Lymphoma Newbie

MattButts
MattButts Member Posts: 37
in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1

Hi. I'm newly diagnosed with Stage III Hodgkins Lymphoma, maybe Stage IV. The bone marrow biopsy was inconclusive and I ain't lettin' 'em do another! Ouch! I just started ABVD chemotherapy yesterday and so far I haven't had any untoward side effects. (I know, give it time...)

This is my second battle with cancer. Last year I had anal cancer treated with radiation, 5FU and Mitomycin. That went well, hope this does too.

Comments

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #2
    Welcome

    Hi Matt,

     I have a different type of Lymphoma,Follicular NHL stg 3, and did a milder chemo than ABVD. Mine was CVP-R. I'm glad you are doing well so far with the chemo. Boy, I hear ya about not wanting to do the BMB anytime soon again !! Hurt like the dickins when I had it done! Surprised We have quite a few folks here that did ABVD, so they should be popping in shortly to share their experience and help with questions you have. Hang in there and I hope your treatments continue to go well!

    Best wishes...Sue

    (FNHL-stg3-grd2-typA-Dx 6/10-age 63) in remission.

  • Rocquie
    Rocquie Member Posts: 869 Member
    #3
    Welcome

    Hi Matt,

    I also want to welcome you to the group. I'm sorry you are having to go through treatments again, but lymphoma is highly treatable. I sure don't blame you for not wanting another BMB. I look forward to hearing from you some more. Feel free to join in on any discussions.

    Rocquie

     

  • SparkSeeker
    SparkSeeker Member Posts: 2
    #4
    Newbie Hello

    Glad to see you found an online support group. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma Stage 2 this year, having my second chemotherapy treatment on Monday. Luckily, I haven't had any big differences either. Staying positive, strong, and ready to overcome :) 

  • SparkSeeker
    SparkSeeker Member Posts: 2
    #5
    Stage and Treatments

    Matt,

    First, congrats on already beating cancer!! I'm so glad to hear everything went well your first time around. Your strength and positive attitude will tremendously help conquer Hodgkin's this time around :)

    I was wondering why your treatments have started without knowing the Stage of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. My bone marrow biopsy took 5 "pokes" before getting an accurate sample. For me, it was worth the omission of Stage IV diagnosis, but maybe the case is different in your situation.

    With ABVD, many patients do not see any major differences after the treatment. I noticed a metallic taste and soreness in mouth. Mints and popsicles help ease these feelings. These 4 drugs not only kills cancer cells, but also good cells that rapidy divide and multiply, which will be frequently noticed most in your mouth (and hair). They return, unlike infectious cells. On Day 3-6, the nauseous feelings arose more, but was manageable. Every person reacts a bit differently, so you'll just have to wait and see what happens. I am guessing that they more treatments we have, the more side effects we'll notice. I look at it as the medications are working to help us recover, so it's good to have some pain for gain. 

    Many healing wishes,

    Jessica

     

     

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #6
    SparkSeeker said:

    Stage and Treatments

    Matt,

    First, congrats on already beating cancer!! I'm so glad to hear everything went well your first time around. Your strength and positive attitude will tremendously help conquer Hodgkin's this time around :)

    I was wondering why your treatments have started without knowing the Stage of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. My bone marrow biopsy took 5 "pokes" before getting an accurate sample. For me, it was worth the omission of Stage IV diagnosis, but maybe the case is different in your situation.

    With ABVD, many patients do not see any major differences after the treatment. I noticed a metallic taste and soreness in mouth. Mints and popsicles help ease these feelings. These 4 drugs not only kills cancer cells, but also good cells that rapidy divide and multiply, which will be frequently noticed most in your mouth (and hair). They return, unlike infectious cells. On Day 3-6, the nauseous feelings arose more, but was manageable. Every person reacts a bit differently, so you'll just have to wait and see what happens. I am guessing that they more treatments we have, the more side effects we'll notice. I look at it as the medications are working to help us recover, so it's good to have some pain for gain. 

    Many healing wishes,

    Jessica

     

     

    Welcome..

    Hi Jessica,

      Welcome to the group. It took 3 times poking me in the hip to finally obtain enough marrow to send to pathology. It was indeed a very unpleasant experience (putting it mildly), but worth it to know the cancer was stage 3 and not 4. Not that treatment is any different with stage 4, but somehow it felt less scary hearing stage 3. I had a milder chemo treatment, CVP-R, and finally reached remission in 2012.A year ago this month I finished with my 2 year maint of Rituxan, so I have been done with all treatments for a year now. I go in for a port flush every month, blood work and check up every 4 months, and a CT scan yearly. My next scan is coming up in April, so I'm anxious to see how things are looking. Knock on wood, all will be good! Smile I pray your treatments continue to go well for you, and hope you will share with us as you go along. Someone is always here to lend support...great group of people here! You take care and my positive thoughts and prayers are with you. Best wishes...Sue

    (Follicular NHL-stg3-grd2-typA-Dx 6/10-age 63-in remission)

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