Hey there, I saw a link today about "blamedrewscancer" and I wanted to drop you a quick note. In 2000 I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, stage 2a. It was in my neck and upper chest. The treatment was basically the same as yours - 6 months of chemo (every 2 weeks) followed by radiation of the area every day for a month. It's 9 years later and I am completely cured.
You can and will pull through it, especially with the help of great friends and family.
Some tips that might be helpful:
1. Eat.. a lot. Every time you get the chance. Luckily I was always famished, which isn't normal for people going through cancer treatment. 2. Take your anti-nausea medication religiously. Take it one hour before you show up for your chemo appt and then at every recommended interval, even if you have to be woken up to eat a popsicle and take your pill. 3. Be prepared to lose weight and your hair. Be even more prepared to pack the weight back on in the form of additional muscle and have your hair come back a different color/texture once treatment is done. 4. About 2-3 months after your last radiation treatment you will be tired ALL THE TIME. It's normal. 5. If your results are like mine then during your chemo treatment your senses of taste and smell will be especially heightened. Don't use metal utensils, stick with plastic if possible. My sense of smell is so acute I can still tell when someone opens a can of peaches from across the room.
I was given the chemo drug ABVD (not sure if it is still used). I had my treatments on a Friday and was back to work by the following Tuesday.. at a desk with little stress.
Anyway, I think your website is a kickass idea and I hope you find a corporate sponsor.
Keep fighting the shit out of that cancer.
Josh
darrenram
· 6 months ago
Hey Dude, read your stuff in the past and then stumbled across this this evening via a twitter link.
Having just finished the 6months ABVD treatment 8 months ago it's not to much of a distance memory and I can concur with Josh.
You sound positive and have a great bunch of family and friends around you which helps. For me it was never as bad as I thought it may be and I can honestly say during the 6 months I never took a day off work ill, although I do work for myself and at home, and was always back to work on the Tuesday morning after chemo on the Monday afternoon.
Like Josh says for me it was eat it eat which helped with strange tastes and senses and definitely listen to your body it seems strange how the 2 week cycle really is a cycle or is that a ritual.
Keep positive and before you know it you will have this beat.
Regards, Darren (UK)
Sheryl
· 6 months ago
I think you have the right idea. Listen to your body. Don't push to do things that don't feel ok. And if you're tired, sheesh, you have to rest. If you're hungry eat as much as you can. If you're not and it doesn't sound good don't. Just pay attention...you will do what's right for you. Seriously. Your instincts are there for a reason. :)
Brian Daniel Eisenberg
· 6 months ago
stay strong and do everything your docs recommend to withstand that chemo. i heard its worse than a bad mushroom trip. keep on rockin bro! sending good vibes yer way from the great PacNW.
Jeremiah Owyang
· 6 months ago
Hang in there bud, I'm reading your blog posts and wishing you the best. Expect a big hug next time I see you
tspinner
· 6 months ago
I blame Drew's Cancer for my own Stage IV diagnosis (Jan. 09)
oh yeah, and I got laid off four months later...
marshal sandler
· 6 months ago
Drew I added this comment-to LG Site Mr Gray please tell Drew I also have Lymohoma Non Hodgkins and it was in remission for 7 years I just started Chemo Again after 7 years in Remission- Attitude is extremely important since Chemo is no fun- to be diagnosed is a very traumatic experience-When I was first diagnosed I also saw a good Psychiatrist for about six months this is important since he convinced me that I had to live for Decades well I am still here at 73-I can only give Drew this advice chemo does sap your energy but every day you have to do something-cause at times Chemo Scrambles the Brain-at times Also try to drink a lot of water -this time they have added a new drug for me retuxin why not-
All Comments
I saw a link today about "blamedrewscancer" and I wanted to drop you a quick note. In 2000 I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, stage 2a. It was in my neck and upper chest. The treatment was basically the same as yours - 6 months of chemo (every 2 weeks) followed by radiation of the area every day for a month. It's 9 years later and I am completely cured.
You can and will pull through it, especially with the help of great friends and family.
Some tips that might be helpful:
1. Eat.. a lot. Every time you get the chance. Luckily I was always famished, which isn't normal for people going through cancer treatment.
2. Take your anti-nausea medication religiously. Take it one hour before you show up for your chemo appt and then at every recommended interval, even if you have to be woken up to eat a popsicle and take your pill.
3. Be prepared to lose weight and your hair. Be even more prepared to pack the weight back on in the form of additional muscle and have your hair come back a different color/texture once treatment is done.
4. About 2-3 months after your last radiation treatment you will be tired ALL THE TIME. It's normal.
5. If your results are like mine then during your chemo treatment your senses of taste and smell will be especially heightened. Don't use metal utensils, stick with plastic if possible. My sense of smell is so acute I can still tell when someone opens a can of peaches from across the room.
I was given the chemo drug ABVD (not sure if it is still used). I had my treatments on a Friday and was back to work by the following Tuesday.. at a desk with little stress.
Anyway, I think your website is a kickass idea and I hope you find a corporate sponsor.
Keep fighting the shit out of that cancer.
Josh
Having just finished the 6months ABVD treatment 8 months ago it's not to much of a distance memory and I can concur with Josh.
You sound positive and have a great bunch of family and friends around you which helps. For me it was never as bad as I thought it may be and I can honestly say during the 6 months I never took a day off work ill, although I do work for myself and at home, and was always back to work on the Tuesday morning after chemo on the Monday afternoon.
Like Josh says for me it was eat it eat which helped with strange tastes and senses and definitely listen to your body it seems strange how the 2 week cycle really is a cycle or is that a ritual.
Keep positive and before you know it you will have this beat.
Regards, Darren (UK)
oh yeah, and I got laid off four months later...