ChristineT's Journey with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)
Survivor: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)
Patient Info: Finished active treatment less than 5 years ago, Diagnosed: almost 13 years ago, Female, Age: 38, Stage II
Get Full Access Today It’s EASY and FREE!
Things you can do
More Questions
Find us on Facebook
Experience Icon Descriptions
Procedure: Drag this icon to show a procedure.
Radiation: Drag this icon to show a specific radiation therapy experience.
Drug Therapy: Drag this icon to show a specific drug therapy experience.
Clinical Trial: Drag this icon to show a clinical trial experience.
Side Effect: Drag this icon to show experience with a specific side effect.
Oh No: Drag this icon to show when something bad happened (e.g., cancer’s back, lost job).
Celebration: Drag this icon to show when something good happened (e.g., last treatment, hair is back).
Loss: Drag this icon to show a time of loss (e.g., lost hair, lost loved one).
Decision Point: Drag this icon to show a time when you had to make a tough decision.
Other Care: Draft this icon to show a time when you needed other care (e.g., hospice, psychotherapy).
Loading...
Misdiagnosed
Oh No
I went to three different doctors in two states, and all three told me that the symptoms I was describing were nothing to worry about and, more importantly, nonexistent. I had to beg the last doctor to request an MRI for me, and he laughed and said he would but it was a waste of money. Meanwhile, I could tell that whatever was in my throat was getting worse.
Diagnosed
Oh No
The MRI scan showed a massive tumor in my throat, and a surgeon let me make an emergency appointment with him. He diagnosed me within 2 seconds and that night I was prepping for surgery.
De-bulking and tracheostomy
Procedure or Surgery
The tumor was so large that I could not be put to sleep until the tracheotomy was finished. Once that was done, they put me to sleep and de-bulked the tumor. The tumor was the size of a tennis ball.
Implant chemotherapy port
Procedure or Surgery
The implant of the port was the easiest procedure by far! I was awake during it, and the surgeon implanting it was making me laugh the entire time.
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
Because my cancer was so aggressive, the chemotherapy had to be equally aggressive. Every 21 days I moved into the hospital for a week for the chemo. Staying in the hospital sucked, but the nurses were amazing and I had the best care 24/day.
Side Effects
This person has yet to add any details about this experience.