Hi all new here - Lymphomas Message Board

smucks · 06-20-2007, 04:43 PM

Hi all I am new here and a new suffer of Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Mine came to light after I had a cluster of Lymp Nodes removed from my right groin after they had been there for just on 3 years.

During the 3 years I never had any symptoms at all just a lump, I had various blood tests/scans done and evenually I was sent to see a specialist who was going to do a biopsy of the lump.

But after examing it he said

"I am not going to touch that I want you on my table the first slot I have".

Two weeks later I was on the table, now just over a month on I am on my third treatment of ABVD.

I am doing well I only had one problem to date and that was with the drug they use to up the white sell count, this is being resolved on the next injection but most people don't have a problem I will add just for some reason I did.

All bone and marrow showed clear and the disease seems to be localized in small amounts, so I guess that after all that time I am lucky.

For those out there that are new to this all I can say is this:

The Bone Marrow and fluid and the bone sample where not painfull, the only discomfort was the anesthetic.
Which the discomfort only lasted a couple of seconds and before I knew it the Doctor had done everything they needed to do and I never felt a thing, I had to try and turn round to have a look as I as not beleive them.

The Scans with medication was ok, there was some strange feelings as the meds kicked in but no pain or anything like that.

The ABVD some discomfort whilst having one of the meds but they very quickly helped with this and so far I have no more pain whilst having the treatment.

Side effects of the ABVD,
Tiredness mentually and physically which comes and goes,
In the first 2 weeks feeling sick but no vomitting but I have meds for this that work 100% when taken correctly.
Some aches but not that bad which again just seem to come and go.
Some days I get everything in one and just hang around the house and get on with hobbies until they go off.

One thing that suprized the Doctors was that it was not a shock when I was told what I had and still today I take it on the chin and take every day as they come, sometimes you get that sinking feeling but you've just got to pick yourself back up not only for yourself but for those around you too and show them you are strong and they seem to follow.

The team that are treating are a great bunch and if I have questions they have all the time in the world to listern and give advise when needed.

Oh I still have my head hair I have lost some on other parts of the body the least said about those parts the better

Well Hello all and I hope you are doing good.

singer78 · 06-20-2007, 05:28 PM

Hey there,
I, too, have Hodgkin's lymphoma and was diagnosed in early May.
I've only had one round of ABVD--my 2nd round was canceled, due to low white blood count, which I'm hoping will be corrected this coming week.
Sounds like you're quite lucky....I, too, was "rushed" through and am STILL trying to get a grip, as to being new to "cancer."
I've made many friends on here & they've all been extremely helpful, especially those that have been through it already and are in remission or cured.
Are you also adding "radiation treatments" to the mix? My Oncologist wants me to, but I'm doing research and I'm not so sure I'm convinced. As a matter of fact, I'm posting a new thread to see what people's views are.
Good luck to you. You sound like you have a great attitude going for you! I'm still "a work in progress," and seeking some answers....although, I must admit (as does everyone else's posts) that the "not knowing" before diagnosis, was the worst.
Welcome to the board. I'm sure you'll be seeing more of me here---They couldn't get rid of me, if they tried! LOL!
S.

smucks · 06-20-2007, 06:12 PM

Hi Singer78, not sure about the radiation treatments, from what the specialist as discussed and he's quite open with me all I have planned at the moment is the ABVD as he did not seem too keen on the radiation treatments as in treating me in the local area on the disease with just that and decided to go with the ABVD.

I just have to wait and see how the treatment goes.

But before I was diagnosed I knew at the back of the mind for the last year at least with all the tests and the look on some of the Doctor's that something was not quite right, but they have all pulled together and now getting the treatment I need of which I thank them.

I will have a look out for your thread when you put it up, I wish you and everyone on the forum all the best its getting "gone late" here in the UK 1:10 am and I had a does of ABVD today so I need to sleep had a nap earlier though.

Night all

pinkmada · 06-21-2007, 06:18 AM

Hey, i also have HL and I'm now on my last cycle of ABVD! woohoo! Can i ask what stage you were diagnosed at?
You seem to be dealing with it well. Did anyone ever mention to you that the lump could be cancerous? I had lots of unusual symptoms, mostly agonising pain in my abdomen and i never had any visable lumps so when i was dx it was a complete shock to everyone including my GP!
xxx

smucks · 06-21-2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkmada

Hey, i also have HL and I'm now on my last cycle of ABVD! woohoo! Can i ask what stage you were diagnosed at?
You seem to be dealing with it well. Did anyone ever mention to you that the lump could be cancerous? I had lots of unusual symptoms, mostly agonising pain in my abdomen and i never had any visable lumps so when i was dx it was a complete shock to everyone including my GP!
xxx

Hi I am glad you are on your last cycle

I have a few more to go I think about 9 left

.

Basically the cluster of Lymp nodes where removed and thats when they found evidence of a tumour, this was then sent for more tests.

I was then passed from the hands of the specialist that did the operation onto a specialist who deals with these kind of tumours.

Where we had a lengthy discussion about treatments and what they was going to do and striaght after had a kind of council session with a member of his team where we talk about the effects and the tests that I needed to have done.

All this happened from the date of the operation this April gone in a space of about 3-4 weeks I had all the tests done and was on treatment.

But they was surprized that I never had any symptoms or pain from the lump or cluster of Lymp nodes in the whole of the 3 years it was there.

Same with me being head strong and not being really shocked with what they found, I have days now where I drop down due to the treatment but as already mentioned just a case of picking yourself up and getting on with life.