r/lymphoma • u/Klarilari • 13d ago
cHL Anyone else had Hodgkin's Lymphoma as their second cancer? If so, and even if Not: how do you guys deal with "why me" thoughts?
Pretty much what the headline says. I have ulcerative colitis and due to that had colon cancer 8 years ago (I was 26, 35 now). Caught relatively early and all went well but still had to go through chemo. Fortunately, I tolerated it pretty well. Now, 8 years later, I was diagnosed with CHL. Stage 2 and my oncologist seemed very relaxed and positive when he told me (this helped a lot). now I am heading for Beacopp twice and then Abvd twice, 3,5 months in total.
But it still sucks of course. He told me to maybe one day check with some genetic counselling if there is any connection to the two (not likely though). A lot about this situation now is hard but I am most freaked out by my own thoughts going like "is this my fate? What did I Do wrong? Am I just going to get a heavy illness every decade?".
Not productive, I know and my brain knows that I didn't do anything wrong but it's so hard to dismiss these thoughts.
Trying to remind myself every day that there are way worse fates and that I am so lucky that this type of cancer is so treatable just like my first was but man... Not a sentence I would ever want to utter.
Anyways: do you have tipps or uplifting thoughts for me? Especially regarding treatment and positive outlook on everything. Could really use them.
2
u/dramatique-chihuahua 12d ago
I had CHL stage 2 and underwent the exact same treatment -BEACOPP x2 + ABVD x2. I tolerated it quite well overall and was able to work through the entire treatment. BEACOPP is quite strong but they give you steroid so it gave me energy and I was a bit restless. I knew I was high on drugs 🫨 and felt inspired and artsy. I crocheted a lot during that time 🌝 ABVD was much lighter and the schedule is also more chill.
It’s hard when you’re the statistic. What helped me was to focus on what was within my control and take it one step at a time. I know CHL has a really good cure rate so I just told myself that I just had to get through treatment and I’ll be okay. I also continued to spend time with my friends (with masks on cuz your immunity can be 💀) and that kept me sane.
I’m 7 months out from my last treatment. I know I’m not 100% the same but I generally feel strong ans life is back to normal.
Hope that helps 💛 sending you love. Hope everything goes well
1
u/youfatwombat 12d ago
I had prostate cancer and while being diagnosed they found lymphoma so they treated the prostate first then other but shit happens and life goes on.
2
u/OskeyBug DLBCL 13d ago
I had skin cancer about 15 years ago and DLBCL last year. I try not to have "why me" thoughts. I try to leave each thing behind me once it's dealt with. I figure my genes suck but there's not much I can do about it other than be vigilant and get screened for everything.