Husband has Hodgkins

kshope
kshope Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
My husband was diagnosed with Hodgkins Aug 2002. He has completed 12 ABVD treatments, but the latest Pet scan shows activity in a gland that did not show activity before. He is considered unconfirmed remission. I am very worried that the treatments did not work since nodes in chest shrunk a little, but not to normal size. He is very upset that there is a possibility that the treatment did not work and he will need more.

I do not know what to say to him to help him keep positive. How can I help him to deal with the
dissapointments and constant waiting for test results?

Comments

  • dpomroy
    dpomroy Member Posts: 135
    #2
    I am assuming that a repeat PET scan will be done in a few months to see if there is still anything there. I had spots light up in PET scans that did not appear in subsequent scans. One time it ended up being fractured ribs from all the coughing I did over a fairly long recovery from a cold.

    I wish I could tell you that the constant worrying about results goes away. I will always get nervous and worried each anniversary appointment that the cancer might have come back. For me what does help (a little anyway) is knowing that if I am vigilant about checkups, my doctors and I can tackle problems if they do arise right away. There are things available now that wouldn't have been back in 2000 when I was first diagnosed. I have every confidence that if I ever need it, there will be even more things to try.

    Good luck to you both.
  • polly47
    polly47 Member Posts: 8
    #3
    The constant worrying about tests and test results never seems to end. This is only normal. My husband was diagnosed in March of 2001. He underwent radiation therapy and chemotherapy(ABVD and ICE). In January of 2002, he underwent a autologous stem cell transplant. He is doing very well, but it has been a very long haul. I know only too well how very worried you both are, but please know that Hodgkin's Disease is a curable cancer. His doctor will keep a constant check on him and advise you of each step. Have confidence and most of all, keep your faith. Think positive thoughts! Encourage your husband to express his feelings. As for me... I have a wonderful friend who supports me and "listens". She has been my rock. You'll get through this, too. Good luck to you both!
  • Jonathan7870
    Jonathan7870 Member Posts: 3
    #4
    I had hodgkins in 1995 and I still have glands that have not returned to normal size. Sometimes, there is actually scar tissue generated in the nodes from the cancer. God bless you through this battle, He did me.
  • Gadflyy
    Gadflyy Member Posts: 3
    #5
    I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's stage 4B in November 2000. I woul have been stage 5, but there is not such thing. I underwent 16 ABVD treatments and appeaed to be in remission. The PET scan was negative but the CT scan picked up something so they did surgery and it turned out to be just scar tissue. However, Ihave had a reaccurance and just started ICE and will have a stem cell transplant in mid-June to kill this thing once and for all. The good thing is it's curable and I am young and healthy enough to be cured. I hope I can give testimony to others when it's all over and show then you can be sured and can be healthy once again.
  • BryanM
    BryanM Member Posts: 1
    #6
    I do know how you feel. I too went through 12 ABVD to only have it come back within a few months. After that I had 19 treatments of radiation which really wasn't bad at all. Then went through a stem cell transplant that kind of sucked. But ... it's been 6 years now and I feel great! My wife and I had a baby boy 6 months ago and he's big, beautiful and brought an incredible amount of joy to our lives. We truly feel blessed. So try to be positive, it is likely just scar tissue still shrinking but if it's not, it's still not the end of the world. Good luck.
  • Dones
    Dones Member Posts: 1
    #7
    Hi, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins stage 4 on April 16, 2000. After initial treatment my doctors recommended a "mini bone marrow transplant." It was done at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. According to my doctor in NY I'm considered cured. The transplant save my life. My brother was my donor. If you husband needs to speak to me, my email address is NCD1002@aol.com
  • Gadflyy
    Gadflyy Member Posts: 3
    #8
    Dones said:

    Hi, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins stage 4 on April 16, 2000. After initial treatment my doctors recommended a "mini bone marrow transplant." It was done at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. According to my doctor in NY I'm considered cured. The transplant save my life. My brother was my donor. If you husband needs to speak to me, my email address is NCD1002@aol.com

    I am new at this and Im not sure how much I should write if Im going to accidently delete it. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's stage 4B and had ABVD two years ago. Now it's back and I am preparing for a stem cell transplant. I hope that this kills it dead and I can move on with my life. I am scared, but more scared to not do it. My hair is falling our pretty consistantly and I go in to the hospital every two weeks for ICE that makes me sick. My e mail address is MStolarsky@Hotmail.com if you want to write back.

    What is a "mini bone marrow tranplant"? Is that like the autogolous stem cell transplant? My doctors say there is no other option and I dont think that is true. Thanks.
  • jggrsdi
    jggrsdi Member Posts: 1
    #9
    Gadflyy said:

    I am new at this and Im not sure how much I should write if Im going to accidently delete it. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's stage 4B and had ABVD two years ago. Now it's back and I am preparing for a stem cell transplant. I hope that this kills it dead and I can move on with my life. I am scared, but more scared to not do it. My hair is falling our pretty consistantly and I go in to the hospital every two weeks for ICE that makes me sick. My e mail address is MStolarsky@Hotmail.com if you want to write back.

    What is a "mini bone marrow tranplant"? Is that like the autogolous stem cell transplant? My doctors say there is no other option and I dont think that is true. Thanks.

    Gadflyy
    My husband was diagnosed two and a halve years ago with Hodgkins. He has had ABVD, ICE, a stem cell transplant and is now on another chemo treatment. Nothing is working. I am pulling my hair out trying to get ANY info on new treatments or other peoples experience. I feel lost because everyone else I have talked to who have been through a transplant are doing great.Hope all goes well for you. Let me know.

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