Getting on with it

Wigs, sun and fun!

2010-04-23T14:42:24Z

Had my first ABVD session on Tuesday and have felt rubbish until this morning. It was the day of noggin measurements in readiness for the loss of my hair. My two bestest buddies came with me and I laughed so much my face still aches (not helped by the sore tongue in my mouth!).

Its been a good day and I actually feel like me today. Gearing up for a trip to work on Monday so wish me luck!

Nervous about 1st ABVD

2010-04-18T10:59:20Z

I'm putting on a brave face as my family have been through so much (my big sister had almost 2 years out with severe chrons disease and is just now back to normal at the time when I have been diagnosed with classic HL nodular sclerosing stage 3 B).

My i'm on my own this morning and I am not feeling as brave or positive. I know my prognosis is very good but am so worried that the chemo is going to kick me around on the floor when i am already so very tired...sleeping has been a real issue since december - itchy skin, night sweats, worry.

I think i am going to sit in the garden and be thankful for the sunshine! xoxo

So far...

2010-04-16T07:24:55Z

I had about 18 months of catching every bug going and became really run down - I had (and still have) itchy skin, a persistent cough, night sweats, fatigue and miraculously lost 9kg without realising it. They thought I had allergies, asthma and then thyroid. In January 2010 my glands in my neck were swollen and didn't disappear this is when the gp thought thyroid. I wasn't happy with this so went to the senior gp who immediately put 2 and 2 together to get me fast track referred to en ENT. The ENT did an FNA and on the results of this a core biopsy and then it was confirmed - I have classic Hodgkins (nodular scelrosing) and was referred to haematology.

Blood tests and CT have jsut happened and on Wednesday I was confirmed as stage 3 - with B symptoms - its in my neck, chest and abdomen. My prognosis index is very good apparently i only just scored 1.

I start ABVD on a fortnightly basis on 20 April 2010 and am told this will be for 6 to 8 months.

Feeling nervous and actually quite battle ready to get things moving. Now I know what I am dealing with it is time to get my fight on and kick its arse. I am so looking forward to losing the B symptoms as the night sweats and itchy skin drive me potty.

I have been so impressed with the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital team - they are simply fantastic.

My poor parents are going through it some tho as we've only just got my sister back to work after 2 years struggle with crohns.

My friends are simply wonderful and are accompanying me to get my noggin measured for a wig!

And my employer has been incredible so far. I'm very lucky.