Recently 17 and recently diagnosed :')

Hi squid6 and 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 lymphoma but I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with a rare, incurable but treatable type of Low Grade Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ is different I do appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.

It is a shock to the system receiving a cancer diagnosis and it does take time to get your head round this but at this very early stage you need to understand that HL is very treatable...... normally with very good results.

Do meet up with your friends, it will be good for you and them....... you are still you and they need to see that....... but do be mindful of the Risk of infection, so try and meet outside and keep away from large crowds.

It's good that you have been talking with your school/college, having taught in a college for over 20 years (now retired) keep them informed and they will do everything they can to get you onto your educational pathway.

You may well have been introduced to the Teenage Cancer Trust, this charity is a great source of information with opportunities to talk with others who are your age.

Let's look for some of the group members to pick up on your post. You can also look through the various posts (hit the main group name and scroll down) and as always you can hit reply and ask some questions and see if the member is looking in.

Our Support Line teams are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm on freephone 0808 808 00 00, email or live webchat where you will find one of team there to help you out. We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.

Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.

Always around to help more or just to chat

Hello Squid6 - Apologies for the delay in my replying but overnight I have been pondering what to write to you. I am not going to repeat what Mike (The highlander) has said - very wise and importantly, very useful, words.

I am slightly older than  you by 61 years- but who is counting. So I imagined what if you were one of my children who had your diagnosis. My reaction- shock obviously. But I wouldn't love you any less and wouldn't define you by your cancer - you would still be my child. And after a few minutes in your company, the rest of our family (and friends) would treat you as you. Yes they will be interested as to how you were getting on, the treatment and any effects.

Do not forget the hugs and larfs.

A bugger about your exams - but this could happen if you had had an accident. It is easy for me to say, but in a few years (and your prognosis at your age is high to be cured as I'm sure you have already looked up on-line) your exams would have been taken and college etc underway/completed. Not the end of the world and your friends now will still be your friends.

Finally (hooray I hear you say) - as you may have already gathered - the staff treating you are on your side. They will pull out all the stops to make you as well as is possible (nobody can predict the future). Do not hold back - if they ask you how you are feeling- tell 'em! You should have been given the name(s) of Nurse Specialist who are there to support you and your family. Most useful as they have direct access to your treatment facility and consultant. They have years of experience and tremendous knowledge so use them if you have any queries - or even just fed up and want a natter.

Finally, finally, I am always here for a natter so all the best and have a (long distance) hug,

Pete

Hello! 

I’m Mary 18 with HL too! 

Every word of that is completely relatable, i was just like you cancer was always a worry for me from over doing suncream, moving away from second hand smoke, anything but especially when it comes to friends and worried about how your relationships with them now will be. What i noticed for our age as well it’s a blessing and a curse cause the real ones really do stand out! They are there to lean on right now and do want to help! 

I put school aside for now and put my health first, but it’s always got to be what you feels best cause your body needs everything it can get right now.

It’s a rollercoaster no question! One day i feel so numb about it the next i’m crying over an advert. I hope all the best for your treatment, there’s privet messages on here if you need to relate or vent! 

Best wishes for you X