recurring

I think that the thought of cancer comming back or getting a new form is always in the back of your head somewhere. I had Hodgkins1a and had radiation treatment only, and feel sometimes I made a mistake, and think every little lump or bump might be a recurrance. I think support groups are good for this, because everyone knows how you feel. You are not alone!

I was IIB in 2002. This was my second go-around... I had testicular cancer back in 1985.

My radiation oncologist and medical oncologist both cautioned me to continue regular check-ups for the rest of my life. They said they didn't want to frighten me, but noted that Hodgkins has a fairly high rate of recurrence. If I remember correctly, that rate was somewhere around 20%. (Please ask your doctor about that. My memory isn't what it used to be.) My doctors were also reminding me that my cancer history makes my chances of another cancer experience greater than average.

Regardless, we all must remain in touch with our oncologists. Recurrences can be different types of cancer than can be in different areas of the body. But our informed vigilance and good medical care can help us turn our "fears" into "caution."

klbermudez said:

Hi - I was diagnosed with stage IVB in 1989. I remember when I hit the 5 year mark and looked at my Dr and said "now I'm cured right"? Well, he told me that Hodgkins is the gift that likes to keep on giving. I'm glad that I'm now at 16 years with no reacurrence - pretty good for someone they didn't think would live past 6 months. I guess I'm lucky that my body was so intollerant of the Chemo - I started with MOPP and had so many problems with the Prednisone that my doctor switched me to COP - I always wonder if that's the secret of my success. While it's always at the back of my mind I don't ever worry about reacurrance becase heck, I'm 48 yrs old now and was happy to get the additional 16 years. Every day is a gift and cancer really taught me not to worry about what could happen in the future but to just get through today.

I think one of the cancers that can be caused by 2-butoxyethanol exposure is this one: NHL There were 4 beach workers during the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup who came across a freshly sprayed beach (Inipol EAP 22 had 12% 2-butoxyethanol) They all came down with NHL and the last one died about 2 years ago. I realize that that's not much to base an opinion on, medically speaking; however, this chemical is in lots of things, and causes a lot of harm: www.valdezlink.com/acute.htm

I would avoid exposure to it in the cleaning products and paints, etc that are pretty strong in it. You can't easily figure it out, but look for diarrhea and flu like symptoms with eyes burning and hurting as an exposure reaction. And go to the internet, and put in the name of the product you are interested in knowing about, and put after it MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

Yes, I definitely agree with everyone. You can't avoid having the fear of a recurrence. I definitely felt this way, however being cautious and knowing the symptoms has helped me this time around. I was first diagnosed in August 2003 and recently diagnosed again in July 2005. Hey, if I did one time I can do it again and I will.

Hi. I'm a 37 year old female who had stage IIB Hodgkins in 1994. I was diagnosed when my son was 2 weeks old. I'm now 11 years cancer-free. Since treatment with ABDV (no radiation) for about 8 months, I've noticed that I do get sick a lot & my lymph nodes do seem to be swollen almost constantly (lately). I have to admit that I'm a hypochondriac! I'm fearful a lot about a reccurrence. I go to the doctor too much, but I'm working with my husband to subside my fears. I wish you well! Rebeckah