Hello, new Hodger here

Edeltraud
Edeltraud Member Posts: 6
in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
Was just diagnosed over Christmas. Well that's a fine thing. Never saw myself as a lymphomaniac, but there it is. Have learned much in these few short weeks. I did freak, for sure. Couldn't sleep...lay awake shaking all night. Mainly because I must keep my job...my GP goes, no you won't be able to, you're life is going to change. NO WAY. My surgeon was much more optimistic, but other docs seemed somewhere in between.
Anyhow, now on prozac and attavan and this has helped immensely.
All kinds of craziness has ensued. Got rid of all the teflon pans, bought gallons of acai juice...still in shock.
My two main questions for those with more experience
I do plan to work and have a flexible, desk job (can work at home some) how do I approach this?
I hate the thought of becoming a chemical dump, I am so healthy I do not even eat at McDonald's...how do you deal with putting all this crap in your body?
Also, did you get household help? I'm not sure how much support to ask for, but I'd like to get it lined up if needed.
Didn't see how to fix my profile...so...I'm 59, F, with classic Hodgkins, mixed cellularity
Also, I want to delay treatment just a few weeks...a lot of medical resistance to this..is that because they think I won't follow through, or because it is vital to my health?
Thanks all...great to read and learn from you all.

Comments

  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #2
    hodger
    First of all welcome to the site. Its not your favorite spot and not mine either. On the other hand you will find loads of support here. I am guessing but if they want you to start treatment right away there must be a health reason for it. Come right out and ask them why its so important to start now. As far as working while in treatment...that is something you will have to wait and see if you have the energy or not. We are all different in the way we react to this chemo. I was on R-CVP for 6 treatments,but I am also retired. I do not think I would have been able to work after round 3. I was so tired and no energy at all. Others may have felt different. I did not like the chemicals pumped into me,but I had no choice. I am now in remission,I get Rituxan every 6 months for 2 years My diagnosis was FOLLICULAR NHL-STAGE 4-GRADE 1 AND NO SYMTOMS. JOHN
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #3
    COBRA666 said:

    hodger
    First of all welcome to the site. Its not your favorite spot and not mine either. On the other hand you will find loads of support here. I am guessing but if they want you to start treatment right away there must be a health reason for it. Come right out and ask them why its so important to start now. As far as working while in treatment...that is something you will have to wait and see if you have the energy or not. We are all different in the way we react to this chemo. I was on R-CVP for 6 treatments,but I am also retired. I do not think I would have been able to work after round 3. I was so tired and no energy at all. Others may have felt different. I did not like the chemicals pumped into me,but I had no choice. I am now in remission,I get Rituxan every 6 months for 2 years My diagnosis was FOLLICULAR NHL-STAGE 4-GRADE 1 AND NO SYMTOMS. JOHN

    Another problem
    Another thing I found during the latter part of treatment was that I developed some fuzzy thinking called chemo brain. It went away. Others don't think so,but Ithats their opinion... LOL...John
  • Edeltraud
    Edeltraud Member Posts: 6
    #4
    thanks
    I appreciate the feedback...and humor : )
  • beckycheman
    beckycheman Member Posts: 4
    #5
    Edeltraud said:

    thanks
    I appreciate the feedback...and humor : )

    Get help!
    Hi there! I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I thinks it's so shocking for all of us when it happens. Like you, I was (am) a very healthy person. Didn't eat much junk, exercised for about 3 hours everyday and thought I could handle hodgkins with little help. Yeah, I was pretty wrong about that. The first couple months are kind of a blur now but my mom did come stay w/ me to help out, especially w/ my kids. She also stocked my freezer with meals....very helpful! A lot of my neighbors also brought food over, which was very nice since I had just moved there a week before my diagnosis. So I would recommend making a bunch of food ahead of time so you have something to grab on the days you feel like crap. I felt pretty ok most of the time so you should probably be able to work. The four days following chemo were the worst, it's like having the flu! Well good luck with everything
    Becky

Discussion Boards