Just been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Hi Abbie, 

So very sorry about your diagnosis, but honestly, hundreds and thousands of folk have been exactly where you are now, so scared. But this IS do-able! Tough but do-able. 

Best advice is to make sure you drink plenty of water, make sure you don't get constipated, (I know, tmi but the standard type of chemo for this does carry a tendency!), ask for a different anti-nausea med if the one they give you doesn't help LOTS, and keep a notebook/journal of how you are and how feel, take it with you each appointment so you can look back and say. Get yourself a thermometer as even an extra low temp may well need investigating. Take your temp regularly and phone in if its abnormal.

Sending you a bit hug xxx

ps, oh and do pop a bit of info in your profile, as it helps those who reply to know rather than having to search back....doesn't have to be a lot. Click on your user name, then 'edit my profile', type in and when you've done, 'save'. Mine is long as our lass had problems, then I too got cancer, but we are ok now! 

Hello .  
I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis but you’ll find great support and advice here. 
My husband was diagnosed at the end of February and he is having his last treatment in cycle 3 of ABVD chemo tomorrow ( then 3 more cycles to go ) . 
The treatment is tough but you can do this. 
My husband has bad days but also has really good ones and though he’s physically not in the place he was 12 months ago  he’s a lot better than he was leading up to his diagnosis only 3 months ago. 
Moomy’s advice is spot on , drink plenty and speak up. There’s so much they can do to alleviate any side effects and symptoms and there are so many lovely people on here to help guide you. I’ve found it so reassuring to get advice from people who understand what my husband is going through .  

I was diagnosed on the 6th May. Starting chemo on Friday. Having 12 sessions of chemo over 6 months. I have a 6 inch mass in my chest. I’m just so scared it’s going to make me so ill and I won’t be able to be a proper mum to my 2 daughters aged 9 and 14. 
Im glad your husband is on the road to recovery.

i have so much support round me but they don’t know what im going through and it’s hard.

Thank you for the advice.

I have been reading all about side effects of chemo, there is so much to remember and watch out for, it’s quite confusing.

I have a thermometer due to having 2 children.

i will get a notebook and write everything down, memory isn’t the best to remember things.

i know I will get through this but just so scared but who isn’t when they get told they got cancer.

thank you for your reply 

Hi Abbie,

sorry to hear about your diagnosis. But keep a positive mind as much as you can. I also had a mass in my chest and had the same treatment from 2017-2018. Now 2 years in remission. The advise from the others is great, I’m sure they will supply you with all sorts of anti sickness tablets ectt. It sounds like you have the right support around you. But as you say, they will see it different to you. I never wrote on here through my treatment but did spend a lot of time reading and there are lots of people who are going and have been where you are, your not alone and sometimes it great to talk to someone who’s in a similar situation. Not be worried about Friday, it just means you have less left to do. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask, because people will help. You’ve got this.

Hi  and welcome to the Mac Community. you have received some great support and advice. already.

Although I had a different type of Lymphoma, can I encourage you that this is very treatable. Hodgkin's Lymphoma has been successfully treated for many many years and the folks who have posted are testament to this.

If you have any questions do post them as someone will have experienced this on their treatment journey.

You may find these link helpful for you to navigate the treatment journey.

Nausea

Fatigue

Food during treatment 

Avoiding Infections

((Hugs)) from a distance.

Am I likely to lose my hair? I want to get myself prepared for loosing it and I might do the brave the shave charity. 

Hello Abbie, 

is it ABVD chemo you are having ? 
My husband decided to shave his at the start of treatment to raise money and is about to have the second part of cycle 3, However he has no yet lost all of his hair but it has thinned and is more patchy from what I can tell though he is regularly shaving it now. I think it can be different for everyone. 
The chemo nurses told my husband he would lose hair but the consultant said he may not , I think everybody can react slightly differently but I don’t think you lose it straight away so you have time to settle in and see how you feel.
I know it’s hard not having all the answers straight away but like you’ve said there’s a lot to take it. 
I think the thing my hubby found hardest was the fatigue and just not being able to do the things he’s always taken for granted. He now listens to his body and takes some gentle exercise when he can and rests when he needs it. It’s been a learning curve for us both to help find the new normal for us but I’m always amazed at the body and spirit and how we can learn to change and adapt and how hard you body will work for you. 
Good luck and take care xx

Hi Abbie, 

Will be thinking of you tomorrow, I hope all goes well. If you get any vein pain ask that they slow the drug down and speed up the saline. It does help. 

Do let us know how you're getting on.

Hugs xxx

Hope today went as ok as possible?

been thinking of you 

hugs xxx