Looking for survivors

Emily · Regular Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

Hi,

I am looking for survivors of childhood cancer. I had cancer when I was 11 and although I am 24 I still have a hard time accepting what I went through. At the time I was the only child with my kind of cancer in my city and also the oldest in the clinic so I didn't really have anyone to share my experience with and well although family is great it's another thing when you can talk to others who went through the same thing.

So if there are any survivors out there give me a shout!!

Emily

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Thanks for posting ?! I suppose you had lymphoma as a child ? You can let us know what you had and how you were treated, and some people may get in touch with you.

Treatment of lymphomas and certain childhood leukemias has improved a lot. You are living proof of that.

best regards,
Leo
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Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

Emily · Regular Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 12

I had lymphoblastic lymphoma and was treated with chemotherapy for a year and a half every two weeks. And the usual scans and xrays.

Hughty · New User Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 7

Hi Emily,
I am a survivor of Hodgkins. They found it when I was 21. It was in 1972 and I was in a guinea pig program. It is hard to cope with all you go through, but you have to look at it as a learning experience. I have found that over the years I have insights into things that other people miss. I also learned that I notice a lot of thingsthat are not important to other people. For instance how wonderful a sunrise is. Or how important every minute of life is and how long a minute is. There is a lot in life that people don't see that have never beenfaced with there own mortality. In a way we are blessed for getting a wake up call to appreciate all of life. Every second we are alive is a beautiful thing. The older I ge the more I appreciate it. I have gotten to meet my granchildren, who I never thought I would ever see. I got to see my children grow up. I am looking forward to meeting my greatgrandchildren someday. All we can do is enjoy what time we have on this earth.
Good luck with all your life.
Remember Life is short, enjoy every second. Wink

Hugh

jamesatkins · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:28 am Post subject: survivor of childhood cancer

Hi There,
I was diognosed with stage 4 N.H.Lymphoma when i was 17, 23yrs ago.
I was too old for the childrens ward at the hospital i was treated at so they put me in a ward with dieing old men,i was the only teen there,and death was a daily occurance.
I spent 3mnths in that ward,i even overheard one of the nurses refer to it as the death ward. Im sure i suffered post traumatic stress or some form of shock.When i was first diognosed, i was told in no uncertain terms that i was suffering from a terminal cancer and that i would be dead within 6mnths,in some ways i am glad that i was told in the way i was,with my crying mother sitting beside me i became very angry and determined to beat it, i only had the one course of chemo [6 lots] dont know the type but i was allergic to maxalon and stemital,the main two anti neasea meds they had back then,so i was allways sick after chemo.
Anyway after the last chemo,the tumors dissappeared,the docs/proffs were so amazed that they wanted to operate to see where it had gone,about a month after chemo i agreed to surgery/lapendectomy, all they found was scarring where the mass of tumors had been.
I have had relapses since and am battling one at the moment,but im past worrying now,whatever will be,will be.
Best wishes to all,,Jim Atkins, Australia.
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JIMJIM

thearmenian53 · New User Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7

Hi,
My name is Armond Ohanian. I was diagnosed with Stage IIIB Hodgkin's Lymphoma when I was 18. Now I'm 19...CANCER FREE! The following is my testimony that I had written during chemo. I hope it will encourage you. You're not alone out there, stay strong...you've overcome something that defines something of you character...not a quitter! Please excuse the dates as I wrote them over a year ago.

