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.
