My husband (37m) was first diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma back in May 2022, had ABVD Chemo for 6 months and then after a scan, were given the great news that he had complete metabolic response and was cancer free.
Unfortunately he found a lump in February of this year (2025) and after scans and biopsy we had the dreaded news that he’d relapased. He’s had more chemo (GDP) anda scan to show the chemo was working. He is now on day 33 post auto stem cell transplant and is feeling well. However his relapse anxiety is through the roof. When he found both cancers, he had a lump under the arm and also swelling on his right peck. He’s says he doesn’t know if the swelling has gone down and come back up, or if it ever went down. And is constantly in and out of periods of crippling anxiety. We have been told he’ll have a scan in Jan to see if the transplant worked.
It’s so hard to see him so down and worried and I fear it’s only going to get worse for him. I feel helpless in these times as I don’t know if I’m saying the right thing, sometimes should I say anything at all? I’m really struggling to comfort him. If anyone has any tips to help ease my husband’s anxiety or any tips I could do to help. That would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Theworriedwife and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community, and although I was the one with cancer, I know how worrying it is for everyone in the family.
The online community is divided into different support groups so I'm going to recommend that you also join and post in the Hodgkin lymphoma group, as you'll then connect directly with others who have the same type of cancer as your husband. Another group which I think you might benefit from joining is the carers only group where you can find out how others have helped their loved ones deal with anxiety.
To join, just click on the links I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
It would be great if you could put something about your husband's diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
