Having recently finished my treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma, I would like to firstly send my hopes for you and secondly offer some positive thoughts. My condition nearly killed me as it led to sepsis and almost destroyed my liver before the doctors were able to diagnose it. The Chemo was pretty good. I did lose my hair but apart from that I had no real ill effects (I think I threw up a total of four times, but that was about it, and probably had more to do with the fact that the steroids I were on gave me a ravenous appetite and I probably ate far too such n those occasions!) and, after a final PET scan after the chemo, I was clear. Yes, it COULD come back, but, Goddess willing, I hope to remain clear. It IS one of the most treatable forms of cancer – in fact, the booklet I was given about the condition was very reassuring. That’s what I’d like to do – reassure you. This is not a death sentence, it is an illness and modern medicine can do wonders (I like to think I’m living proof of that!) and…well, I don’t need to tell you how frightening it can be to live with cancer, but you ARE living and, the Goddess willing, you will continue to do so. I am still weak from my illness – not by the cancer, but by the additional ailments that I had prior to diagnosis. I spent four months in hospital, and due to the liver/sepsis conditions, I wasted away and lost all mobility. However, I prevailed and now I am almost normal – walking can make my feet hurt at times, but I progressed from a skeletal shell to near normality. I am praying that you will be able to say the same.

Take care, be strong and remember, you’re living with cancer (at the moment) not dying from it.

Love and blesings,

Paul x

Oddly enough, *my* sister is named Carol, but she’s had a stroke, not cancer.

I am a member of the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Your oncologist might at some date suggest investigating this, perhaps they already have. I joined because a local woman had a multiple myelomas cancer, and I had already lost two acquaintances to it. I haven’t been called for more testing or a potential match, unfortunately. Maybe it’s the muttishness of my genetic ancestry!

You are in my prayers/workings. I wish you the best possible outcome.