Hodgkins Lynphoma As A College Student

Hi @calistay. Receiving a cancer diagnosis at this time, in the prime of your life has to feel incredibly unfair. I wasn’t prepared for it either, and I was diagnosied with a blood cancer at 65! That was 6 years ago. But thankfully, there has been tons of research and development of treatments which can help us move past these diseases. It may forever shape your life but it doesn’t have to define it! According to statistics, Hodkin’s lymphoma is treatable with a high success rate.

I want to introduce you to another student who went through a similar diagnosis at the age of 21 earlier this year. @darshsingh1 was attending college getting his law degree when he was undergoing treatment. His story is inspirational. He’s doing well now and has graduated. I’m hoping he sees that I tagged him and joins the converation to give you some moral support.

Here is the discussion he started in February:
Can a hodgkins lymphoma survivor go to his college?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/can-a-hodgkins-lymphoma-survivor-go-to-his-college/
As far as missing a semester, for your health and safety it may be easier to not be at school. But that doesn’t mean you can’t stay in contact with friends. Conversations can get awkward but try to encourage some of your closer friends that you still want to hear about their life and normal, daily activies. Most of the time I’m guessing you all text anyway so conversations can remain fairly routine.

Some friends tend to get maudlin so it may be up to you to set the tone of the conversation from time to time. As for returning to school and looking different, there’s not much that can be done about that. If you’re concerned about lack of hair, there are cool caps or, scarves and wigs. But honestly, many young people that I mentor, just ‘own the look’. It doesn’t take long for hair to start growing again. There’s no need for embarrassment. You most likely, depending on treatment, may lose your hair and weight. But usually once the treatments are over, within a month or so hair starts returning, you regain weight, strength and stamina.
Our bodies are meant to heal but sometimes, in the case of cancer, they need a little extra help. Chemotherapy sounds scary but it is a means of defense against the cancer cells. Once they’re gone, your body can get back to the process of healing and protecting you again. The treatments may make you tired and possibly nauseated. Your medical team will do everything they can to make sure you’re comfortable with anti-nausea medications and labs to make sure the treatments are working.

I’m here anytime you want to talk as well. We’re generations apart, but the emotions are still the same. A few years ago, I helped another young cancer patient when she was going through a bone marrow transplant. She was in college too but has now graduated and gone on to get her doctorate. So there is life after this…just a little side trip off the path you thought you were on! ☺️

Do you have any specific question or concerns about your treatment plan? When will they start?
Are you living on campus or will you be back home so that you have a support system with your family?

hey @calistay it does sound scary in starting but trust me i have completed all my chemo cycles and actually doing good it does take time but in end its worth it , also dw about your college once the chemo is over you'll be good in no time , as my hairs have starting to come back it does feel like a new start , and yes i did had the same thing with my appearence as many of my friends got worried about me, but its all ok good yk you are gonna come through eventually and if you have any more ques feel free to text me
hey lori @loribmt i hope you are doing good and yes i am doing good too i wanna thank youu so much for being there for me on my journey , it was one hell of a ride lol.

Hey!! @darshsingh1 It’s so great to hear from you! And thank you for popping into the conversation to give a pep talk to @calistay. Hopefully they see your message and respond! It can be so motivating to speak with someone who’s been through treatment and thriving on the other side! Hope is the best four letter word!

I’m doing great, thank you! I’m so thrilled to see that you’re recovered and getting on with life. I’m honored to have been part of your journey! Hah, yes, I’ve also described my journey as a hell of a ride…phew…was so glad that roller coaster slowed to a stop and I could get off! 😂 We walk away from that experience changed people, for sure. More introspective of life but with a huge, new appreciation for the little things and what matters most.
Please keep in touch! How is your career going? Enjoying being a lawyer?

Hi @calistay, Just wanted to check in with you this morning. It’s been several days since you posted your new discussion about having Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It can be a very frightening time not knowing what to expect. I’m here if you need to talk and also @darshsingh1, who had a similar experience around the same age, wrote a really encouraging reply for you.
It’s understandable if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed but this is a safe place to ask questions. We’ve got your back. ☺️

Have you spoken with your doctor yet about starting treatments?

@darshsingh1 Thanks for commenting. Everything is moving quite quickly, I got my port in and am due to start chemo on dec 18th. I recently went to return my books to my college and it was really nice to see my friends. It's hard to find younger people with cancer so it's really nice to here from you.

