some more info
As I've talked to people, more questions come up, so I thought I'd answer some of them here.
1) How long has the chest mass been there? And how does it fit?
The doc said there's no way to know for sure, but he'd guess about a year. It doesn't really "fit"... it's encroaching on the left lung's territory. This means I can't take in as much air as before, but probably not enough of a difference to notice (which I haven't).
2) Were there other symptoms before that you didn't notice or thought were nothing?
Usually with Hodgkin's, the person discovers it by chance with the lump on the neck (with guys, usually while shaving, as I did).
3) What happens if the chemo doesn't work?
Well, as I mentioned below, there is stronger chemo they can use if the regular regimen doesn't take. Failing that, a bone marrow transplant (stem cell transplant) would be in order, either from myself if possible, or from a donor. But don't get your knickers all in a twist yet; remember, that's only if the first round of chemo (6-8 months) doesn't do the job, which it usually does.
4) The chemo will affect your immune system, right?
Yeah, I have to be more careful about being around people with disease, especially as we're heading into winter. I've always washed my hands fairly regularly (earning mockery amongst my greasy unwashed male friends in college), so that shouldn't be a problem. The nurse also recommended I use hand sanitizer (e.g. Purell) for times when I don't have access to soap & water. But I'll have to make a concerted effort to stop chewing on my fingers. That will be hard, as I usually don't realize I'm doing it. And while we're on the topic of the immune system, I received one of the rare and precious flu shots yesterday.
Just FYI, if you're coming into this blog late or want to refer back to the beginning of this adventure, click on "November 2004" in the Archive section of the gray column at the right.
5 Comments:
I wish you all kinds of luck with your coming therapy, Bryan. Don't let anyone dissuade you from your positive attitude. That's an important part of getting through all of this. I'll keep you in my prayers.
Well, looks like all that SCRUBBIN' 'TIL YA BLEED will come in handy after all these years. But grrrrrrunt, your immune system would be impregnable if you'd survived on a steady diet of Foot Mix and inhaled nothing but Mount Kleenex vapors for the last three years, so don't come cryin' ta me, ya sissy. :-|
-Justin Esarey
~: MUH! I ONLY had ONE handful of the Foot Mix, then I threw it away.
e: Gah, but that would be the one handful that had the most contact with your feet.
Now now Justin, let's not misrepresent: Mount Kleenex wasn't really a giant pile of used tissues, as much as it was a giant pyramid of empty tissue boxes stuffed with used tissues, creating a monument that would put Giza to shame.
But in Nick's defense, it was a rather long way to the dumpster when we lived in Anderson, even with my universal PED from RCC.
Hi Bryan-
I've had Hodgkin's as well, including ABVD. It sucks you have to go through that- so I will send good thoughts your way. You might want to check out the Hodgkin's List Serve, it has some pretty useful info on how to handle chemo and all that stuff. OK- back to your blog!
Pamela
http://www.onewahine.blogspot.com/
Great idea! I googled for "hodgkin's listserv" and found several; the one I subscribed to is the ACOR one (Association of Cancer Online Resources).
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