Hodgkin’s lymphoma- chest heaviness similar to before treatment

Hi again Aalina and a warm welcome across to this corner of Community.

I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups……. I deliberately signposted you from your post in the New to Community area to this group as it keeps your support in one place

I don’t have Hodgkin's Lymphoma but I have been on my Lymphoma journey for coming up to 26 years first diagnosed way back in 1999 at 44…… when my first rare (8 in a million) ‘incurable’ but treatable slow growing Low-Grade Cutaneous T-Cell Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) was found.

I eventually reached Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare (4 in a million) type of very aggressive High-Grade Peripheral T-Cell NHL was then presenting so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ is different I most definitely appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well having had over 750hrs of chemo, 45 radiotherapy zaps and 2 Allogenic (donor) Stem Cell Transplants between Oct 2013 and Oct 2015.

I will say yes to times of heaviness in the chest area and higher than usual heart rate during my main 2 years of treatment.

Do talk with your team as they can set your mind at rest…….. my symptoms were checked out and put down to my bodies reaction to treatment…….. and I had no intervening to treatment.

Hi there,

I would also say yes, this can be absolutely normal. After my first chemo my chest did hurt quite a bit and also heaviness.  I Actually went to hospital as I was scared but an xray and bloods soon showed that my disease was smaller and inflammation halved after one treatment. So I’d try and think about the treatment doing its job and can be uncomfortable even as it’s going away.

All the best,

Sarah 

Hi Mike, thank you so much for your kind welcome and for taking the time to share your journey with me. I really appreciate you guiding me to this group and helping me feel supported.

Your experience is incredibly inspiring, especially everything you have been through over so many years. It gives me reassurance to hear from someone who truly understands how challenging this journey can be.

I have completed my 2 cycles of BECOP it didn’t hurt that time. Now I’m on my last two. My chest suddenly started to feel heavy. I’m just more anxious 

Good morning Aalina 

Yes the Lymphoma journey can indeed be challenging but on the whole, compared to many other cancers the challenges tend to be short lived and life can move on.

‘Talking’ can help a lot…… this group is great but if you are in the UK you may want to check out Lymphoma Action… Lymphoma Action is the UKs main Lymphoma charity

The Lymphoma Action website has lots of good reliable information, videos..... basically all things Lymphoma....... pre, during and post treatment.

All the links I use are taken directly from their website and I have volunteered with them about as long as I have with Macmillan……

You may want to widen your support and information base by checking them out

They run various Support Platforms…

I highly recommend these groups as this will widen your support base and there is nothing better than ‘talking’ with others who have walked or are walking the same journey……

Their Closed FB group alone has over 6300 members and unfortunately you would most likely bump into me on there also ;)

They also have a great Buddy Service where you can be linked up with someone who has walked the same support/treatment journey.

The LA helpline is open every week day from 10 till 3 on 0808 808 5555. This is a safe place to talk things through and get support.

((hugs)) 

Thank you millions I ll get in touch with these support groups.