Recently diagnosed

Ive never mentioned on facebook. Theres people on there that would love a bit of gossip and what did they call it on The C Word the other night...grief trolls haha im sure some of them too. Saying that tho its surprising how news travels, i get a few pitying looks at the school gates off people i dont even know that well. All good wishes off people dont get me wrong im just not the sort of person to shout it from the rooftops that ive had HL. 

HI Elena. Im sure you're all over the place at the moment but you'll get support here if and when you need it. You'll probably find that your daughter helps you through this tough time. Kids are amazing and help us to keep a bit of routine and normality.

I was diagnosed late at stage 4 after nearly a year of seeing gps and hospitals. Youre right you cant look back just focus on treatment now. Take each day at a time

Clare x

Grief trolls is right... I call them emotional vampires!!

Hi Elena!! Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. We've all had similar backgrounds and random symptoms we put down to other things! For me it was unstoppable itching around November time (chalked up to changed washing powder) + rank tiredness (put down to it being the end of the year)... it was only when I started to get lumpy glands in my neck it became a lot more lymphomanic.... and here I am =D.

So, sorry you're here in the first place... but, I guess, not sorry that you've found us, you're in the right place! This has long ceased to be 'my' thread but it's more a little community of people just going through everything - we write pretty much daily just about how we're doing and of each other, and it's just such a nice place... and obviously knowing support from people who are going through / have gone through exactly where you are and have been!

For me, personally... I am 26  years old now, and I was diagnosed in stage 2A in mid January. I have had 4 cycles of chemo and am starting radiotherapy on Wednesday next. I got a complete remission outcome after cycle 2 of my chemo, so I hope all of the treatment has destroyed the little bugger :)

I can't imagine what it's like having a young kid, but there are some lovely mummies here who can help and empathise with you :)

It sounds like you're at the start of the process, anyway, so if you do want some idea of what's to come (and some idea, maybe, of the things that crop up physically and mentally) you can check out my (hastily written and poorly articulated) blog here: havinghodgkins.blogspot.co.uk

Keep posting :)! Any little thing, question or whatever.. doesn't matter!

Tom

Hi all, I really really appreciate each and every reply, doesn't it feel strange going home after the diagnosis and doing normal things. Sat watching tv feels weird but of course I am hardly 'watching it' at all. X 

Hi again Elena glad you found us,

You may not believe me but I promise that the waiting for treatment is the hardest part of this journey, I had so many sleepless nights when I was at the point you are at. Once things get moving it feels like something positive is happening which emotionally feels much better.

Like Claire says, you may find having your daughter helps you through. I have teenage boys and it is impossible to wallow for too long as their busy lives go on and they keep me moving forwards. 

Any questions you have just ask, don't ever think a question is silly or worry about offending, we laugh and cry together on this thread.

Oh Phil, the rain! I will cross my fingers for good weather at your side this weekend, can you cross yours for North Yorkshire, I know, I know small chance. Have packed the wetsuits as sea swimming might be a bit chilly without this weekend! Oh dear I can't swim, what a shame I have a PICC line, sorry my boys you're in on your own lol! There have to be some advantages to this cancer lark!

Tom thanks for friending me on Facebook, I can stalk properly now lol.

Mark, you ok lovely? Hope you not thinking of running a temperaturge again. Did you do the Chinese in the end? If you did, tell us what you had so we can all savour it virtually.

BTW all, Moomy had a big birthday this week and she kept it a bit too quiet, have sent flowers to the chat room for her.

Love to all Jakki xx

Fingers crossed :-)

Happy birthday Moomy and here's a virtual box of chocolates, don't eat them all at once :-)

Phil XX

Congratulations Tinsel!

(sorry can't keep up with all this natter!) ;)

Hi Elena,

Welcome to the party! Ok maybe not that far... as Jakki said - the waiting is the hardest part. Once the treatment starts you just knuckle down and it will be over before you know it.

Any questions, don't be shy. Tom has a great blog - he plugs it at every opportunity and who can blame him ;) haha but seriously go check it out!

Nothing to report from me. Saw my consultant today - he actually said the "R-word" for the first time which was nice but he's waiting for the PET results before actually saying "you are in" instead of just "I would be surprised if you weren't in...".

Hope you're all well!

Hi Elena,

as all the others have said, waiting is the pits, and being scared out of your mind for the first chemo appointment, again is the pits.....but folk do it and come out the other side! 

I'm still here to act as a reassuring Gran-type person! Hehe! But it was actually my daughter who went through this, plus many many more treatments before getting to, and another treatment to maintain, remission. So since I had help and support as her carer, I've stayed on to help others through. And this thread is just great! 

Big hugs, tell it like it is! 

xxx