New to CSN - nearly 2 years post Stage 4 NHL

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cazzie1806
cazzie1806 Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
Hi, I'm new to this forum and wondering if there are any others living post treatment, mostly going strong, but sometimes struggling emotionally with flashbacks of the trauma of diagnosis and treatment? I was diagnosed at the age of 38 with a huge mediastinal (chest) mass which was advanced and immediately life threatening, beginning treatment immediately. I went through 6 cycles of R-CHOP chemo, intra-thecal (spinal) chemo and radiotherapy to my chest. I am so blessed as I have been in complete remission for about 18 months, but lately I have been struggling with feeling down and stressed on and off, sleep disturbance and a sense I would love to talk with others in similar situations. I am the mother of 3 young children. Thanks, Carolynne (Australia)

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  • vinny59
    vinny59 Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #2
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    been there
    Hi Carolynne, I can really relate to your situation, I went through head and neck cancer 3 years ago, had Chemo and radiation. I was clean for 3 years, told my Onc. doctor that I was feeling dizzy, she ordered a P.E.T. scan and turns out I have NHL B cell stage 4. When I was getting over my Head and Neck I had trouble sleeping, I was always dreading the call from my Doctors after a routine exam. I was taking sleeping pills to help me sleep. After awhile it does get easier. I have found that it is a waste of time to worry about something you or I have no control over. When I found out I had cancer again, it really didn't surprise me. Time to put on the gloves and start swinging again! Enjoy your life and your family!!!!Vinny
  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #3
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    vinny59 said:

    been there
    Hi Carolynne, I can really relate to your situation, I went through head and neck cancer 3 years ago, had Chemo and radiation. I was clean for 3 years, told my Onc. doctor that I was feeling dizzy, she ordered a P.E.T. scan and turns out I have NHL B cell stage 4. When I was getting over my Head and Neck I had trouble sleeping, I was always dreading the call from my Doctors after a routine exam. I was taking sleeping pills to help me sleep. After awhile it does get easier. I have found that it is a waste of time to worry about something you or I have no control over. When I found out I had cancer again, it really didn't surprise me. Time to put on the gloves and start swinging again! Enjoy your life and your family!!!!Vinny

    Fight still on
    I too go through periods of time where I'm ok, then I start freaking out again. I think just about every day for the last 4 years my first waking thought is I have cancer, just these days it's more of passing thought instead of all consuming one.

    I am on my third bout with this crap and now in maintenance rituxan. I am having some instances happening and can't help but wonder what's going on. There have been a couple times in my life when they started checking me for MS and THAT almost freaked me out more than my NHL.

    I go for my next treatment in 2 weeks and this stuff always rears it's ugly head about now LOL.

    Take care,

    Beth

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