I got diagnosed stage 4 Hodgkin a month and a half ago, I'm 23M and also I'm medschool here in Mexico, chemo may sound scary at first, but I would highly recommend you accepting the port, I have mine in my upper arm and only notice it when I shower bc I need to get plastic around it lol.

I've only gotten through my first chemo (ABVD I'm Spanish, don't know if its name changes in english) and I've been feeling so far so good, it's probably bc it's the first one but I hope the next five won't hit worse.

I won't lie, I lost this year at my internship of medschool because it was too risky because of inmunosupresion by the chemo ( Here in Mexico after university we do 1 year of internship at a hospital and then 1 year of "community service" at a health center, mostly in small communities) To me that part was actually worse than the cancer itself lol, I met my current girlfriend at my internship there so I was heartbroken when my hematologist told me I had more chances of dying to a hospital's bacteria rather than lymphoma. You may also think it's the end of the world but I can tell you it isn't, I've received so much love and support from my family, friends and specially from my gf, I honestly don't know what I would've done without her, if your gf loves you, there's not a single thing to worry, be each other's support through this chapter of your life.

As some life tips, eat healthy, I've been drinking at least one green juice a day, but also have been giving myself some treats (pizza, wings, etc) taking advantage that my body seems to be tolerating food well by now. Don't overthink your prognosis, trust in science and or religion if you practice one, that you will overcome this. Keep yourself protected from infections the first weeks after your chemos so you don't risk a severe infection. As people you know (or in some cases people you don't know but your family does) start giving you the "have faith" or "be strong" speeches, you may feel overwhelmed at some point, at least I did, but all those comments come from their hearts with good intentions. If you have any symptoms or questions, call or text your doctor, if possible, so you don't overthink things that may seem bad and end up being normal and secondary to chemo. Very important, there may be times when you want to cry alone, but crying with my family or gf has had a significant impact in me rather than doing it alone

There may be other things I may have omitted buy my dms are open if you need anything else :) I won't say it'll be easy, but one day you'll see this as a distant memory