Zack's Journey with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)
Survivor: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)
Patient Info: Finished active treatment more than 5 years ago, Diagnosed: almost 16 years ago, Male, Age: 29, Stage I
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...
Surgery
Procedure or Surgery
I was feeling stomach pains for two weeks right around my birthday. I got a CatScan and they thought it was an intussusception (part of your intestine scrunching up into another part). They tried one procedure that did not work so they decided to operate. Afterwards they called my mom in to look at what turned out to be the tumor and said "It might be cancer." The next day or so (Timing is a little fuzzy due to medication) they got the test results back and came in to tell me. I don't remember much of it, but I believe I just kinda laughed and fell back asleep. Go drugs! Anyways, the surgery is the best and least hurtful way to go in my experience. As long as your doctors are good there shouldn't be any serious complications.
Chemo or No
Decision Point
I had to decide whether I wanted to take Chemo or risk Cancer returning.
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
I went to Seattle Childrens. I had two sessions of Chemotherapy separated by 3 weeks. In the mean time I stayed in a Hotel room in Seattle. With familial support it was very easy for me. I'm glad that I didn't know about all the side effects of Chemo beforehand. The main thing I can say is to make friends. If you don't have any friends or family that will stick around now? Stay positive and make whatever hospital you are at and the people near you your friends. Some of them you don't even have to tell about having cancer. Make friends that you can pour your mind into instead of thinking constantly about a "disease" that you have. I thought about my mother more than myself because she was the worried one. Although I believe this should be your first resort, some may use it as a last. Turn to God and he will help you through it. He's helped me through some considerably larger hardships recently.
Hospitalization for Coinciding Illness
Other Care
My fever spiked to over 101 for a short period. My mom blamed it on my dad being there instead of her. But during this time my older brother was also in a car accident. Again, the two main suggestions I have for anyone going through ANYTHING similar are to Stay focused on those around you, and to remain positive at all times.
Finished treatment
Celebration
This person has yet to add any details about this experience.
Celebration
This person has yet to add any details about this experience.