Hodgkin's Survivor

Hi, i'm a 26 year old Hodgkin's survivor!

My story is long and complicated I have posted it on my personal web page here at the CSN.

Basically I was diagnosed when my first daughter was 2 months old. I'd been having symptoms for 9 months.

I was in the late stages. (someone asked a staging question before) my doctor never told me my exact stage. but in the research i've done I was at about a 4 B. It is staged depending on what area's of your body are affected, above or below the diaphram, or both. What symptoms show, or none.

I had 6 months of chemotherapy every other week. I was then declaired in remission, only to find a lump in my neck a few months later and begin the process toward receiving a stem cell transplant.

I had my transplant in August of 1998, and then some spot radiation in December of that year.

I am 3 1/2 years in remission now, and feeling good. Although with every itch, twitch, ache or whenever I feel tired; the fear creaps to the front of my brain.

I have had another dauther since my treatment. She is 9 months old now and a miracle baby! I feel so lucky!

Also, someone had questions about menstral cycles after Chemo. I was lucky and my period was never affected by my treatments. They continued on as normal and It only took 4 months for me to conceive my 2nd daughter. I was expecting a lot longer.

My period has started to become much more heavy since my daughter's birth, but i've blamed it on that and not my treatments.

Good luck to all and i'd love to chat with anyone that needs an ear

Rachell