Hodgkin's Survivor

rachell
rachell Member Posts: 3
Hi, i'm a 26 year old Hodgkin's survivor!

My story is long and complicated :) I have posted it on my personal web page here at the CSN.

Basically I was diagnosed when my first daughter was 2 months old. I'd been having symptoms for 9 months.

I was in the late stages. (someone asked a staging question before) my doctor never told me my exact stage. but in the research i've done I was at about a 4 B. It is staged depending on what area's of your body are affected, above or below the diaphram, or both. What symptoms show, or none.

I had 6 months of chemotherapy every other week. I was then declaired in remission, only to find a lump in my neck a few months later and begin the process toward receiving a stem cell transplant.

I had my transplant in August of 1998, and then some spot radiation in December of that year.

I am 3 1/2 years in remission now, and feeling good. Although with every itch, twitch, ache or whenever I feel tired; the fear creaps to the front of my brain.

I have had another dauther since my treatment. She is 9 months old now and a miracle baby! I feel so lucky!

Also, someone had questions about menstral cycles after Chemo. I was lucky and my period was never affected by my treatments. They continued on as normal and It only took 4 months for me to conceive my 2nd daughter. I was expecting a lot longer.

My period has started to become much more heavy since my daughter's birth, but i've blamed it on that and not my treatments.

Good luck to all and i'd love to chat with anyone that needs an ear :)

Rachell

Comments

  • dpomroy
    dpomroy Member Posts: 135
    Rachell,
    What kind of stem cell transplant did you need?
  • lpadilla
    lpadilla Member Posts: 3
    Hi Rachell,
    This is so great, I'm so happy you were able to have that second baby after your treatment. Our stories are very similar, although I was at an earlier stage (2 A), I'm 27 years old, almost 3 years cancer free and I also have a miracle baby! She is 10 months old and was conceived 10 months after my treatment! Isn't it amazing? Weren't your doctor's amazed? I know mine were. I guess miracles do happen :-)

    Laura

    Laura
  • xtrulyblessedx
    xtrulyblessedx Member Posts: 1
    Hello,

    I am also a Hodgkin's survivor, going on my 4th year now. First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your new baby. That is truly a blessing. Well, my story is on my oersonal page, but just to brief you, was diagnosed at the age of 22 after noticing a lump in my neck. I am a little worried because now I no longer have insurance and have been without it for about 2 years and my mother is constantly bringing up the fact that I need to get my checkups :-) But, I know that God didn't bring me this far to leave me. I will soon be graduating from school in May with my Doctorate of Pharmacy degree, so I am very excited. Well, hope to hear from you soon.
  • jakesmom0618
    jakesmom0618 Member Posts: 3
    Rachell,
    Hello...My name is Diana and I am 26 years old. I was diagnosed with HD (stage 1B, i think...they never really told me either)...my son was six months old at the time. I am almost two years out of treatment and my husband and I are very ready for another baby. Your story is an inspiration to me. I have one question...weren't you scared that pregnancy would trigger a recurrence of the HD? I am scared to death of that possibility. PLEASE email me at diana@nationalcorp.com. I would REALLY appreciate talking to you. Thank you.
  • lmpg
    lmpg Member Posts: 7
    Hi...

    I'm a stage IIa hodgkins patient who has done the 12 rounds of ABVD chemo and have 10 radiation treatments left. I'm a 38 year old mom who was very healthy and beyond shocked to get this diagnosis in Nov 2001. I've kept a very positive perspective and had the "I will beat it and live to 100" perspective throughout this. After all, I have a 7 year old to raise and a lot of living to do.

    Anyway, it's now June 2002 and I'm almost "over it" and will soon be in the follow up stage of things.

    How do you get past the aches, pains, twitches, etc? I'm in a constant state of worry and I know I cannot spend energy worrying. I'm driving myself nuts. Any advice would be appreciated. I want to know how you get back to "normal" whatever normal becomes after this.

    Please respond to lmpg@aol.com thanks.