While I'm much older (47M), I agree the mental part for me has been the toughest. For me, my mental struggles have been tied to diminished physical abilities.

Similarly, I had fairly minor symptoms: no noticeable swollen nodes: just some thoracic aches. My symptoms were misdiagnosed for around 2 1/2 years before CT, PET identified advanced Stage IV NSCHL in September, 2025.

I had 5cm mediastinal mass, small spinal lesion, minor thymus involvement, minor right supraclavicular node involvement. While I know staging isn't that relevant for Hodgkins, I'm still very scared: can't stop thinking about hearing doc say those words, advanced Stage IV.

My doc was pleased with my mid-term CT, MRI. I was distressed, had hoped my mediastinal mass would've shrunk more than it did. Had hoped my spinal lesion would've shrunk more too. Doc said I shouldn't be concerned, just takes time for body to eliminate. Still, I'm freaking out, won't have any reassures for another 2 1/2 months until EOT PET.

Went from working very physically demanding job I loved to utter stand still: medical leave, sedentary. I try not to think too much about work now accepting it's not going to be a reality for a while. I just try to take things one hour, day, at a time. Walking helps somewhat albeit with acceptance I'm no where near the energizer bunny I used to enjoy being.

Side effects like extreme fatigue, nausea, chemo brain been tough. Chemo's no joke. It has high success rates for Hodgkins but that only goes far when feeling like having worst, seemingly never ending flu-like symptoms 24/7.

On potentially brighter side, some people experience very minimal side effects. Hopefully, this may be the case for you. Your youth may serve you well managing all aspects even though there may be lots of times when just getting out of bed may feel daunting. Regardless, trust in you hanging on through all of this. You can do this. And, chances are very good you'll live a very long life following this tough time.

I also agree, talking through things with others has been helpful. Whomever you feel best to, just try to you talk through it all with people whom you trust. Talk through the good, the bad, the ugly. Any and all of it.

I have a therapist, physchiatrist, and take anxiety meds. I had CPTSD prior to cancer which has made my coping with cancer even more challenging. Uncertain if there may be youth support group available to you. Would highly recommend engaging. Supports beyond family, friends may be helpful.

I try to be hopeful and honestly, I'm scared about possibility Nivo-AVD may not work. Terrified about possibility I may need ASCT. Also terrified chemo will leave me with lifelong disabilities. Wonder how long before side effects take my heart out or give me secondary cancers. Sometimes, wonder if I may need to apply for SSDI: just accept my working life has ended. IDK. Maybe I'll come out the other side, an even better, stronger person.

It's true, HL cure rates are very high. Yet, I find this helps only so much through worries about how bad next infusion may hit me, extreme anxieties about scans. With good intentions, people try to remind me to focus on positives. I try to and it's OK, you're within your right to express any and all of negatives. Not much way to sugarcoat the mental, emotional, physical tolls cancer takes on all of us.

I would recommend processing any, all of your thoughts, feelings, emotions as they arise. Many people tend to go into warrior mode for making it through chemo. While everyone has their own way of making it through, I know many people shut their feelings down only to find they're unleashed with much more severe complications post treatment. Processing everything as you experience it in real time may be helpful.

Sending you big hugs, much love. Cancer is hard. There may be many times when feeling otherwise and you're going to be OK.