Almost the end of treatment
By dorannmwin
@dorannmwin (36392)
United States
October 17, 2011 11:20am CST
This last six months has really been a whirlwind. Tom was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in April of this year and he started his six cycles of chemotherapy on the 11th of May. During that time we've experienced two one week setbacks, one because of his lungs not sounding good and the other because his port had moved and was not longer placed correctly (that led toan extra surgery that we did not expect).
However, I'm happy to say that he only has one more treatment of the ABVD chemotherapy left.
It has definitely been a long road for us and I don't know that we would have been able to get through this six months without the love and support that we've gotten from our friends and family, both in person and through the computer.
Continued prayers and support are appreciated as we don't really know what comes next after his chemotherapy is over. He will have a PET scan on the 28th of November and then on the 2nd of December we will find out the results of that and also learn whether or not radiation therapy as a follow-up will be required.
2 people like this
14 responses
@marguicha (215428)
• Chile
17 Oct 11
I hope that everything will be fine with the next scans, dorann. My own chemo will end soon also, as I´m having the last one in November. My lymphoma is the kind that will not go away, but it has been reduced to half by the chemo and that is wonderful. I´m supposed to have chemo for years to come, but more spaced, if all goes well. I don´t want to think about far future, but I´m thinking about vacations after this ordeal is over.
As you say, the love and support I have had with my family and friends, and also (and so much) with my friends here, have been more than I expected or merited and the best of helps.
A big HUG for all of you and luck!
@marguicha (215428)
• Chile
19 Oct 11
I am perfectly aware that in these cases we have to find things to look forward to. Small things for the near future and bigger ones for a not so near one. I stopped thinking about the far future, but want to enjoy the present as much as I can. My garden, my sewing and cooking do help. And if all goes well in my last bone marrow test, I will put some money in home repairs. I it´s not good, it goes all for vacations. So, anyway, the future will be good
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
A vacation after all of this is over is something that I've been thinking about as well. Of course, we will have to wait until sometime next year to do that since our daughter is in school and he doesn't have any more paid time off for this year. But still, it does give something to look forward to.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
19 Oct 11
You know, I have to admit that at first I thought it was the end of the world, but I was very, very wrong on that one, it wasn't the end of the world. Instead, this entire ordeal has made me realize that we need to realize what we have today and appreciate it for what it is.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
17 Oct 11
My prayers for him and your family. Continue to have faith, and I am sure he will recover fully. A big hug and loads of smiles your way. 
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
I am optimistic that he is going to have a full recovery as well and it will be so rewarding once we get there. However, it is the getting there that is the hard part.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
19 Oct 11
I've definitely been trying to keep everyone up to date on his progress and what is going on with our family.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
Thank you so much, all of the thoughts that have been with our family through this have been greatly appreciated.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
17 Oct 11
iam so sending love and prayers to you and your little family girl. isnt hodgkins related to the nerves? lets hope the chemo has worked. im not sure where the radiation would be applied in hodgkins? 
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
It is related to the lymphatic system (lymph nodes). When we started he had several nodes with cancerous tissue in them. At the PET scan in July, there were only two that showed up with increased SUV uptake and that wasn't even high enough to be considered cancerous, so I have complete faith that the post-treatment scan will be clean.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
The relief that I'm feeling knowing that the treatments are almost over is extreme. I can't wait to see what our new version of normal is going to be.
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
17 Oct 11
Oh my time does tend to go fast and although not for you all, I am happy to hear it is almost done with the treatment.
Yes, I am always praying for you, your husband and family along with the many here who are also undergoing so much these days. You can count on my continued prayers and am grateful for the update. Best of luck and also hoping you are taking care of you as well as this has to be very difficult for you also. 
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
Through this whole ordeal there have been some times that have gone by quite quickly and others that have just crawled by. However, in the end it is all worth it knowing that I'll have my husband back.
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
18 Oct 11
I am glad it is almost over. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband. It is a lot to go through for both of you.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
It has been a lot for both of us to go through and it was made a little bit harder having our two children. However, we've almost made it and when we are there, we will be able to celebrate.
@kylanie (1205)
• United States
19 Oct 11
I hope and pray that all goes well with you and youre family I can imagine about the hospital visits I am going threw something like that my fiance has cirosis of the lliver so I hope and pray that he gets better and life will get better for youre family.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
19 Oct 11
With many things that have been going on with our family I really do see a light at the end of the tunnel. Not only is his treatment almost over, if everything goes according to our plans, we will also be able to pay off all of our credit card debt early next year and that will be one less thing that we will have to worry about financially.
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
18 Oct 11
dorannmwin,
Time certainly pass very fast and 6 months just seems like a while ago, I hope that all's well and will continue to be so.
Do be careful with every aspect of his recovery from henceforth. Take care and God bless.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
Oh, we will definitely be careful and do all of the follow-up that is necessary. I would like for him to have his health back and to be able to keep things that way in the future.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
Thank you. I have faith that it will go as we hope that things will be.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
18 Oct 11
You have already been through so very much as a family and you will get through this. My prayers have always been with you and will continue. Keep strong
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
I believe that if we've made it this far that there is no question that we will make it through the rest of it. Even after his remission has been confirmed, I will still need to have prayers for our family because there is always that chance of a relapse.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
18 Oct 11
Although you've already been through a lot, I know that you still feel that there's still a lot that you and your family has to go through still.
I hope that before the year ends, it will all be good news for your husband. Just in time for Christmas.
My thoughts and prayers I send your way!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
19 Oct 11
That is kind of my thinking as well. We will hopefully be getting a great gift this year for Christmas in knowing that he is in remission from the cancer. We still have several years of scans and such to go, but I've also been able to learn from this happening in our lives as well.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
18 Oct 11
I am glad to be there for you and Tom. I will continue to pray for you and him and the family. I wish you the best and congratulate you on being a strong woman. I am sure that this has not been an easy road for you or your family.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
Though I really don't think that the kids fully understand what our family has been through, for me it has been very difficult and there have been times that I've felt like giving up, so I can only begin to imagine what Tom has felt at times.
@clearwater18 (695)
• Philippines
18 Oct 11
That's good to hear that chemotherapy is almost over. Continue to have him checked even after the treatment. I hope he'll get better. I'll include him in my prayers. Continue to pray to God and have faith in Him.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 11
Oh yeah, I know that follow-up care is just as important as the care during the treatments. We will continue to be in close contact with the oncologist for at least the next five years.
