Hello hello, I just wanted to say hi as I've stumbled across this site and it seems to be a good place to unload a fatigued mind! It's unfortunate that so many are going through the troubles of cancer but at the same time, it's comforting to see such a close group of support available here!
I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in my neck following a lymph node biopsy in November. I was expecting radiotherapy but unfortunately a PET scan revealed that the cells had spread to both sides of my neck, so chemotherapy was the next order!
Generally, I was ok with the news, I tend to be pretty laid back about life and not let things get to me, it's too short to start worrying about things! And ultimately, as sad a thought as it is, there's always someone whose going through a lot worse than me.
Having said that... I started my first of 8 ABVD chemotheraphy cycles on the 9th of Jan and jeez are they irritating! They will be fortnightly so it will be this for another 4 months ahead. What an unpleasant thought! There was a bit of a Christmas backlog so after a nice 8 hour wait in the hospital twiddling my thumbs with my angel of a girlfriend at my side, I eventually got through (only to return to my car and find I'd left the lights on, so a dead battery for me!!) It wasn't the injections or the drip that bothered me however, ohhh no, it's the agonisingly sore mouth I have now and the next to sleepless nights! I'm getting exhausted by about 9pm, which is no fun when I'm trying to keep up with uni work. I was advised to take the steroid tablets for the first 3 days after treatment, which means tonight will be my first night sans drugs.. hopefully it'll be a better one! And I'm watching my mouth like a hawk as well, taking on the old saline mouth wash which isn't the nicest thing I could wish on anyone.
I'll keep posting I imagine as more side effects come about, it's sometimes nice to shout about them, not to burden other people but just to clear them out of your head. Anyhow, enough babble for now, nice talking, over and out.
FormerMember
Welcome to the site Hallsworth!
Good to see you're taking a laid back approach to all this, it really doesn't help to worry and fret about something that you have no control over!
Hope you get a good nights sleep tonight and good luck with the studying!
I'm sorry you are having such horrible side-effects. I didn't have chemo but I'm sure there will be folk on the site who will respond with useful tips about how to help combat the side-effects. My daughter was on steroids and had sleepless nights until someone recommended she take them early in the morning, so ask your chemo nurse if you can do the same. The other advice I would offer is take it easy on yourself... allow yourself time to be ill and time to heal.
On a personal note, my husband worked in Southampton for six years and we (or rather his company) rented a flat in Ocean Village. I thought it was a great city and loved having all the amenities with walking distance.
Found out Mom has stomach cancer but waiting for the biopsy to be taken and results to come back to know what happens next and what chemo they can give if any - really scared though as dont know what to think but also in denial as dont belive it - she is only 51, never smoked and has been cursed with this, i live down the other end of the country from her and not sure whether to move back - will my Dad need help with Mom if she go's through Chemo? Any answers or advice would be great as i am in limbo and dont know whether i am coming or going at the moment.
Glad you found us and hope some of us can cheer you up a bit. The sore mouth sounds horrible and I won't ask you to grin and bear it in case it hurts even more! Grimace and bear it?
Anyway, good luck with it all and as somebody else has said, go easy on yourself.
Sorry Hallsworth i have posted my first comment on the wrong page i am still trying to get use to all this forum and blog stuff. anyway hope your starting to feel a little better and that your mouth stops hurting soon.
