DougG's Journey with Hodgkin Disease

Was having trouble swallowing, and also had very frequent night sweats with temps of 101+. Doc took lung x-ray and saw the mass in my chest around my heart. 1984

Living in Houston, I went to MD Anderson for further diagnosis.

Started two cycles of chemo. first one they called "CVPP", which is an acronym for differant drugs. Then they gave me "ABDIC", other meds. I choose not to have the "long line" (permenant IV) so I could go about my daily life looking normal when I was'nt sick. Just kept taking IVs for chemo and blood draws.

Side effects from the chemo where that evening sometimes, but for sure nausea all day the next day. I just layed on the couch or in bed that day. the next day I would feel weak from it all and would just rest. At least usually not vomitting then. By the third or fouth day I was able to go out and get around, but slowly. The following week I would go back for more. It was a pain in the neck to be sick, but I kept a good POSITIVE outlook the best I can. I always knew in my mind I was going to beat this and had to keep fighting, eating well, and resting when I needed to.

They gave my Cobalt daily for 4 days and off for 3. I would go in during my lunch from work to get radiated. They marked me a little to help align me up in the machine and they used masking tape to help hold me precise. To this day I dont like the smell of masking tape. I eventually got a real bad sunburn on my chest and could not wash that skin area at all. But it was only for I think three weeks. By then, my hair died and some fell out. I think that was from the chemo that was still in my system.

At the end they did exploratory surgery to make sure they didnt see anyhting. While they were in there they removed my Spleen and appendix. Just for safety sake. I understand they do not remove the Spleen anymore. Recovered quickly, though I was out of work for 6 weeks and was a newly wed of 8 months at the age at 19.

All was clear and was in remission. Went back for CBC (complete blood work) and chest x rays every three months for a while, then six months, and now twenty years later, every year I get CBC and X-rays. They said after 7 years I was considered cured.