@loribmt Hi Lori, thanks for your nice messages. I start chemo on dec 18th and was able to get my port in. It's weird I have never had an implanted device so it kinda feels weird at times. I'm meeting with an oncology social worker soon so that will be nice as well. Overall I'm doing a little better, emotions are very up and down since it's always scary not knowing exactly what's going to happen. I hope once things get going and things become more predictable that things will feel better.

@calistay Good morning! Getting your port is the first step towards moving past this chapter in your life. There are different types of ports…mine was a Hickman line with 2 lumens (connectors) running out of my chest. I remember standing in the bathroom in front of the mirror looking at my newly implanted line and thinking “I look like a Cyborg!” I don’t remember what movie that was from but the character had tubes and wires popping out at random locations. LOL. I also had thoughts running through my head like, “The “s*** just got real!” But, these ports are key players in administering the meds that get us healthy again!

Your emotions will be all over the place, especially before the 18th because you don’t have a clue what any of this will feel like, the procedures for what’s going to take place and the outcome. Reading your comments I can already sense that you’re going to handle this situation well. Yes, things do take on a little more predictability once the treatments are underway. You’ll fall in to a rhythm of monthly cycles with chemo.
I don’t know your treatment plan but generally chemo is on a cycle of somewhere around every 28 days and a break between, depending on your type of medication.

The infusions are usually in an Infusion Center at your local cancer clinic or hospital. You’ll have either your own little room with a comfy reclining chair or sometimes there is a common room with several chairs where you’ll be able to talk with others having their infusions. It’s a bit like a weird social club! Not much in common but the cancers that link us together. And let me tell you, it’s a strong bond! In February it will be 7 years for me and I still keep in touch with one of my ‘chemo buddies’…we’re alive and healthy because of what we endured.

Anyway for your infusion, take along a bag with snacks, water bottle, ipad/phone (and charger), book, little art project…whatever you want to keep you amused and distracted. The infusion can take anywhere from a half hour to a couple hours so you want to be prepared to fend off boredom. The IV is portable on wheels, so you’ll be able to walk around, use the restroom, snack, etc.

There will be nurses present to monitor you during the infusion. Everyone is friendly and helpful. I’ve had infusions at several locations and never had a crabby infusion team! ☺️ Let them know immediatly if anything is uncomfortable. You may or may not feel nauseated. But nurses have meds for that! So take them! There are no awards given for being stoic!

During the next week or so, the chemo starts to work by rapidly quickly dividing cells, such as cancer cells. But there may be some collateral damage with other quickly dividing cells like blood cells, hair follicles, fingernails, mucous tissue in mouth and intestines. So hair may fall out, might want to get that preemptively buzz cut (it was liberating for me!! ) Things that helped my guts were eating Greek yogurt daily. While I still felt some nausea, the yogurt helped protect the gut biome.

Fatigue usually sets in between cycles as your blood numbers decrease. You may hit a very low period mid month that’s called the nadir period or neutropenia. After that, blood numbers begin to climb again, you start regaining energy feeling a little more peppy, just in time for the next cycle.

Because of the decrease in blood cells, red/white and platelets, your immune system will be compromised so masking and frequent handwashing are important. Avoiding food born illness too…it’s important to follow guidelines your team lays out for you in trying to avoid infections.

I know, I know! This all sounds so discouraging and overwhelming. But it doesn’t last! It’s a period you’ll be going through for a few months and then you’ll be on the upswing again. Keep in mind always, that our bodies are meant to heal! Sometimes they just need a little help. And until something better comes along, our chemo treatments are what we have to return us to health.

I know you’re a university student. Were you able to return home to be around friends and family during your treatments?

@loribmt Hi Lori,
Thank you for all the info. Since my family lives in Rochester they thought it would be better if I just moved back in with my parents. My university doesn't offer any online classes so I will go back in the fall.

@calistay I think it will feel pretty good for you to be home. Even though you’re an adult and have basically left the nest, it’s always comforting to be home with parents for a little extra TLC. ☺️
I’ll check in with you later this month to see how you’re doing. But again, don’t hesitate to ask questions.
You’ve got this!! Just get the job done and move on, right? ☺️