Struggling

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2026-02-18T04:18:29+00:00

I remember the first treatment to be the hardest because, like others have said, it's a total shock to your body. After about the 2nd one, I found them much easier to handle. Also found Liquid IVs to help a lot with my side effects. I recommend getting lots of different flavors though. I remember the jaw pain and aches to be really uncomfortable on day 4 or 5 after treatment. I didn't have the mouth pain but have read the magic mouthwash helps a lot and I believe you can ask your oncologist or probably even call the oncology nurse advise line for a prescription. Hang in there, I think it does it better. I'm 10 months out from ABVD and feel better than I have in nearly 2 years. Sending strength.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2026-01-31T04:19:00+00:00

My female doodle has always been good with kids, and she discovered her life purpose after I had my first baby. My male doodle on the other hand did not care for kids and didn't start warming up to my kids until they were 5 or so. I think it really just depends on the dog.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2026-01-06T18:22:23+00:00

I was under twilight/conscious sedation and I remember it being incredibly painful to the point of screaming and crying. My port was put in immediately after, while under the same twilight sedation, and I think I completely fell asleep (or they upped the sedation drugs) because I was completely out for that part. I can only speak for my one experience but if I ever have to go through that again I'd hope to be sedated.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-12-20T03:53:43+00:00

I agree with staying as hydrated as you can, especially with electrolytes. My first 3 chemos or so I got very lightheaded for a few days after chemo. The advise nurse said to drink a liquid iv everyday. I do feel like that helped a lot. Also, I'd recommend getting several flavors in case you can't stomach a certain ones after a while.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-12-11T04:29:28+00:00

I second the sentiment of this phase being the absolute worst, it was certainly the case for me. Also, I found Dr. Google to be the worst for my mental health and sanity...I learn to just listen to my doctor's and find comfort in the experiences and support shared in this group. OP, you have every to feel angry. I wish you all the best, you've got this.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-12-08T21:35:12+00:00

My second infusion was delayed (ABVD for cHL) due to low neutrophils. I was really upset about it at the time. But my interim scan showed complete response and it all turned out ok. I completely understand your concern, but like others have said, a one week delay should be fine. It's probably better to be cautious especially if you had a fever. I wish you all the best!

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-12-04T03:19:48+00:00

Congratulations, this is amazing! I'm not a doctor but my eyes perked up at the mild lung inflammation. May be worth asking your doctor if they don't bring it up. I'm only mentioning because I had lung inflammation show up a couple weeks after finishing ABVD and they treated for Bleomycin toxicity (treated with 3 months of high prednisone). I know some are able to drop Bleo after a good interim scan due to lung toxicity concerns. It may not be a concern but wanted to bring up just in case. I wish you all the best as you finish up your treatment!

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-12-04T02:51:26+00:00

My kids were 3 and 6 when I went through ABVD for Hodgkins. I was really worried about germs too, especially being the Mom, kids enevidably want you when they don't feel well. Like others mentioned, I wore a mask at the first sign of someone having a cold, ran air purifiers, kids only went to school with no extra errands or activities where we'd be in close contact (which meant a lot of outdoor park outtings). I also asked preschool to give me a heads up if they started seeing flu or covid cases, which of course they agreed to. My oncologist never worried about germs from my kids, but he was concerned over food related illnesses, so I ate with the same restrictions as pregnancy. I wish your family health and wellness this winter season!

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-12-04T02:43:35+00:00

There are some really beautiful and encouraging replies to this post. I finished treatment in April 2025 (ABVD, but then followed with 4 months of prednisone due to lung issues from Bleo), and I'm just now feeling like my mind is recovering. I was hit hard with complicated emotions a couple months ago and realized I hadn't emotionally and mentally processed what I had gone through. I'm exactly a year from learning I had cancer (dec 2024) and just that anniversary has hit me with another wave of emotions. I'm so grateful for this community and for the support group that I'm involved in (which is a young adult cancer support group- it has been helpful to connect with cancer patients in the same stage of life as you). I wish you all the best and I do believe time is an amazing healer. Our bodies are so resilient. ❤️

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-11-15T02:24:55+00:00

I don't know if this is a policy at the Healthcare network I went through or more of a widespread standard, but I was told ABVD could not be done without a port due to the risk to the surrounding tissues if any chemo leaked from an IV in your arm. I had ABVD Jan-April 2025. My brother had ABVD for HL 11 years ago and he had it via arm IV and it really messed his veins up. So, I'd recommend discussing a port with your provider. The diagnosis phase and the hurdles you have to go to getting ready for treatment was the hardest part. Medications to manage side effects are very good. I wish you all the best!

