with help from his rock and roll brother-in-law (Stamos) and best friend (Joey).
Many of the cast members remained friends many years after the show ended.
Coulier revealed he had been battling stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in early November. The actor was no stranger to the impact of a cancer diagnosis. His mom and sisters all were diagnosed with a form of cancer.
“I saw what those women in my family went through, and I thought to myself, ‘If I can be just 1/10th of a percent as strong as they were, then I’m going to be just fine,’” Coulier told US Magazine.
What is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?
“Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a big category,” Dr. Julie Vose, chief of hematology/oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet.
All non-Hodgkin lymphomas begin in white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which are part of your body’s immune system. From there, doctors separate these cancers into types depending on the specific kind of lymphocytes they grow from — B cells or T cells.
WATCH: For treatment, the type of lymphoma you have matters.
Knowing which of these you have can help steer you to the most appropriate treatment.
One way doctors divide up these cancers is based on how fast they’re likely to grow and spread. “The two main classifications I think of in terms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are lymphomas that are more indolent and those that are more aggressive because those are treated very differently,” Dr. Jennifer Crombie, medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, told SurvivorNet.
Most non-Hodgkin lymphomas, about 85%, affect B-cells. These cells produce antibodies and proteins that react to foreign substances like viruses or bacteria in your body. The antibodies attach to another protein on the surface of the invading cells, called an antigen, to target and destroy them.
Coping With Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Coulier is currently undergoing chemotherapy and is expected to complete it in February 2025.
Unfortunately, one of the notable side effects of chemo is hair loss.
WATCH: Coping with hair loss during chemo.
Hair loss can be really hard on a patient’s self esteem. We consulted experts for some advice on coping with hair loss during the cancer journey.
“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, told SurvivorNet.
Hair loss from chemotherapy usually begins about three to four weeks after treatment starts and continues through treatment.
This happens because this treatment targets quickly dividing cells throughout the body, including cancer cells and hair cells.
Most patients can expect regrowth four to six weeks after treatment ends. However, when your hair grows back, you may notice some changes in its color and texture.
Dr. Boardman suggests connecting with others experiencing cancer treatment like yours and asking them for first-hand advice.
“Talk to people who have been through it, get their advice, voice your concerns to your caregiver, and see what they can do,” Dr. Boardman added.
If losing your hair is a concern before cancer treatment, know you have options like wigs, hats, wraps, and more.
Treating Lymphoma Patients
Dr. Lawrence Piro, the President and CEO of The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute in Los Angeles, a Cedars-Sinai affiliate, previously spoke to SurvivorNet about the different approaches to treating different types of lymphomas.
“There are some lymphomas that are very treatable but not curable,” he explained.
Lymphoma treatment largely depends on the nature of your specific diagnosis. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, their cancer is more likely to spread randomly and be discovered in different groups of lymph nodes in the body. Hodgkin lymphoma cancers, on the other hand, are more likely to grow consistently from one group of lymph nodes directly to another.
WATCH: Understanding R-CHOP treatment.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment depends on the type, stage, and how fast it grows. People with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma can expect to get a chemotherapy combination called R-CHOP, which is a drug cocktail consisting of chemotherapy drugs plus an antibody-drug and a steroid to treat diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
R-CHOP stands for:
- R: Rituximab (Rituxan) is a monoclonal antibody that attaches to a specific protein called CD20, which sits on the surface of B cells. It targets cancerous cells and destroys them.
- C: Cyclophosphamide is a type of chemotherapy drug
- D: Doxorubicin hydrochloride (hydroxydaunomycin) is a type of chemotherapy drug
- V: Vincristine sulfate (Oncovin) is a type of chemotherapy drug
- P: Prednisone is a steroid which lowers inflammation
Patients receiving R-CHOP receive the drug in six cycles that are three weeks apart.
Side effects of the chemotherapy combination may include:
- Tiredness and weakness
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Bruising and bleeding
- Increased risk of infection
- Appetite loss and weight loss
- Changes in bowel movements
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