bp440's Journey with Hodgkin Disease

Gram negative sepsis. Unable to determine source of infection. Port Ok so chemo resumed and on long-term antibiotics.

My husband saw his pulmonary physician today and the shortness of breath is due to the anemia. There is no evidence of lung damage from the Bleomycin! YEAH

My husband completed his chemotherapy yesterday YEAH. Now we wait for follow up testing and results. We are so grateful to be at this point in his journey.

My husband's vision has changed dramatically since his last eye check up one year ago (and change in lenses). He found out yesterday that he has cataracts in full bloom (possibly due to the steroids this past year). His opthamologist is concerned that he has acute myopic changes and has ordered a blood sugar evaluation. The oncologist feels it may resolve on its own in a few months, but ordered the blood work just in case. It too can be related to the steroids as it effects muscles in the eye as well. Lots of different theories on this one.

My husband's ejection fraction dropped from 59 to 47 from the Adriamycin. He had quadruple bypass 4 years ago. His cardiologist prescribed a alpha/beta blocker called IC Carvedilol. Apparently they have seen good results with this drug to help improve the muscle function of the heart post chemotherapy. He'll have an ECHO in a few months to see if there is improvement.

Started on a new alpha beta blocker that is to help with the side effects of Adriamycin on the heart muscle. It reduces the workload on the heart.

His annual PET/CT was all clear so year one in remission!

My husbands shortness of breath continued to get worse with the slightest bit of exertion. MUGA showed his ejection fraction much worse EF 33% in moderate heart failure range due to the Adriamycin! So good news is he's in remission, bad news his heart is pretty damaged. Now starts more medications and more naps.

My husband completed his chemotherapy one year ago. Last year he was too sick to celebrate Thanksgiving. This year we are grateful to share this holiday with family!

Annual CT scan cancer free (one year post chemotherapy). Heart failure caused by chemotherapy has been reversed with medications, ECHO near normal!!

My husbands' recent blood work and check up all good so still in remission! He continues with the 3 month follow up for the rest of this year. Fatigue and shortness of breath are still present, but he does what he can then rests. Life is good.

Although he is cured of the cancer,the chemo did a lot of damage to his body. It has changed him forever. However, we are happy to be able to work through these challenges and enjoy our life for as long as we have it together.

Great news today, my husband is in remission.