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Hodgkin Lymphoma Stories
Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Adult Hodgkin Lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system. Explore below for stories from real patients about their journey battling Hodgkin lymphoma – from symptoms, to diagnosis (or misdiagnosis), to treatment, and how they handled the mental and emotional stress.
Hodgkin Lymphoma Stories
Additional Resources
- Hodgkin Lymphoma General Info
- ABVD Chemotherapy Info
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Stories
- Lymphoma Symptoms
- Ask A Hematologist / Oncologist
Classical
Madi Jones, Nodular Sclerosis, Stage 1B
Cancer details: Most common and most treatable form of Hodgkin lymphoma
1st Symptoms: Shortness of breath
Treatment: 3 rounds (6 infusions) of ABVD chemo
Danielle Doyle, Hodgkin, Stage 2
Cancer details: Diagnosed at age 25
1st Symptoms: Swollen lump on right side of neck/chest area, continued to grow
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (3 cycles = 6 infusions)
Lani Skelley, Hodgkin, Stage 2
Cancer details: Tumor pressing on heart
1st Symptoms: Appendicitis led to CT scan that found tumor
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy, 7 cycles
Logan Agee, Hodgkin, Stage 2A
Cancer details: Diagnosed at age 15
1st Symptoms: Lump in neck & fatigue
Treatment: 4 cycles of ABVE-PC chemo
Helicon Kuan, Hodgkin, Stage 2A
Cancer details: Found lymphoma cells in adenoid tissue
1st Symptoms: Difficulty breathing with blockage in nose, surgery to remove tissue resulted in discovery of Hodgkin lymphoma cells
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (4 cycles), radiation (20 sessions)
Lauren Chiarello, Hodgkin, Stage 2A
Cancer details: Diagnosed at 23 years old with nodular sclerosis, relapsed after 6 months of 1st-line treatment
1st Symptoms: Itchy body, enlarged lymph node over collar bone
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy and ICE, radiation, and stem cell transplant for relapse
Wade Winslow, Hodgkin, Stage 2A
Cancer details: Diagnosed at 18 years old
1st Symptoms: Enlarged lymph nodes (around neck), diagnosed at 18 years old
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (2 cycles), AVD chemotherapy (4 cycles)
Fabiola Lopez, Hodgkin, Stage 2BX
Cancer details: Stage 2 with bulky disease, relapsed after 1st chemo. Remission after 2nd chemo & bone marrow transplant
1st Symptoms: Shortness of breath, dry cough, fatigue
Treatment: ABVD chemo (6 cycles), IGEV chemo, bone marrow transplant, BEAM chemo, brentuximab
Stephanie Ou, Hodgkin, Stage 2B
Cancer details: Stage 2 with bulky disease
1st Symptoms: Shortness of breath, dry cough
Treatment: Stanford V chemotherapy (12 weeks, 1 infusion each week), radiation (20 days)
Charlie Brickham, Hodgkin, Stage 2B
Cancer details: Diagnosed at 32
1st Symptoms: Lump in neck
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy
Katee Petro, Hodgkin, Stage 2B
Cancer details: Accidentally found in x-ray after months of symptoms
1st Symptoms: Night sweats, fatigue, extreme itchiness, persistent cough
Treatment: Clinical trial; AAVD chemo, immunotherapy
Mara Thrasher, Stage 2BX (Bulky)
1st Symptoms: Shortness of breath, back pains, daily migraines
Treatment: 3 rounds of ABVD, 3 rounds AVD, Radiation
Topics: Self-advocacy, mental health
Jade Blouin, Hodgkin, Stage 2X
Cancer details: Diagnosed at 21 years old
1st Symptoms: Itchy legs and feet
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (4 treatments), AVD (remaining treatments)
Tylere Presley, Hodgkin, Stage 3
Cancer details: Mother is a nurse practitioner; suspected cancer
1st Symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes in neck
Treatment: Clinical trial; Chemotherapy, BMT
Kayla Tremblett, Hodgkin, Stage 3A
Cancer details: Possibly misdiagnosed the first time; later diagnosed as grey zone lymphoma
1st Symptoms: Pulled muscle in chest
Treatment: ABVD chemo, radiation, high-dose chemo, stem cell transplant
Erica Hernandez, Hodgkin, Stage 3B
Cancer details: Staged at 3B
1st Symptoms: Intense itchiness, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss
Treatment:ABVD chemotherapy, 6 cycles (12 infusions)
CC Webster, Hodgkin, Stage 4
Cancer details: Diagnosed at 29, misdiagnosed as mono
1st Symptoms: Achiness, extreme fatigue, reactive rash on chest and neck. Later: chills, night sweats
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (6 cycles)
Lia Sartorio, Nodular Sclerosis, Stage 4A
Cancer details: Most common and most treatable form of Hodgkin lymphoma
1st Symptoms: Extreme lower back pain
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy
Ava Toole, Stage 4B
1st Symptoms: Trouble digesting, weak immune system, raised glands, night sweats, chest pain, extreme fatigue
Treatment: 6 cycles of ABVD chemotherapy
Topics: Emotional grieving, mental health, letting go
Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant
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Oncologists & Experts
Dr. Babis Andreadis, Blood Cancer Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in blood cancers like lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma
Experience: 20+ years
Hospital/clinic size: Large teaching institution
Dr. James Berenson, Multiple Myeloma Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in myeloma and other blood and bone disorders
Experience: 35+ years
Hospital/clinic size: Large private practice
Dr. Jacqueline Barrientos, CLL Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) | 17p Deletion (Ibrutinib, Acalabrutinib, Venetoclax), IgHV mutation
Experience: ~15 years
Hospital/clinic size: Large institution
Dr. Rafael Fonseca, Myeloma Specialist
Hematologist: Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of myeloma; defining sub-type distinctions | Clinical Trials, Selinexor, Darzalex
Experience: 25+ years
Hospital/clinic size: Large institution
Dr. Irene Ghobrial, Blood Cancer Oncologist
Oncologist: Clinical investigator and professor of hematological oncology | MGUS, Smolder Myeloma, Early Screening, Clinical Trials
Experience: ~15 years
Hospital/clinic size: Large institution
Dr. Tim Fenske, Leukemia & Lymphoma Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) & other leukemia and lymphoma | CAR T, Acalabrutinib, Ibrutinib, Idelalisib, Venetoclax
Experience: ~15 years
Hospital/clinic size: Mid-sized institution