Hi
Diagnosed with Classical Hodgkins 2 days ago aged 29. I have underlying health condition (Psoriatic Arthritis). Very anxious and unsettled few days. Awaiting PET scan next week however been told it will be just under 3 weeks before starting chemo as I have to wait for staging from PET and the week after next there is no treatment due to a bank holiday.
Naturally anxious as I am symptomatic and the lymphoma is at least stage 3 possibly 4. I am therefore eager to begin treatment and fearful to have to wait and further 3 weeks incase the lymphoma progresses further.
Many thanks
Christy
Hi Christy1and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am always sorry to see folks joining us. I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups.
I don’t have Hodgkin's Lymphoma but was diagnosed way back in 1999 with a rare, incurable type of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stage 4a so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ is different I, like many in these groups understand the challenges of this journey well.
It’s important to get all the information put together so as the very best treatment plan is put in place…… in the big picture a few weeks will make no real difference to outcomes but will make a difference if your team jump in with a plan that is not specific for you……. this happens to me a few times over the years but I am still here doing great.
Important to understand that the staging is used to identify where your lymphoma is presenting, what treatment is best snd for how long…….. this is completely different from staging in most other cancers like Breast, Lung, Kidney where a stage 4 is a poor prognosis, I was stage 4a back in late 2013 and over 8 years out I remain in remission.
You may find the Lymphoma Action website helpful Lymphoma Action is a small but very active UK Lymphoma Specific Charity who have lots of good reliable information, videos and run regular Lymphoma Online Support Groups I highly recommend these groups as there is nothing better than talking with other who have walked the journey.
They also have a great Lymphoma Action Buddy Service where people can be linked up with someone who has walked the same treatment journey. They also have a Lymphoma helpline on 0808 808 5555 where Sharon or Nic will be on hand to give you some support - open every week day from 10 till 3.
Always around to chat or help out.
Totally understand this. You will find that day to day health issues that you would deal with without over thinking can now be over thought.
From the point that it was as decided that I bedded chemo it took another 6 weeks to get a another biopsy, CT scan and case review done by a specialist in London all to double check they were treating me the best way…… in then end the delay made no difference to outcomes ((hugs))
Hi Christy I was where you are in September 2020, borderline panic most of the time waiting for staging. All the worrying helped no end as my PET came back as stage 4b 
♂️ so stop that because it helps not 1 jot. After that I was offered the chance to do a clinical trial which would help me. Agreeing to this delayed my treatment starting by just over a month, the d
tors weren’t concerned about the delay. There is a theme here you see. I did 2 cycles of immunotherapy before starting my ABVD chemotherapy 3 days before Xmas. Had my midway PET in February and it swed no evidence of disease. My spleen , liver , bones and lymph nodes all completely clear. My regime was reduced to AVD for the next 4 cycles and 3 weeks after completing treatment my final PET waslear as well. That was a year ago last week and I remain cancer free. Try not to worry and trust your team, they know what they are doing
Yes it was what my consultant called defered pain from my spleen which was more cancer than spleen. All ok now 
