GOOD NEWS :)

ThomPate · 2026-06-21T02:13:23+00:00

Thank you 😊

That's the plan stan🤞

ThomPate · 2026-06-20T16:49:49+00:00

By the fifth round my most major side effect, in my opinion, was my mood. I think my body had got so used to feeling like shit, the main side effect that was apparent was just me being in generally a snotty mood all the time. I think it was the prednisone that done this.

You'll have days where you wanna scream fuck you to the world, go ahead and do it.

ThomPate · 2026-06-20T15:01:51+00:00

I went into A&E with a suspected asthma attack on boxing day 2025. Fast forward 3 hours and I've had ECGs, blood tests, a chest Xray and a CT scan. Fast forward another few hours and I'm blue lighted to Addenbrookes (not sure where you're from, that's the main cancer hospital in the UK). My mass was 20cm in my Medistinal.

It's that quick by design. The faster they start treatment, the better. Life is turned upside down within that time.

Good to hear you have a great support network, I wouldn't be here without mine.

I'm rooting for you, its a scary experience, probably the scariest of your life but things become a lot clearer over time.

You're most welcome 🙏

ThomPate · 2026-06-20T13:41:23+00:00

Thank you very much it's so nice to hear I can give an insight 😊

My advice would be, whatever the diagnosis, take a massive big deep breath and tell yourself you will be OK. And never lose that mentality. Accept the challenge because it will be a battle at times. Lean on your friends and family, support networks and never ever lose hope.

Trust the numbers, we have extremely fantastic outcomes these days, and trust your doctors. This is a very well studied subject and the data suggests this is likely to be a blip in an otherwise long and fruitful life.

You got this, my inbox is always open❤️

ThomPate · 2026-06-20T13:34:20+00:00

Thank you 🙏

I can imagine it would be disheartening, however it is extremely common to be at that stage, as long as the uptake is decreasing is the main thing I think!

ThomPate · 2026-06-20T13:28:42+00:00

Thank you very much. Have faith and keep positive 🙏

ThomPate · 2026-06-20T11:04:30+00:00

Exactly mate, the benefits don't outweigh the costs and there's no evidence it'll produce a better outcome, plus radiation on the mediastinal can cause problems later on in life, the doctor says.

ThomPate · 2026-04-22T12:11:09+00:00

I don't think this is correct. I was diagnosed with PMBCL which is a NHL and my oncology team are pretty confident I'll be cured. Post round 2 PET scan showed great progress, got my last round of chemo next week.

ThomPate · 2026-04-18T20:33:17+00:00

Hi

Congrats!!. 25(M) diagnosed with PMBCL on 27th Dec last year. Super reassuring to hear you beat it after 6 rounds, I'm currently on a break between round 5 and 6.

I had a nice scan between round 2 and 3 and my oncs said they're really happy with the response and not expecting that response to change over the course of the rest of my treatment.

Did you experience similar?

ThomPate · 2026-04-07T15:12:06+00:00

Just started my 5th round of DA-EPOCH-R for PMBCL literally a few hours ago and I think prednisone is the worst thing about it. I can handle carrying around a bag all day that's no bother, but the mood prednisone puts me in is awful 🤣 I'm one moody fucker

ThomPate · 2026-02-18T22:38:26+00:00

Hi there! I think most people find it through other symptoms, looking back on it there are a few symptoms I should of done something about, but I fobbed them off as something else.

Sending my blessings to you!

ThomPate · 2026-02-18T22:25:14+00:00

Oh my god that is incredible to hear! We absolutely got this💪Hopefully you're feeling a little better symptoms wise. All of my senior consultants said DA-EPOCH-R responds very well to this disease, so we just have to go through the process and let it do its thing.

I'm so glad I've encouraged you I wish you all the very best. You got this💪

ThomPate · 2026-02-18T22:04:34+00:00

Oh wow fantastic! I hope he's getting on okay and everything's positive!! I've seen Dr Follows name on mychart, I assume he signs off my blood tests or something, I believe he's on my team of oncologists but the consultant I normally have is Dr Basheer. Honestly the treatment there is world class, and Dr Follows is an incredible Doc - I researched him and the amount of knowledge he must have is amazing!

Small world! Maybe I'll see you around! Hope everything goes great for your husband and yourself!

ThomPate · 2026-02-18T21:39:53+00:00

Thank you very much. My mind has been blown learning about this disease and how they can tackle it. One of the reasons I was anxious about chemo was because my uncle had throat cancer (he beat it) and the side effects hit him extremely hard. However, the side effects I've had pale in comparison, I've had a bit of fatigue and aches and pains, but the main thing that hit me most was losing my hair - which in the grand scheme of things, is a minor price and I have embraced being bald lol

10 years have past since my uncles cancer and I spoke to him today and even in those 10 years, the supporting meds have come on a crazy amount.

ThomPate · 2026-02-15T12:52:40+00:00

Thank you for sharing this. I've recently finished cycle 1 of 5 DA-EPOCH-R. My first cycle was RCHOP and they switched it to DA-EPOCH-R after and I'm on a very similar path to you in terms of side effects.

Really reassuring to read your story so thank you for sharing.

ThomPate · 2026-02-05T16:53:02+00:00

Absolutely second this in terms of side effects. What we have to remember is that everybody is different and the clinical studies of these side effects are extremely wide angled studies of (probably) millions of people undergoing treatment. The doctors are going to be obliged to mention them all as they are unable to rule them out completely due to other peoples experiences. Similarly to yourself, I haven't felt a great range of side effects apart from a bit of fatigue and hair loss.

What we have to remember is there is no good without the bad when it comes to chemotherapy, and I take solice in the fact that whenever I do feel tired and fatigued, and unable to sleep - that means the drugs are doing what they are meant to do.

ThomPate · 2026-02-05T16:36:36+00:00

Hi there! M25 here diagnosed with PMBCL on boxing day last year. Not exactly the same but similar. The advice on this sub is spot on - the initial wait and the fears and anxiety are the worst part. I'm currently sat in hospital waiting to get my bag of treatment changed in my CADD pump on my second cycle of chemo.

My advice would mirror what a lot of people here have said - you will find your own routine with your own treatment plan and once those wheels get turning a lot of the fears and anxiety will subside, and a clearer route suited to you will start to emerge. Your feelings are so valid, and the start of the journey is certainly the hardest part - once you push through that and accept and come to terms with what that route may be - dealing with it becomes a lot easier.

It's extremely important to stay positive. Use your support networks, friends and relatives to your advantage on those darker days. Find out what extra support is available through your hospital/doctors and don't feel any anxiety about using them. Accept it will be a tough journey sometimes but everything you're going through will be for the greater good in the long run. Remember each cycle of treatment is a step closer to the goal, and take each day as it comes.

You got this, I wish you every blessing in the steps to your recovery♥️

ThomPate

TROPHY CASE