Hello all. I thought I'd make a post to see if any posters here have had any experience with this issue. My fiance recently noticed some swelling in her arm and numbness. We went to the doctor. They suspected a blood clot, so they sent us to the emergency room. She eventually received a CT scan, and they discover about a 4x4 inch mass inside her chest. It's in between her lungs right under her sternum. It likely originated from her thymus gland. We were transferred four hours away to an advanced hospital in San Jose, CA. We have been here for almost two weeks getting various lab tests, blood thinners, etc. She does have blot clots all the way up her right arm and in her neck chest area. But they finally diagnosed the mass and it turns out she has Hodgkin's Lymphoma (a form of cancer). We aren't sure what stage yet. She has been poked and prodded like crazy, and now she has a pick line installed that will remain throughout the treatment.

She is being scheduled for six months of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiation therapy. She is only 33 years old, very healthy, cooks all her own food, and just an overall amazing and cheerful person. We have been told that Hodgkin's Lymphoma is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, and her long term prognosis actually looks pretty good, but one never knows. Either way, it's going to be a very long seven months. We are also very concerned about her becoming infertile, as we were hoping to start a family soon. Tough times.

So my question is, does anyone have experience with Hodgkin's Lymphoma? How did the treatment go and how is the affected person now? Any advice you could offer would be very much appreciated, because we have absolutely no idea what to expect yet. She starts her first dose of chemo tomorrow.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you!!

The only experience I know about Hodgkins is Mario LeMieux. Read his story if you haven't. I think Troy might be the best to offer up advice on this subject.

I wish for this be swift and painfree for you and your family.

---

I don't know much about Hodgkin's Lymphoma but if it were me.

I would do this:

- Start by removing all stressors to the body as far food toxins
- Look into gerson therapy and buy a few books
Main premise revolves around juicing/enemas/and other supplements - I would at least look into juicing and some of the supplements.
- Iodine - in the past Iodine was used to kill cancer - lugals solution is a great way to take it. (make sure not allergic too)
- wahls protocol for curing MS - has a lot of great suggestions as far as ways of eating.
- cruciform veggies are good for anti cancer - ie kale, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage etc ...

There are a lot of different diets out there that promote healing - many suggest to cut out certain types of food because it is suggested they are harmful - grains, nightshades and of course all processed and sugars.

GL

Sorry to here this Dodd. I have no experience other than I too heard they are pretty successful in treating which is encouraging. but if I were you/her I wouldn't want to just be a number.

Keep us informed as to her progress.

God bless you both.

Here is to a house full of little dodds pattering around.

---

Well Dodd, I'm very sorry to hear this. There's no nice way to say cancer sucks, in any form. My daughter had a cancerous brain tumor. They removed the tumor, she then did 7 weeks of extensive radiation on her head and spine, and then when we finally got her home from Mayo - we began a regiment of 10 rounds of chemo, which took a year.

This process of chemo and radiation will change your lives, but through it all you become closer and stronger. I'm told cancer treatment is harder on adults than children, so if I were you guys, I'd really look into the medical marijuana for some pain relief.

I don't know much about Hodgkins, but chemo and radiation really don't vary much. Your fiance' is going to be weaker physically and probably going to lose her hair. Mostly though, she's going to really need you.

Good luck and PM me anything you want to talk about. Go look up some of those old Mia threads if you like.

Again, sorry man - luckily you found it early which is most important with the treatment.

---

Dodd, I'm so sorry to hear this. The "c" word is always scary. Please give my best to her and let her know Cheesey will be praying for her. (And you).

---

I am very sorry to hear that she is having to go through all this. We will keep her in our prayers. I don't have any expiriance dealing with Hodgekins.

---

Best wishes to you and your fiance Dodd.
And good Luck.

Oh my gosh - you two hold on tight to each other, accept help when offered, & be ready for anything. You mmight want to ask about harvesting some of her eggs if you're really concerned about future doddles. They can freeze them & she could have IVF later on. You're in my prayers.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments. Needless to say, it's already been tough. There are simply too many errands and responsibilities for me to mostly do on my own while working a demanding full time job. I very rarely only work 40 hours a week. We did receive some good news that the cancer is only Stage 1B. That's the lowest stage and the "B" just means there has been some fever and weight loss, which is worse than a designation of "A," but still not a huge deal. It's still a very big tumor in a very bad spot, but at least it hasn't spread.

She has had one dose of chemotherapy. Only 11 more to go over the next 6 months, and then 5 weeks of radiation. No doubt this means a life change, at least during the treatment. Hopefully we can make it through it without losing our minds.

There's nothing "fair" about life, that's for sure. Just have to take the punched in stride and fight through it.