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Maur1966

I have been treating with ABVD for the past few mos. I only have 3 more chemos (1 1/2 cycles) However, most recently the Bleomycin was deleted because I had some lung damage from it. Today I met with a radiology oncologist and he frowned upon radiation. I was a stage 3 and have been told from the beginning that I would probably treat with radiation at the end. Has anyone avoided the radiation? Has anyone had the bleomycin deleted for a few treatments? I have responded very well, even after 3 treatments my scans showed "normal". I am anxious to get a pet scan, but will not have one until completion of chemo. Please respond, I am really wondering. Thanks!~

positive

My dad had the bleomycin removed after the 6th abvd treatment. It's more common than you think. The bleomycin tends to cause lung toxicity. My dad started out having a cough. The Bleomycin is the least important drug out of the abvd. My dads lungs recuperated well. My dad had low dose radiation to the mantle field. He did not have any lung problems with that. My dad did have a 4 week delay having his last 2 chemo treatment. If you have read my other notes, you will read my dad is doing well. I'm happy to hear you are responding well to the treatments and you are almost done. Don't panic, this is all quite common and there is no compromise of your cure. I'm very positive about what I say, my dad had a world renowed lymphoma specialist in new york city.
Lots of hugs and support
Val

positive

My dad had the bleomycin removed after the 6th abvd treatment. It's more common than you think. The bleomycin tends to cause lung toxicity. My dad started out having a cough. The Bleomycin is the least important drug out of the abvd. My dads lungs recuperated well. My dad had low dose radiation to the mantle field. He did not have any lung problems with that. My dad did have a 4 week delay having his last 2 chemo treatment. If you have read my other notes, you will read my dad is doing well. I'm happy to hear you are responding well to the treatments and you are almost done. Don't panic, this is all quite common and there is no compromise of your cure. I'm very positive about what I say, my dad had a world renowed lymphoma specialist in new york city.
Lots of hugs and support
Val

bc99

My mom was diagnosed at stage 4 and was treated with ABVD only. Her doctor also removed the Bleomycin for her last 2 cycles because she had a horrible cough and was having difficulty breathing. She has been in remission for 1.5 years and is doing very well - no lung damage and all of her scans keep coming back normal. She didn't have radiation because both her local oncologist and an oncologist at Dana Farber advised against it, but everyone's situation is different and it might not hurt to get a second opinion if you are unsure about which way to go. Congratulations on nearing the end of chemo!!

kikiaki

bc99 said:

My mom was diagnosed at stage 4 and was treated with ABVD only. Her doctor also removed the Bleomycin for her last 2 cycles because she had a horrible cough and was having difficulty breathing. She has been in remission for 1.5 years and is doing very well - no lung damage and all of her scans keep coming back normal. She didn't have radiation because both her local oncologist and an oncologist at Dana Farber advised against it, but everyone's situation is different and it might not hurt to get a second opinion if you are unsure about which way to go. Congratulations on nearing the end of chemo!!

hi, im kikiaki and new to this site. im 36 yrs old and have 3 sons. i had stage 4 hodgkind in 1995, was clear completely for 8 yrs. till march/03. then in stage 2 now im not sure. ive been taking chemo for 2 yrs w/o success. in 95 i was cured in 6 months. anway now my dr. wants me to get a stem cell transplant, i read not everyone survives, im horrified as im older now. someone please help me, tell me a success story, hope anything. im sooooooooo scared!! thanks kikiaki

tinadadamo

There was recently an article on the Leukemia/Lymphoma website about radiation after chemo and how it wasn't always necessary. You may want to go to their site and read the article.