Funny Cat Video... Chemo #2 this week... No Sleep for me!!

Welcome Lisa and sorry you have to be here but there are great folks on this site who will be chiming in shortly.  Most of us are or were "part robot" here .  First, lymphoma is very treatable nowadays.  I'm almost 3 years in remission from Diffuse Large B Cell Lympoma.  I still have my port but plan to have it removed when I reach the 3 year milestone. 

Cancer sucks and I always hate it when it effects someone so young as you but that youth is an advantage when it comes to the fight.  I read your profile and "surreal" is very normal at this stage.  I always tell people that attitude and humor are free weapons in this war.  From what I see so far, you have pleny  of that so use them.  It will help make the roller coaster ride a little easier.  Anti-anxiety medication is also a big help and if you are not on one (like ativan), I highly recommend it as it keeps the "worry monster" quieter.  Your doctors should also be able to give you something to help you sleep (ativan can help with that too).  Since you seem to be prone to mouth issues, tweak what you eat before, during and after treatment by avoiding acidic/irritating foods.  There are also rinses available and you can make your own from grocery store items as well.

Please know you are welcome here and we'll provide all the support we can. There's a nice mix of folks here.

Hugs and positive thoughts,

Jim

Lisa,

Your port may seem odd, but it makes infusion much safer and easier. I preferred a port over constantly getting IVs, but my clinic required a port for two of the drugs in abvd anyway: The Adriamycin, and the Vinblastine. 

These drugs are both "vesicants," or blister agents, and rapidly kill flesh if spilled. http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/adriamycin.aspx 

My clinic also would not give either of these drugs as a drip. They had to be administered by the nurse with a push cylinder. I asked my nurse about this, and he said, "We cannot leave this drug unattended.  If it spils,we have to call DHEC." 

The first-ever chemo drug was a severe vesicant, developed in the 1950s, to treat leukemia.  It is still in common use today: Mustargen. Derived from the mustage gas used in World War II.  http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Mustargen.aspx

I was consistent on abvd: I was always exhausted, and slept about 18 hours per day, every day. 

I am a "cat person," an am sure I will like the youtube link.

Blessings,

max

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Sorry about your HL. I've got a form of HL and just finished 4th dose of R-ABVD. For me, the mouth zingers only followed first dose. I do the salt water gargle throuout the day. If you click on my name, you will find a link to my blog. I really feel positive attitude, exercise and faith are key. Stay strong!!