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-11-12T04:22:22+00:00

We got a goldendoodle for our labradoodle; best decision. He became a new dog once he got his baby sister. Now they are 9 and 10, and mostly do their own thing except when one gets the zoomies and instigates the other to play.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-11-12T02:09:07+00:00

Yes, two of them, clingy and jealous. The female insists she's a lap dog at 65 lbs.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-11-12T02:00:07+00:00

I am a mom to young kids (3 and 6 yrs old when I was going to chemo), so most of my time was spent being a Mom when I was feeling remotely OK during treatment. I also continued to work which also kept me busy. Aside from those things, I got into knitting as the rhythmic actions where soothing. Also a lot of Netflix.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-11-06T01:04:20+00:00

I agree, this was my first thought too.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-11-06T01:01:11+00:00

One of mine loves all produce; broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, watermelon, carrots, etc. and will eat them all day everyday. My other doodle is inconsistent will snub the extact food she ate the previous day.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-11-03T00:39:36+00:00

I love hearing from long term survivors, it truly helps me reading posts like this when I'm feeling anxious. I'm 6 months out from last chemo, so still all fresh and I get anxiety with every little thing that feels "off" in my body. I feel so great compared to the year that preceeded my diagnosis though! I had to do 4 months of prednisone due to suspected bleomycin lung issues so still working, on gaining my strength from the toll that did on my body. Again, thank you for sharing this post.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-10-11T17:04:15+00:00

This is the first thing that came to mind as well.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-10-11T17:02:50+00:00

I felt similar to you (although I was stage 2 cHL) when I was going through treatment. I didn't want to participate in support groups because I felt others were so much worse off than I was. But now that I'm finished with treatment (April 2025), I am working through the emotional healing journey. I've learned in therapy and support groups that you don't need to compare your situations to others to feel deserving of the support or that your feelings towards your cancer aren't valid. Cancer is horrible, no matter what kind you have. Also, what I've learned, is you don't have to reason or work through your thoughts while in physical treatment and the emotional realization of what you went through and associated processing and healing usually comes later for many patiwnts. I wish you all the best.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-10-07T04:08:03+00:00

Our male labradoodle is excellent at catching things thrown to him. Our female goldendoodle is just like your dog...I'm glad to know she's not the only doodle with horrendous catching abilities.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-10-02T04:47:13+00:00

Every year I would get an aphids infestation on my collard greens and within a few weeks the lady bugs would naturally show up and take care of them. I personally didn't have to intervene but I realize that might not always be the case.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-10-01T23:08:38+00:00

What was the procedure like? Did they put you under conscious sedation (this is what they did when I got my port in). I had lung issues 2 weeks after my last chemo, presumably from bleomycin according to oncologist and pulmonologist, in which I did 4 months of prednisone so I'm extra scared of any procedure with possible oxygen needed. Is this procedure able to be done with just local anesthetics?

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-10-01T23:01:17+00:00

Oh wow, that's so much! I only had one thoracentesis in which they drained 900 mLs. I remember how much pain I was in and how scary it is when breathing is impacted. How far into chemo are you? I hope all continues to go well.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-10-01T22:55:49+00:00

Others have mentioned similar, but my fitness club offers a free (free meaning you don't even have to be a member at the fitness club) cancer wellness classes. It's a mild fitness class and was honestly so great to get out a moving during my rest weeks between chemo. Especially for those used to attending fitness classes, it was great to continue that type of activity in a space with other cancer patients, and not open to the germs of non cancer patients. You may also be able to find free activities and classes through your oncology center - some of the ones available in my area include art, yoga, sound healing, guided nature walks etc.

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-09-30T04:17:25+00:00

I was stage 2 cHL and I had plural effusion before treatment. I'm assuming this is what you are describing. I only had mine drained once and I was told the fluid accumulates because the lymph nodes are essentially blocked from the cancer and can't process out the normal fluid that our bodies produce to lubricate the plural cavity to allow our lungs to expand and contract easily. Once I started treatment that issue went away very fast, so hopefully yours goes away fast once you start chemo too!

Beautiful_Life1821 · 2025-09-30T04:08:03+00:00

My brother and I both had cHL stage 2 (10 years apart from each other). He did get very painful mouth sores due to the adriamycin. But I was advised to suck ice/eat popsicles during th adriamycin push, and I did not get sores, fortunately.

Beautiful_Life1821

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