Been diagnosed with lymphoma since December . I’m 51 thought healthy n fit then was told this . Had treatment rhixumap or something like that lol.
Got used to life with this but sometimes it play on my mind at night . Hoping I beat it as I don’t know about rest of you I think of others instead of myself . My only son mainly as I don’t want to leave him even though he’s 26 . I’ve been a male single parent since his mum left us an we are so close . Apart from that I get bit breathless at times . Don’t have anyone to talk too which is quite hard . Just like fighting it on my own .
I hope everyone on here keep fighting n smiling even during the tough times
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@Gazza a warm welcome to this forum! So glad you found it - I think there will be others who really relate to what you’re saying. If you ever want to chat things through with us on the support line, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0808 2080 888.
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Hi @Gazza I am so, so glad that you have found us, you now have our forum family for support. I can remember feeling so isolated and lonely as if I were in a bubble, the only person in the world with my diagnosis.
As @Alice_BloodCancerUK says the Blood Cancer UK support line is there for you if you would like to talk and they are all so lovely.
I was 53yrs old when I was diagnosed and my son was probably about 26yrs old and that was 18 yrs ago.
I was in such shock when I was diagnosed and it took me a long while to get my head to slow down it was like a washing machine on full spin with fears, thoughts and feelings all whizzing around and yes, worst at night and in the words of the Mamas and Papas ‘the darkest hour is just before dawn’.
I manage the symptoms that I was diagnosed with. The one plus to my diagnosis is that it has made me assess my life and what is really important to me and I am certainly less materialistic now.
The best things in life are free, my son, music, nature etc. I love my daily walk and although I get breathless, feel fatigued etc sometimes, I do what I can. I am also a Pilates girl and my 70th birthday (just before lockdown) was my best birthday ever.
You are now not on your own. I look forward to hearing more about you so please keep posting. Be kind to yourselves and really look after yourselves
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Thankyou ladies , it has been a struggle as I’m never ill . I never take tablets even for a headache lol. Now I’m on 12 a day 
So far three blood transfusions , kidney failure enlarged spleen , bone marrow samples an lymphoma . Why do things in half hey lol
Still upbeat as I think it’s best way , I’m scared as anything mind .
It’s great I got you guys to chat to now I ve found this site I think it will help loads . I’ve been reading the posts an can relate to so thanks all.
An wish everyone well
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Hi and @Alice_BloodCancerUK and @Erica are just great supports.
Blood cancer is p o o p y!
I have been through 16 months since diagnosis and can say that when I was lonely angry and fed up here was a great place to come for support. When things went well here was a place to share good news too.
All our journeys are different but the support from here is a constant.
Good luck, keep trying to stay healthy (apart from the blood cancer) and I’ll keep my fingers crossed
X
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Hi I was diagnosed with NHL stage 4A at the age of 51. Like you I was fit and healthy man, never smoked or drank excessively. Was discovered by incident during a scan on a back problem. I had 4 months of Chemo (RCHOP) and like you Rituximab. You will feel breathless for a while, maybe lethargic. It’s a result of the chemo drugs. It’s a big thing getting through treatment and recovery takes time. To give you some positive reflection, I’ve been in remission (complete clear from disease) for 8 months and get bloods done every 8 weeks. I’m starting to get back to some normality, such as gardening, cycling, socialising etc. I think it could be another 6-12 months before I feel like I used too. That is what the consultant tells me. I understand your worry and people who unfortunately get a Cancer have to deal with thinking about their immediate future and their loved ones (your Son). Many people live with Lymphoma for years and years and once you reach a milestone of say 6/12 months into remission, you will start to think more positively and although it will be at the back of your mind it won’t consume you as much as it maybe does in the early months of remission. I know we are all different and it’s normal to worry about the things close to you. If you need to talk that’s what we are here for…you’re not alone…please remember that. Stay safe.stay strong.
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Hi Gazza
I was diagnosed aged 57 and consultant told me I had probably had it for 3 or 4 years before that.
I’m still going strong at 76 this year, worked until I was 67, now play golf every week and even have a leg in a race horse! Ok, I’ve had a fair bit of treatment but have led a good life in between and seen my children marry and now have four grandchildren. Stay strong and positive, blood cancer treatments are pioneering and improving all the time. Best Wishes, Nic
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Hi @NikkiP yes, as I said above my life is great at 72 yrs old, however I have not even got a goldfish let alone a leg in a racehorse !!!
You are so right blood cancer treatments have come on leaps and bounds since we were diagnosed.
I look forward to hearing more from you.
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You don’t say what kind of lymphoma and there’s tons of types; Hodgkin’s and Non Hodgkin’s but then the NHL split into B Cell(the more common) and T Cell (the type I have and about 15 percent of NHL’s) and then further into loads of sub types(Mycosis Fungoides is my sub type).Some are aggressive and some indolent and some in-between.I’m still alive and was diagnosed about 3 years ago now and had had it when it was indolent at least 10 years before that.Although it is becoming more aggressive,I suppose it’s in the in-between catagory now, now I still get about everyday.Basically from my reading Hodgkin’s can generally be cured these days but not without damaging the body to cure it,it couldn’t always be cured and the actor who played Sandy(the little chap in the wheelchair) in Crossroads died from it.The B Cell NHL can sometimes be cured.The T Cell NHL rarely cured but they can mitigate the effects.
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I am 74 years old and like you had the same treatment and symptoms ( more transfusions plus a camera down my throat to stomach due to upsets.) My big hope is that the transfusions will settle me down which they seem to be helping me do so. My tummy seems a lot better after losing taste and appetite. I am relieved to be eating again (though limited) and I hope to put weight back on again and travel more. My spleen seems to have retracted since going on chemo tablets. I think that we all appreciate normal feelings and we need to stay positive and get back to some normality with luck. I believe it can be done. Sorry for rambling on but my brain is a bit confused concentrating sometimes. Best of luck Gazza. This is a great site .
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Oh and you are not on your own. There are thousands of us out here. BOL
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@NikkiP . Well done you.
You’re a winner and give us all hope 
Stay well and keep laughing lots
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@JOHNNYA07san Thanks for sharing. I have many of the same symptoms and find the loss of taste particularly difficult as it prevents me eating what I want and therefore makes it so difficult to put on the weight that I have lost (20% of my weight).
So I am trying to eat much more of what my taste buds find acceptable - which is not necessarily very healthy, but at least it is food!
Stay positive and keep laughing lots.
The medical teams are so clever these days. Let’s trust them to look after us😊
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Hi @JOHNNYA07san a great big welcome to our forum.
I am 72 yrs ago and diagnosed with Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) 18 yrs ago.
OK I have to manage my symptoms, and it is hard to know sometimes what are Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) symptoms and what are perhaps, dare I say it, age related symptoms, especially with my fatigue !!!
I love your attitude, I hope you have found our forum supportive and isn’t it great to know you are not the only one and you are certainly not alone.
Are you planning any trips in your mind?
Look after yourself.
fantastic news…keep positive
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Hi there I’m sorry to hear your diagnosis, I was diagnosed with myeloma 18 months ago it’s been hard going and the constant pain does get me down at times but ha-ho keep smiling.
I know what you mean about worrying about your son love to chat anytime keep positive
Chris
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