As most of you know, on June 21st of this year I was diagnosed with Stage III Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, (cancer). The news came to me as a shock. It hit me hard when my mom was crying and told me that I had cancer. I found myself at a loss of words. The unthinkable had turned to reality.
I was at my friend’s house when my mom told me so I immediately left. I went home straight to the internet and began to read information and statistics on this particular disease. It said, “In 2005, approximately 7,350 new cases of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma will be diagnosed and 1,410 Americans will die from the disease.” I kept thinking to myself, “Will I be a part of that 1,410?” “Will I die?” In between all the confusion and nonstop negative thoughts that ran through my head, my brother called. He spoke in a clear and distinct tone, reassuring me that everything was gonna be okay. Most importantly, he told me that God was in control. That the existence of cancer in my body, the chance of survival, the “what if-s”, and all the negative ideas that follow cancer should NOT matter at all. He told me hey you’ve got Christ on your side, that’s ALL you need. At that point in time thoughts just kept racing in my head, but I had a sort of comfort that took over…the comfort that doesn’t come from man. The comfort, that doesn’t have a price tag on it. I had Christ. The Holy Spirit was present in me. The power of God embraced me and gave me comfort and assurance.
The following week or so was intense. We had to schedule appointments left and right and at the same time accept the fact that I had cancer. At the consultation with the oncologist, the doctor explained to me thoroughly about the disease and the treatment that he would like to use, which was A.B.V.D. Chemotherapy. To start the chemo I had to undergo a few tests to see the extent and severity of the disease, and also my body’s condition. I had to have a bone marrow biopsy to see if the disease had spread into the bone marrow and blood, an echocardiogram to see if my heart was okay, a P.E.T. scan to reveal the extent of the disease, and they had to surgically implant a porticath or catheter in my chest where I would receive the chemo. The prayers were ongoing. At the next doctor visit if I’m not mistaken was already the first answered prayer. The doctor told me that the echocardiogram turned out good and that my heart was ok, which was good. The P.E.T. scan was a bummer because it revealed that the disease was spread to both sides of my neck, both armpits, an 17-cm tumor in front of my heart, and a final tumor in my abdomen. Although it seemed as though it was a bummer, it wasn’t really. God knew about this and He had it all planned out. Next was the bone marrow biopsy, which was sent off to City of Hope, a cancer specialty center, so we had to wait for the results. God’s next answer to our prayer came at the next doctor visit. The doctor told me that the disease was NOT spread to the bone marrow, which made my chance of survival even greater. God was definitely working in my life. Although I didn’t know what his plan was for me, I knew that I was in His truly amazing care. I was constantly reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes we don’t know what His purpose is, but all we have to do is to simply trust in Him.
It was at that point that the doctor issued my treatment and told me that I was to undergo 6 months of chemo (once every two weeks) to thoroughly cure the disease. Well I have been through 4 treatments (2 months) going on to my fifth this Friday. The treatments surprisingly don’t affect me too much. Yes, at times there’s the occasional exhaustion that comes with it, but it’s all good. God’s been taking care of me immensely during this time. Yesterday I had to do a follow up P.E.T. scan to see if there was any progress. Just a few hours ago my oncologist called me to let me know the results. A little nervous at first he asked me, “Armond, are you ready for this?” I didn’t know whether it would be good or bad so I answered, “Yes” with a scared tone. He said, “Ok….Well….The cancer’s gone!” To my disbelief I asked him if he was serious and sure enough he was. Praise the Lord the cancer’s out, it’s gone, yet I’ll still be continuing the chemo for a few more months to fully rid my body of the remaining cells that might not be detected. I would like to thank you all for your constant prayer and support that you provide. I would appreciate if you would keep praying for me as I’ll have just a little bit more to go.
I would just like to encourage everyone to commit yourselves to the Lord for his love endures forever. These few verses have been an encouragement to me. I’m sure they will be of aid to you too. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillippians 4:4

Glory be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To update everyone on my journey with cancer: When I wrote my testimony above, I was only two months into the entire chemo process (August 30, 2005). Thanks to all of your prayers and God’s grace and mercy, I completed the treatment last Friday (December 9, 2005). I will undergo a few weeks of radiation therapy to cease the replication or presence of remaining cells that are undetected with scans. Lord-Willing this process will be as non-discomforting as the chemotherapy. God watched over me then and with faithful prayer I am confidant that He will do as He promised. (“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up… -James 5:15a)

In Christ,

Armond Ohanian
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"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." --Philippians 4:6-7

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