What I know so far:
I did it.
I have finished 12 rounds of ABVD chemotherapy. It feels pretty awesome. I mean, I feel terrible, but an awesome terrible.
I have never been so excited to feel so bad.
In a few days I will begin the healing process. The drugs will finish and run their course. My body will begin to bounce back. My hair will get long, although I still have a lot of hair. So I got that going for me.
I do not expect things to get back to normal very quickly.
Let's be real. Normal has a new definition now. Regardless, normal will be nice.
My lungs have a way to go. The Bleomycin has done a number on them. I am winded very easily. My chest is extremely tight, and even on good days, it hurts. Often I have to take forced deep breaths. They are tight as well.
I am not sure when I can jog like a normal person. I am just working on chasing the boys around the house without getting exhausted. Baby steps I guess.
The pain in my feet and fingers have continued through all of this. The magnesium pills help, but not enough. Well... enough for now. Baby steps.
The port in my chest always itches. It irritates the nerves around it and hurts. It protrudes A LOT out of my chest. The needle in my jugular becomes irritated when I attempt to have full range of motion with my neck. That tends to send a sharp pain down my right side. And triggers my anxiety.
I cannot wait to have the port removed.
I cannot have the port removed for at least 6 more months. More realistically though, in about a year after treatment. Just in case.
Until then, I will need to go in and have the port accessed and flushed monthly.
I will also need to continue to get my blood tested. I am still anemic. I will need to get my blood tested regularly until it is stable, then of course periodically to ensure that it stays that way.
My PET CT scan will be on July 23rd. Apparently to let the drugs run their course. And to make the insurance company happy. I should have those results the following day.
That day seems ages from now, but I have become use to waiting. Plus, now, it should be a little easier to handle.
Yes, the chemo is over. No, it is not ALL over.
I began this story indicating my purpose for documenting this process.
"This is probably more for me than for anyone else. But that's okay. I want to talk about it. I want to share the voice and the experience. I want you to know so you are okay and understand. I want to share because I want to be okay and understand."
I feel better through it all. I hope you have too. I hope this has helped comfort, or just inform and maybe spread awareness. Or maybe it just entertained you. That works too.
As of today, this site has received over 3,000 page views, and reached people from 10 different countries.
That's pretty awesome.
I really do just hope that it has helped.
Look, if you, a family member, or a friend has Hodgkin's (or any cancer), I'm sorry. That really sucks. But it's going to be okay. You can do it. You have to do it.
Cancer is really scary. Like, really scary. But it is not a death sentence. Just really scary.
Stay strong. Rely on family and friends. Become comfortable with yourself. And kick ass.
You might not know it yet, but you are extremely tough and have a lot of fight in you. You can do this. You are #StrongerThanCancer, because I am.
Through this process I was reminded of a quote from a very forgettable movie, that I thoroughly enjoy, The Replacements. I feel like it sums up the whole fight and mind set that is necessary pretty well.
"I know you're tired. And I know you're hurting. And I wish I could say something classy and inspirational, but that just wouldn't be our style. Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever."
Beat cancer. That's pretty glorious.
Thank you to everyone who has given warm thoughts, prayers and support. Thank you to all those who have donated to aide during this trying time. My family and I really do appreciate it. We have truly felt loved during this time. And that love goes a long way. Thank you for helping me get better.
Thanks to you, God, and Dr. Spivey.
Chris
I did it.
I have finished 12 rounds of ABVD chemotherapy. It feels pretty awesome. I mean, I feel terrible, but an awesome terrible.
I have never been so excited to feel so bad.
In a few days I will begin the healing process. The drugs will finish and run their course. My body will begin to bounce back. My hair will get long, although I still have a lot of hair. So I got that going for me.
I do not expect things to get back to normal very quickly.
Let's be real. Normal has a new definition now. Regardless, normal will be nice.
My lungs have a way to go. The Bleomycin has done a number on them. I am winded very easily. My chest is extremely tight, and even on good days, it hurts. Often I have to take forced deep breaths. They are tight as well.
I am not sure when I can jog like a normal person. I am just working on chasing the boys around the house without getting exhausted. Baby steps I guess.
The pain in my feet and fingers have continued through all of this. The magnesium pills help, but not enough. Well... enough for now. Baby steps.
The port in my chest always itches. It irritates the nerves around it and hurts. It protrudes A LOT out of my chest. The needle in my jugular becomes irritated when I attempt to have full range of motion with my neck. That tends to send a sharp pain down my right side. And triggers my anxiety.
I cannot wait to have the port removed.
I cannot have the port removed for at least 6 more months. More realistically though, in about a year after treatment. Just in case.
Until then, I will need to go in and have the port accessed and flushed monthly.
I will also need to continue to get my blood tested. I am still anemic. I will need to get my blood tested regularly until it is stable, then of course periodically to ensure that it stays that way.
My PET CT scan will be on July 23rd. Apparently to let the drugs run their course. And to make the insurance company happy. I should have those results the following day.
That day seems ages from now, but I have become use to waiting. Plus, now, it should be a little easier to handle.
Yes, the chemo is over. No, it is not ALL over.
I began this story indicating my purpose for documenting this process.
"This is probably more for me than for anyone else. But that's okay. I want to talk about it. I want to share the voice and the experience. I want you to know so you are okay and understand. I want to share because I want to be okay and understand."
I feel better through it all. I hope you have too. I hope this has helped comfort, or just inform and maybe spread awareness. Or maybe it just entertained you. That works too.
As of today, this site has received over 3,000 page views, and reached people from 10 different countries.
That's pretty awesome.
I really do just hope that it has helped.
Look, if you, a family member, or a friend has Hodgkin's (or any cancer), I'm sorry. That really sucks. But it's going to be okay. You can do it. You have to do it.
Cancer is really scary. Like, really scary. But it is not a death sentence. Just really scary.
Stay strong. Rely on family and friends. Become comfortable with yourself. And kick ass.
You might not know it yet, but you are extremely tough and have a lot of fight in you. You can do this. You are #StrongerThanCancer, because I am.
Through this process I was reminded of a quote from a very forgettable movie, that I thoroughly enjoy, The Replacements. I feel like it sums up the whole fight and mind set that is necessary pretty well.
"I know you're tired. And I know you're hurting. And I wish I could say something classy and inspirational, but that just wouldn't be our style. Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever."
Beat cancer. That's pretty glorious.
Thank you to everyone who has given warm thoughts, prayers and support. Thank you to all those who have donated to aide during this trying time. My family and I really do appreciate it. We have truly felt loved during this time. And that love goes a long way. Thank you for helping me get better.
Thanks to you, God, and Dr. Spivey.
Chris
Brings tears to my eyes. Sending love to you and your family.
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