My name is Olivia and I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in early June 2024.
I noticed a lump in my neck in early April and followed up with a GP appointment and several scans and blood tests which confirmed my cancer diagnosis. I had a PET scan shortly after which confirmed that the disease was at stage 2, with the cancer having spread from the lymph nodes into my neck to the area around my breast bone.
As I fell into the child-bearing age range I was given the opportunity to have some eggs collected and frozen in case I became infertile from chemotherapy.
I started chemo (escalated BEACOPP) in mid July 2024 as an inpatient at Bradford Royal Infirmary for the first 3 days of the chemotherapy cycle. After this I was discharged home and then had to attend another chemo session at Eccleshill community hospital for day 8 of treatment. I’ve had 3 complete chemo cycles (I had a PET scan during my 2nd cycle and the results indicated that there wasn’t any sign of the disease showing) and waiting to start my 4th (and hopefully last!) chemo cycle.
I’m looking for anyone who is also in their 30s or has been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and would like to share their experiences
Hi @Olivia_e a great big welcome to our forum and I am so glad you have found our forum family.
You might wonder why I am replying to you as I have another blood cancer, I am not on chemo and I am double your age. I was diagnosed at 53 yrs old.
I hope someone else will be able to share their experiences.
What I have found is that many of us share similar fears, thoughts, emotions and practicalities.
I found that it can feel a lonely, isolated time and looking back I did not realise the emotional toll it was taking on me.
The Blood Cancer UK website has a lot of information on work and financial issues etc.
The Blood Cancer UK support line is also there for you on 0808 2080 888
I look forward to hearing more about you and what it is like for you, be very kind to yourself.
Hello there @Olivia_e, welcome to the forum. Bet you wish you never needed to find one like this!
I’m really sorry to read of your diagnosis, and at such a young age, but like dear @Erica says I’m sure you’ll find others here with similar and different diagnoses and ages who will recognise what you’re going through and empathise with your concerns.
But doesn’t it totally suck?! I’m really impressed by your advocacy and thinking ahead to keep some eggs saved. My first haematologist didn’t bother to mention that my treatment for Polycythaemia vera (PV) would affect my fertility, but thankfully I’d already decided I didn’t want children. I’ve also changed doctors to one who doesn’t miss such major aspects of care—sounds like yours were a bit more thorough, and your own advocacy no doubt helped.
As our diagnoses are different I can’t offer direct advice, but perhaps you’d like the read the Blood Cancer UK information about Hodgkin lymphoma as I find their research really well written: Hodgkin lymphoma | Blood Cancer UK
Maybe have a look around the forum for others diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and those who might plan to have children despite our treatments, as I’m sure you’ll find a wealth of folks with first-hand experiences who know exactly what you’re living with.
All the best @Olivia_e, I look forward to reading how you get on.
Welcome to our Online Community - I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis and what you’ve been through, but I’m glad that you’ve found this very supportive forum.
Please do take a look around. You can search for other threads that you may relate to using the search bar at the top, or using the tags or the categories on the left hand side of the homepage.
