Hodgkin's Lymphoma Support Group

Hello!
Within the past month, I too have been diagnosed with Stage 2B Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I saw no reason to get a second opinion because:
1. I have experienced Hodgkin's Lymphoma symptoms since Spring of 2009. Back 3 years ago, I had 2 Internal Medicine doctors look at my blood work and listen to my symptoms. My symptoms went away but returned the following spring in 2010. And then in spring of 2011, I had a new symptom, an unexplained rash that migrated around by upper body. This symptom, the rash, also remained a mystery to my Internist. Hodgkin's disease was not diagnosed until I went to the ER for sudden onset of dizziness and nausea on Easter Sunday 2012.

2.In my case, a lung x-ray during my visit to the ER, showed the abnormal position of my trachea. After Cat Scans and an MRI, a mass was found in the mediastinum. Later the biopsy revealed Reed-Sternberg cells in the mass which concludes the diagnosis of Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I believe there are a 4 to 5 sub- types.

3. The hospital I went to for ER and later surgery, etc. has been amazing. This rather new hospital is a healthy environment, always private rooms, healthy food that you order from "Room Service". The Main Dining Area has great ambiance with an outside eating area, and sometimes classical music played on the Grand Piano. The visionaries who dreamed up this place were really thinking outside the BOX and continue in this direction. Therefore, I have great respect for the Doctors' diagnosis and treatment plan.

4. While in the hospital, I gained respect for the staff and doctors of this hospital (my past experience in a different and much smaller local hospital was not good).The Hospital Staff (Nursing, Housekeeping, Transportation, ICU, etc.) respect their patients. Really... They have to pass personality tests to work at this location! I'm certain they have much training in this area.

So that's why I went with the suggested treatment: 4 cycles of ABVD Chemo Therapy. I have been through 1 treatment, just 8 days ago. Gotta go, more later.

I agree with not needing a second opinion. Most of the stuff out there on second opinions is dealing with the treatment for more advanced cancers that have lots of options and a smaller percentage of success (ie: you need to get it right the first time).

Hodgkin's treatment is pretty uniform. If you look around here, everyone is getting the same treatment (ABVD), with the same number of cycles (based on stage and success of treatment).

I think you'll be fine not getting one. Do you really need to pay to have a second doctor say you're 2A and going to need 4-6 cycles of ABVD.

I am someone that hates change and wanted to stay with my original oncologist because that's all I knew. However, she was not a lymphoma specialist. A few of my friends recommended a lymphoma specialist at another hospital. I figured a second opinion couldn't hurt so I made one (even though it was going to take about a month for me to get in). I was FLOORED once I met him and his case manager, saw the treatment facility, and found out about his credentials. I also found out that my original oncologist was consulting with him about my case. I kind of felt bad switching but its nice to be with the best of the best.