Just diagnoaed with Hodgkins lymphoma

Dear Claire, welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis and having experienced the shock of receiving similar news understand how you are feeling. The good news is there are many knowledgeable people in the forum who will be able to offer you support for your kind of blood cancer and will be in touch to direct you to the appropriate groups. As hard as is it is to believe at this moment you will find a way to adjust to your situation, but you have to give yourself time and not expect too much too soon, it’s a process. Once you have your treatment plan you will feel much more in control and your focus will switch towards dealing with hospital appointments etc. You’ll be surprised how well you will adapt, I’m 16 months on from diagnosis and the stressful early days seem like a distant memory. Don’t be afraid to reach out for emotional support it’s just as important as the medical side of things.

best wishes

Hi Claire, so sorry that you’ve joined this particular band of warriors. Having a blood cancer is scary as  many people-know so little about  these particular cancers. You will know more once you have met with your team and they have all the results. As someone has already said, once a treatment plan is drawn up you will be busy with treatments and appointments. Nothing is ever as scary as you imagine it will be. My original diagnosis was for non Hodgkins Lymphoma. At first I was on a ‘watch and wait’ regime which initially seemed a bit weird (I actually wanted to feel as if I was doing something!) It was amazing how quickly I put it to the back of my mind and just carried on with life. Two years later the cancer had transformed into a more aggressive type and I started an intensive course of treatment. That was nearly 3 years ago and I have just completed two years of maintenance Rituximab. Treatments are improving all the time and there are lots of people out there who will support you through this. Of course you will need time to come to terms with your diagnosis; cry, rail at the gods, talk. Once you are over the shock just put all that energy into fighting the disease and reclaiming your life. It is do-able. Any questions, just post on the forum, there is enough experience out there to help in most situations. Sending you love and strength.