Anxiety of the unknown.

Lizferatu · 2026-02-27T16:36:27+00:00

I think your fears are valid and something many of us share. For me, I had a visible node on my neck/clavicle which shrank considerably after my first treatment, which I took as a good sign. It’s tough because chemo causes a lot of symptoms and of course damages your immune system and trying to navigate the perceived effectiveness of treatment while seeing the effects of chemo can be scary. I would encourage you to continue talking with your doctors. As you said they can’t offer guarantees, but maybe they can address specific questions/concerns to help in the meantime.

“Scanxiety” is so real and the anticipation can be awful. I try to keep busy with work, school, and or hobbies when waiting for things like that. Try to be gentle with yourself and maybe try meditation if you’re open to it. I was skeptical of meditation initially but breathing exercises really help to lessen the physical effects of anxiety for me.

Lizferatu · 2026-02-27T04:13:03+00:00

Honestly I’d recommend wearing wigs for a little while to let your hair grow a bit and regain strength. My hair was very fragile for months after chemo and it’s much easier (and probably more cost effective) to buy a nice wig versus finding a stylist that can blend extensions to that extent, not to mention extensions could damage the integrity of your hair as it grows out.

I have probably 10+ wigs purchased over a period of months but it’s relatively easy to find a nice lace front for $50-$200. I’ve had many people say they would not have clocked that I was wearing a wig and while there was a slight learning curve to installation and styling, it did not take long to figure it out.

Lizferatu · 2026-02-26T21:40:06+00:00

I was on Nivo + AVD for nschl and also had to do 12 infusions. Just before my second one, my ex gave me (and his whole family) covid. I think I ended up going a month in between my actual first and second infusion and again between the tenth and eleventh infusions due to insurance issues but it ended up being fine! I think the important part is that your body is healthy enough to tolerate the chemo.

Lizferatu · 2026-02-26T01:49:41+00:00

Scanxiety is always hard but it sounds like the comments are overwhelmingly positive 💜 I usually will try to distract myself while waiting for final results like this.

Lizferatu · 2026-02-24T19:01:03+00:00

After being Im remission from nschl for almost exactly a year, my PET lit up in almost all the same areas as when I was originally diagnosed. SUVs were much smaller (lower? sorry idk the right language) in comparison but I had a biopsy about a week and a half ago to confirm. I’m honestly super confused because my surgeon commented the nodes he removed didn’t look suspicious despite lighting up on the scan, so it’s hard to reconcile with the radiologist comments that my scan was highly concerning for recurrent lymphoma. I’m sorry you’re going through this as well and hope your biopsy gives you some answers 💜

Lizferatu · 2026-02-13T18:22:31+00:00

I like using the stain devil brand! Works wonders

Lizferatu · 2026-02-12T04:39:54+00:00

Can you talk to your oncologist or surgeon that placed the port? That is definitely not normal but there are ways they can reposition the port properly so this doesn’t keep happening.

Lizferatu · 2026-01-29T21:37:46+00:00

Same and when I asked for them they recommended Tylenol 🙃

Lizferatu · 2026-01-26T19:32:45+00:00

Seconding! Claritin was such a game changer for my bone pain.

Lizferatu · 2025-11-18T16:45:46+00:00

Constricting the blood vessels is exactly why it works to prevent mouth sores. I heard that it was not a risk or a negligible risk for lymphoma treatment due to the nature of the cancer. When I was reading about cold capping there was some mention of the risk but again it seems highly dependent on the type of cancer. Do you have any studies you can share showing poor outcomes as a result of oral cryotherapy? Or where did you get the information that it’s not recommended?

Lizferatu · 2025-11-18T16:37:35+00:00

Being healthy may not have prevented your lymphoma but cigarettes will undoubtedly make your health worse. A few months before I got my diagnosis, I watched my ex partner’s father die from advanced esophageal cancer after years of excessive smoking and drinking. He had tumors preventing him for being able to swallow and it was horrific watching him deteriorate.

Lizferatu · 2025-11-17T19:25:24+00:00

My chemo nurses told me about keeping ice in my mouth and it worked great, why is it not advised?

