Can a hodgkins lymphoma survivor go to his college?

@darshsingh1! Your attitude and determination to push through the treatments for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, all the while still pursuing your university degree is exemplary! You’re amazing, truly!
I hope all continues to go well so that you’re able to stop the chemo and get on with life! With that full schedule I’m sure there’s been precious little time for you to actually rest and recoup. So I’m glad to read that’s your next step…working on yourself. Recovery and survivorship!
Your hair will grow back along with your health and stamina! You can be very proud of yourself for how you’ve handled this situation. Your spirit of endurance is evident and you’ll do well as a lawyer! Good luck with the end of semester exam! ☺️

Please post an update for me, ok?

Heri lori , how you doing ? So the doctor has advised to complete the cycle that kinda made me feel bad as its a task to go through a chemo therapy session i have 5 rounds of more chemo therapy remaing plus the PET scan report has said no sign of disease anymore . So i am happy about it tooo

Hi @darshsingh1 Well, that’s really super news that your PET scan shows no sign of disease!! Congratulations! Though I know that news also follows the need to finish your chemo cycles. The continued treatment adds protection to ensure the disease doesn’t return! So maybe look at it like ‘belts and suspenders’. 😅
I had to do that with my treatment as well. Even though the tests were all clear, finishing the cycles was important to consolidate the results.
But now you’ve graduated university and you may have an easier time with the treatments than when you were being a full time student! A little more time to rest during the day? That was an incredible feat! I know I mentioned it before but your spirit of endurance is exemplary. So keep up the good work…get the treatment…then take time to heal!
Last evening I went with friends to a Cancer Survival seminar. There was speaker…a man in his 50s who is a 30+ year Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor. I thought of you! He was a university student when he was diagnosed. Managed to stay in classes throughout his treatment. He goes around the US giving lectures on survivorship. About how important it is to try and retain a normal life even though the person you were is now forever changed. There is a time of mourning for what we’ve lost, the life we had before our diagnoses. Cancer does change us…life is different but we have the ability to re-invent ourselves. It was very motivational and encouraging.
I wish you well with your next round…and may it be your last! ☺️. Please keep me updated, ok? Hugs.

heeyyyy so i have completed all my cycles on 18th i got my follow up on 25aug most prolly ik the doc will advise for a pet scan again, im just tired tbh the side effects are the worse thing but i m happy its about to be over now

Hi @darshsingh1 Thanks for the super update!! What a relief to have all your chemo out of the way! I can sympathize, some of the side effects of chemo can be really difficult to deal with month after month. But now that’s behind you and time to heal…body, mind and soul.
You’ve been quite amazing and strong throughout your journey with keeping up with your studies for your law degree. I can’t imagine how exhausting that had to be!

I expect you’re right about your doctor suggesting another PET scan at some point. Though you’ve been very good about continuing with your full treatment schedule so we’ll be very optimistic that this scan, if needed, will be another clean one! ☺️ Please keep in touch and let me know how you’re doing! Did you take time off after your final exams to rest before searching for a job?

Been there done that. So sorry to hear. Dual hit (in body and skull) Large B Cell Non hodgkins lymphoma Stage 4. In hospital every 3rd week for six months.
Had lost over 30lbs before diagnosis. Had the best Doctor in the world.
I did get weaker over time. Lost hair and finger/toe nails. Lost feeling in lower face feet and fingers from chemos.
Dr gave me prescriptions for nausea, pain, sleep, fungal, bactira, also a newlasta injection to boost
immunity after each session plus spinal injections for tumors in skull.
Key is sleep, nutrition, exercise and good support.
Recovered within a month rather quickly.
It is tough and I wish you well

@loribmt hey lori hows it going , just wanted to tell you i am in remission finally and have started to get back on my routine it was one hell of a journey and i am sure i am gonna remember this my whole life , i have started hitting gym getting back on my career and most probably gonna start doing internship this month. and i wanna thank you for being there for me in my tough times as i do find it scary, it does feel so good to get back on track again and a fresh start. and also can you tell me a way where i can join and be a part of those zoom meetings.

Hi @darshsingh1! Happy New Year! And what a year it’s been, huh? I just love getting encouraging replies like yours, that show cancer treatments can work and life can go on. By sharing what you’ve been through, endured and overcome, you have the opportunity to spread hope for other younger members.
What wonderful news to start your new year…being in remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I’ve been so impressed with your exemplary attitude and tenacity to be able to continue university studies for your law degree while undergoing your treatments. That’s no easy feat! So congratulations to you and I wish you continued good health and a successful career in law!

I’m not sure what zoom meetings you’re referring to. There are cancer organizations such as the Blood Cancer United and other entities which offer podcasts and possibly some zoom meetings to connect with others. Mayo Clinic offers a AYA (adolescent and young adults from 18-39) monthly meeting (alternating online - I know you don’t live in the US)
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/aya-adolescents-and-young-adults-support-group-meeting-y-a-me-too-1-a6f63f52/
However at this time I don’t see anything listed for upcoming sessions. Do you recall anymore information about the zoom meetings?

@loribmt hello lori its been a while since i posted an update, well ig whats new is i have started lifting and from lifting i mean really heavy lifting it does feel good to get back on track as well as currently interning with a legal company , feels good to be back stronger and healthier. hows it going with you ? how you doing ?

Hey @darshsingh1! It’s great to hear from you! Wow, what a difference a year and a half can make! I’m thrilled you’re doing so well after your treatments for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and life is returning to normal.

Congratulations on the internship with the law office. They are lucky to have you. Though I know internships can be pretty rough. They test your mettle! But you were such a trooper to keep pushing forward with your education even while in treatment. That shows amazing fortitude. So you’re going to do great with this job! Will it potentially lead to you to joining that firm?

Really cool that you’re getting fit and healthy again by weight lifting. Chemo can take its toll on our bodies for sure. I know I lost bone density and muscle mass during my treatments. Weight lifting helped significantly with both! Exercise is wonderful for our mental health too! So keep up the outstanding work you’re doing…both career-wise and your health!

I’m doing really well, thank you for asking! I’m just a couple days shy of my 7th Re-birthday with my bone marrow transplant. At 72 I’m feeling fabulous, energetic and at my physical last month I checked the “Excellent Health” box in the health questionnaire! That was my walk on the wild side. 😅 But I no longer feel like a cancer patient.

I love getting updates like yours. What you’re sharing can be so helpful to other young cancer patients. Your story can offer the much needed encouragement and hope Hodgkin’s Lymphoma patients! So thank you for popping in for visit today! This set a really happy tone for my entire day. ☺️

As a side note, we’ve had discussions here on whether to tell people at our work place about what we’ve dealt with if we’ve gone through a dramatic cancer story. I was retired at the time so that was a moot issue for me. But some people choose to keep their history private so they’re not treated differently. I do know from my own experience, I tend not to say much about my situation in conversation outside of Connect. Because when people do find out I had cancer and a transplant, that’s all the conversation is ever about. My health. As cancer survivors, most of us don’t want to be defined by our journey. We are survivors and over-comers first! Just curious, have you told anyone at work about your medical adventure of the past year?