After Effects From ABVD

alpeaceh
alpeaceh Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
I am 44 now & had Hodgkins when I was 25--1992. I have had thyroid & infertilty issues in the past. But this weekend I found out that I have major heart issues. I have to have my mitral valve replaced because of the damage from the chemo. And I have nonischemic cardiomyopathy....your heart "squeeze" is weakened. Has anyone else had to have this done or these issues?

Comments

  • cathyp
    cathyp Member Posts: 376 Member
    #2
    heart issues
    Yes, I have had radiation and ABVD damage my heart. The adriomycin has caused "blunting of the normal augmentation" and I have the start of valve problems.
    I have found that seeing a long term effect specialists has helped me tremendously to sort these things out. Have you tried joining the mailing lists on http://www.acor.org/? I joined the LT-Survivors list. There are many survivors that have faced or are facing the same issues. There is a wealth of knowledge on this board. It lead me to my current LT Effects Specialist. It is tricky to figure out how to join, try using the help page.
    I have learned it is imprtant to see a cardiac surgeon that has operated on radiated hearts. Did you have radiation also? Best wishes to you,
    Cathy
    HD 1989 rads
    HD 1994 ABVD
    IDC 2008 - double mastectomy
  • alpeaceh
    alpeaceh Member Posts: 6
    #3
    cathyp said:

    heart issues
    Yes, I have had radiation and ABVD damage my heart. The adriomycin has caused "blunting of the normal augmentation" and I have the start of valve problems.
    I have found that seeing a long term effect specialists has helped me tremendously to sort these things out. Have you tried joining the mailing lists on http://www.acor.org/? I joined the LT-Survivors list. There are many survivors that have faced or are facing the same issues. There is a wealth of knowledge on this board. It lead me to my current LT Effects Specialist. It is tricky to figure out how to join, try using the help page.
    I have learned it is imprtant to see a cardiac surgeon that has operated on radiated hearts. Did you have radiation also? Best wishes to you,
    Cathy
    HD 1989 rads
    HD 1994 ABVD
    IDC 2008 - double mastectomy

    After Effects From ABVD
    Hi Cathy, thanks for responding!! I did not even know that there was such a specialist. I will join today. I did have radiation/surgeries first, the dam cancer cells where hiding behind my "protective" plates for my lungs. They got big enough to see within a year, so I had more surgery and chemo.
    I will add the question onto my list for my cardiologist about the surgeon. I see him on the 28th.

    Thank you,
    Andrea
  • TheMWord
    TheMWord Member Posts: 23
    #4
    alpeaceh said:

    After Effects From ABVD
    Hi Cathy, thanks for responding!! I did not even know that there was such a specialist. I will join today. I did have radiation/surgeries first, the dam cancer cells where hiding behind my "protective" plates for my lungs. They got big enough to see within a year, so I had more surgery and chemo.
    I will add the question onto my list for my cardiologist about the surgeon. I see him on the 28th.

    Thank you,
    Andrea

    This worries me
    I was just treated with ABVD, and I'm worried about after effects too. I'm only 19 though, and it scares me.
  • cathyp
    cathyp Member Posts: 376 Member
    #5
    TheMWord said:

    This worries me
    I was just treated with ABVD, and I'm worried about after effects too. I'm only 19 though, and it scares me.

    Try not to worry!
    I know, try not to worry, is easier said than done. For now, you can relax and enjoy your succesful treatment for HD. As far as late effects go, just make sure you keep all your followup appointments with your PCP and oncologist. Keep yourself educated and try not to overload on Too Much Information! Also, there are so many HD Long Term Survivors that don't post on here because they are not dealing with any late effects. Hugs to you!
    Cathy
  • TheMWord
    TheMWord Member Posts: 23
    #6
    cathyp said:

    Try not to worry!
    I know, try not to worry, is easier said than done. For now, you can relax and enjoy your succesful treatment for HD. As far as late effects go, just make sure you keep all your followup appointments with your PCP and oncologist. Keep yourself educated and try not to overload on Too Much Information! Also, there are so many HD Long Term Survivors that don't post on here because they are not dealing with any late effects. Hugs to you!
    Cathy

    Thanks Cathy!
    It's overwhelming...even though my doctor doubts I'll have any problems because I responded so well to treatment, I still worry. I had some scares during treatment about my kidneys...

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