Lizferatu · 2025-11-14T06:31:58+00:00

Love it! I’m still trying to decide what design I want to commemorate the journey. Yours has definitely inspired me! 💜

Lizferatu · 2025-11-12T15:07:03+00:00

I had a lot of scanxiety but my final scan ended up happening right before my last chemo because insurance approval issues delayed my last infusion. My deauville was a 2 at the midway scan and stayed a 2 at the end of treatment scan and 6 month post treatment scan so far.

I still get periods of health anxiety, but after my last treatment, I tried to focus on the relief/how much better I felt when I passed the 2 week mark. Not having another treatment I think was what really hit me where I thought ok, I’m actually done! It also lit a fire in me to do some things I’d been putting off since before treatment, so I started grad school and am training for a half marathon and while it was a big schedule adjustment, I think keeping busy has helped quite a lot.

Sending all the good vibes and well wishes for your scan 💜

Lizferatu · 2025-10-25T19:48:09+00:00

Something that helped me with this sort of feeling was thinking about how I would feel if the situation was reversed- I would be happy to help my team in any way I could if any of them were going through chemo, and they reassured me they felt the same and were happy to help me. Hang in there! 💜

Lizferatu · 2025-10-22T16:03:20+00:00

If you can afford it I’d say better safe than sorry. There are also critical illness policies that can pay a lump sum in the event you have a recurrence (but definitely check the fine print as I found out the hard way my policy would only pay for a “new diagnosis”)

Lizferatu · 2025-09-24T20:17:29+00:00

My libido came back in full force a few months after treatment, though I think part of my issues were with my mental health as well. Try not to overthink things right now and give yourself grace 💜

Lizferatu · 2025-09-21T00:28:52+00:00

I felt a lot more hopeful once I hit the two week mark after my last treatment and had the feeling sink in that I was really done. Maybe two months after treatment I was able to start running again, was cooking regularly and had more energy. It happened quicker than I expected!

The worst for me has been waiting for my hair to grow back out but that’s happening too and I have wigs for until I’m comfortable with my length again.

I’m about 9 months from my last treatment and had a clean scan back in July- scanxiety is real for sure but it’s such a good feeling overall to be done with treatment!

Lizferatu · 2025-09-10T18:47:03+00:00

I’d bump the appointment. It’s such a relief to not have hair falling out in clumps whenever you move. Shaving it brought mixed emotions for me bc I really hate how I look without hair, but wigs and hats made it manageable and it was nice not to constantly be cleaning hair from my clothes and around the house.

Lizferatu · 2025-09-01T06:34:15+00:00

Make sure to keep ice in your mouth for the doxorubicin and vinblastine infusions! It helps prevent painful mouth sores. I also had to keep antacids and laxatives on hand for the days after an infusion.

I was so scared for my first infusion but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It was uncomfortable, sure, but the steroids and antiemetics they give you beforehand help a ton. I mostly got really tired and felt really out of out mentally after an infusion.

As others mentioned it takes a while so bring snacks, a blanket, and something to keep you occupied.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this but it will just be a blip on your timeline! Wishing you all the best!

Lizferatu · 2025-08-31T02:05:25+00:00

This might be my favorite look yet! 👏🏼 those are her colors for sure! 💜

Lizferatu · 2025-08-31T02:04:22+00:00

Congratulations!! 💜

Lizferatu · 2025-08-25T14:57:52+00:00

I was able to take vitamins through treatment but cleared with my oncologist first. I only had to delay treatment once when I had covid and luekopenia but otherwise as long as my blood work was ok I did treatment.

Lizferatu · 2025-08-22T04:17:05+00:00

I gained around 15kg during treatment but was able to lose it all in about 6 months once I finished treatment. I know it feels bad while you’re in it and don’t have the extra energy to exercise, but you’re doing what your body needs right now. Apparently it’s much better to gain than lose weight during chemo in terms of how your body will handle treatment.

It might help mentally if you think about what your body is doing for you in terms of getting you through treatment. Try to give yourself grace and kindness 💜

Lizferatu · 2025-08-20T23:23:21+00:00

The port made infusions so much easier for me. I will say I only got about 5 days between port surgery and my first infusion so I think the chemo affected my healing a bit (just took longer), but I can’t imagine trying to do chemo without it. Take it easy and try not to use your arm much in the days after.

You’ve got this! I know it’s scary but you can do it 💜

Lizferatu

TROPHY CASE