Hodgkins

v4l3ntin3 · New User Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 3

Hi
My dad is having some tests. I am thinking it is Hodgkins from his symptoms and treatment so far.

Neck Lump and weight loss.

X-ray shows mass in chest

Blood test taken

CT scan and possible biopsy of neck lump arranged

Appointment to see Consultant at hospital after CT scan.

I have been reading the forum and was wondering about treatment.

should he have chemo and radio how long will the treatment be.

Would the chemo be given daily, would he be off work from diagnosis until he was recovered?

Would he need to be taken to the hospital and driven back from appointments and how long do the sessions usually last.

I know treatment can affect people in different ways but just trying to get my head around any support I will need to give.

There isnt anyone else who can support so it will all be down to me.

Thanks for you help all.

SingleDad · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 11:50 pm Post subject: Re: Hodgkins

Good you dropped in with concern about your dad.

Helps to chat with those who have dealt with similar situations.

I don't know about Hodgkins directly and you really need the diagnosis of the type and stage first.

First deep breath - most are curable - keep that in mind and stay positive with him and yourself.

The doc will prescribe chemo depending on type of cancer and age of patient - how old is your dad.

Lets take 3 week cycles between treatments as the norm -

Yes you would drive him to hospital
First treatment takes longer as they are looking for adverse reactions so go slowly plus there will be an information session as to what to expect and in my cae a personalized binder for appointments and holding information about my type of cancer nonHodgkins and various bits of information. = who to call - support groups etc.

Assuming your dad is reasonably healthy otherwise
the chemo goes in over to his body and he also takes some anti-nausea drugs

This is pretty accurate for CHOP+R which is what I had. But until yo know the cancer and the treatment regime this is a bit of guessing

http://mediastinalwhat.com/_chemo.html

Everyone will be different but all will feel they've been through a war by the end....which is true.

Your level of support will depend on his age and reaction and the type of work involved that he does.

I work from home, have staff and very few even knew I had cancer until it was complete and I was in remission.

Staff dropped me off at the hospital at the beginning of the day - blood work gets done and his weight and general well being ( it's a tick off chart ) will be taken.
This is something you will want to keep track of as his bloodwork and weight are important. The cancer team will explain.

Staying upbeat and positive and shielding him from avoidable stress without making him feel like an invalid is a tricky path.
Do have some fun and do have some treats - his tastes will likely change and he needs far higher than normal fat and protein.
If has steroids they will make him hungry and affect his mood so roll with it. That's usually only in the 5 days after the chemo when he is taking related drugs as part of the therapy.

Then his immune system rebuilds - that's the reason for the bloodwork - and it starts over.

First treatment varies for people = getting by fear of the unknown is a big lift. It will most likely go smoothly but typically will be a long tiring day.
Don't duck the anti-nausea he'll need it.

Subsequent treatments will be quicker but will be wearing him down. Figure 6 hours from bloodwork to go home....4 hours for the sit in chair and chat with cancer team and others as the infusions go in. Nice for you to be there - take a book as he may nod off ( there is stuff in the infusion that makes you drowsy )

Sleep is terrific. Upbeat outlook and good food ( skip the raw veggies and juices and any spices ) Got to be easy to eat ( his mouth will get sore ) and digest and he won't absorb as much nutrition as normal.

Don't anticipate too far out or negative outcomes. Keep your fears for airing here.
Often the patients themselves do better than those close to them...so don't be negative energy for him....just figure you'll get through it together and have a bit of fun along the way and perhaps forge a closer bond.

For me staff just dropped me off, I would get blood work done hang about reading until noon when chemo started then settle into a book until I napped.
Then staff would pick me up.
My business has a phone call content so most often I would continue to work in that regard and chat with staff to see how things were going.
Kept me occupied.

Weight loss and depression are two of the risks to have an eye out for. The cancer team will as well.

Get the diagnosis. Read up, ask the cancer team and feel free to chat here.
Be positive for yourself and your dad.
Good luck - these things are beatable but that first little while can be scary for you both until you know what you are facing.

Radiation - well - very quick treatments daily that feel like nothing at first In and out in about 1/2 hour as long as teh machines are keeping up ) and then get reaaaaaaally annoying like a sunburn inside and out.
I'm just getting past the peak of my discomfort.

Keep your sense of humour.
Wink

_________________
Age 61
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation to come as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 - 17 does completed Oct 1.
No more treatments scheduled
Heading to South Africa in January - once the itching stops Mr. Green

ChemoMan · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 2:16 am Post subject: Re: Hodgkins

Hi v4l3ntin3

We really need to know what type of Lymphoma your Dad has before we can give any meanigful advice. All types of lymphoma are treated with chemo, and radiation is also used a fair bit depending on the type. The success rates are very high so your Dad should be in remission at the end of his treatment. Whether your Dad works or not is up to him, how people react to chemo is very individual, what knocks some over, others cope with, so you will have to wait for that.

Once you get some info post back and we will see what we can do for you.

Good luck
_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... Don't forget Rule number 1

v4l3ntin3 · New User Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks

Just a waiting game now until they decide what it is.

Your help is very much appreciated.

v4l3ntin3 · New User Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 3

just an update - been plodding on with various tests. blood CT scan and today he had a biopsy (aspiration) of the lump.

This was taken to pathology straight away and it came back with a haematology consultant (not the consultant who he was booked to see today and who did the aspiration) who looked at the neck lump and said 'that has to come out tomorrow'

YIKES

Lymphoma has now been mentioned but I was not at the hospital so have not got the 100% story from him. Suppose will need to wait for the pathology of the lump going forward.

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