Confirmed diagnosis

Firstly, so sorry you’ve found yourself here!

now to answer questions (and honestly, nothing is too daft to ask!) 

yes it does seem a little possible that the side your lymphoma nodes are on might make the tinnitus a bit worse simply by pressing on structures. 
if you’re getting pressure anywhere fron the increased size of lymph nodes with the HL then yes, it can aggravate other things.

yes I guess you’ll be shielding of a sort but official shielding has now ended, but your team will be the best to advise you.

hair loss is annoying, daughter found hers thinned with ABVD rather than totally lost, she also cut it very short to reduce the drag on hair follicles. Mostly it begins to shed around the second treatment. Wearing a soft bamboo or silk cap in bed can stop you ending up with it everywhere, I gather! (That advice wasn’t around for our lass) again ask your team if there is help for buying wigs, and how to go about it. It’s years since daughter was at that stage and I think she never did wear the wig she had chosen, it wasn’t the right shape for her. (She handed over her wigs when I was diagnosed with bc just in case, but I didn’t need chemo!) 

Im sure your family should be able to help but may need to social distance and/or wear masks around you, again your team will ge the best people to advise.

one word of useful information; drink plenty of water especially in chemo days. Do check (tmi coming here) you don’t leave any constipation long, ask for help ( it can get bad with ABVD which is the normal chemo regime for Hodgkins.) and actually plenty of water helps for that too.
if you find you get arm pain with any of the chemo drugs (they can be annoyingly hard on veins!) ask that they slow the infusion and speed up the saline as that can help. 

keep posting.....

Hugs xxx

Thank so much for reply, lovely to meet you, despite the circumstances that brought us here.

Thank you for answering all my questions. I seen people posting a a facebook page saying they have to isolate now until covid is cured or for two years because of chemo making ya that vulnerable. This pandemic sure does add a whole new layer of worry to and already stressful situation.

Thanks for the tips and advice all very useful to know

Do you know if people can manage to exercise during chemo? (Obviously not whilst the iv's in...but generally along side a course of treatment?) I'm and addict in recovery and I'm really worried about my mental health, fresh air exercise and holistic treatments have kept me sober for 16 months but I'm really anxious these are going to be taken away from me. 

Thanks for listening to me opening up...this is pretty daunting to me.

Big hugs back xxx

Yes, exercising as and when you feel able is fine. 
daughter had ABVD way back in 2004-5, felt rather grotty the first week but absolutely fine the next. In fact she generally went straight back to work (at the time she was in the band for the touring West End show ‘Chicago’) 

obviously there was still concerns about possible infection but nothing like COVID of course. 

Hugs xxx

Ahhh that has really helped put my mind at rest, thanks so much.

I was worried chemo would knock me out of action for the duration, but hopefully itll be a lot more manageable than I'm anticipating. Thank you.

Have a great day xxx

I’m glad it’s helped. You will of course need to take advice about possible infection risks from your team especially as we go into autumn and winter. Daughter took care but also ensured her diet was really good with lots of fresh veggies and fruit. 

At the time of her diagnosis daughter (she was 26) was thinking of going for the Great North Run, preparatory to applying for the London marathon. That went by the board, but even though she’s had an awful lot more treatment, she is now in her 40’s and is pretty well. 

Hugs xxx

That's great to hear she is doing so well. I had a read through your bio...seems like you both have had a rough time of it...are you both doing well now?

Fruit and veggies are my favourite

Glad you love healthy foods, that’s a great base to go from!

We are doing as well as possible, thank you! That is, we are both taking great care against COVID, it would probably kill her and I’m at risk a bit, having asthma, but hubs is more so, diabetes and a pacemaker! 

We just muddle along as best we can! 
Hugs xxx

It's such a scary and uncertain time isnt it. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me out, despite having do much on yourself, I really do appreciate it.

Xxx

That’s the reason I come on the site, to help where and how I can! So you’re very welcome.

As I said before, no question is too daft!

hugs xxx

A little update...

Have met my consultant, he is putting me on abvd for 4 months (possible more) Ct scan showed mild emphysema on my lungs to might not be able to have one of the drugs, lung function test and PET this week should help him decide. 

Dreading it all and cant wait for it to be started already all at the same time.

Consult said I shouldn't need any pain killers, when I explained I was in drug/alcohol recovery. This seems to contradict everything everyone is say that chemo can be painful  Time will tell I guess.

Anyone got any tips for preparing for PET, they said I get injected with radio active drug and then have to lie completely still for one hour...this seems really daunting, what if I need a wee? 

Hope everyone is happy and well and enjoying/tolerating this hot weather