Hodgkin's Lymphoma Support Group

Haha, don't worry, its a lot better than a peripheral Injection (IV into skin) So the pain from the site is one less thing to worry about. :)

Im not really sure how to prepare b/c i had a port in my arm, but i heard they are way less maintenance

all the best!

LOL. Based on how blunt you are about it sucking I think your alot like me. I don't think you CAN prepare your body for this. It has a mind of its own. But let me say it is not as bad as I expected. I am on my 5th of 12 and and my side effects are not horrible. Yes my hair started to come out like crazy 3 weeks into it but never have I been bed ridden from not being well. I found that after the first time I felt the worst my mouth tasted metally and my tongue had some swelling felt sick but after a few days it past and then only now a bit nauses, tired, just crappy for a few days. Then withing week I feel like my old self. I still work full time and go to the gym even when I dont feel 100% because it is still possible to do. Food does not have the much taste anymore but it does not stop me. LMAO! I am also on Neupogen after the first time because of low white blood cell count. Also first time had side effects of bone pain but after than nothing. Positive thoughts and keeping my life as normal as possible could have alot to do with it. I make treament days and adventure. I live on Long Island and have to go into Manhatten so I make sure I either shop or see something interesting before I go so I feel it is not about the treatment but something else. How many treatments do you have to have? I hope you are as lucky as me with the side effects because Yes the whole thing does suck the doing treatment, not feeling like yourself, all of it but time goes fast in our lives and before you know it this too shall pass :) This time next year it will be just a memory.

I think the problem is that when you speak to your consultant and / or the encology team they are never going to say to you "it's not that bad, just a few side effects, blah blah blah' because chances are if they do then you will struggle. Much better to go into it thinking... I'm going to fight this, and I'm just going to get on with my life.

Just like Clueless, I didn't find it that bad at all. I've had worse hangovers! One time I had to go to bed immediately after the treatment with some shivers and nausia, but that only lasted a few hours.

Chin up. It will be over before you know it. And if you do struggle, then just come on here!

I'll be honest. For me, it sucked. I seemed to have it worst than most of my "chemo buddies" that I befriended during the ordeal. However, I'm on the other side now and I feel totally normal. Three months ago I was convinced I would never have a normal life again. So...I'm not posting this to be negative or to scare you. I am posting this to prove to you that if you have a rough time with ABVD, you will be FINE afterwards. I had every nuisance side effect in the book (no bleo lung problems, thank God). Hang in there. It's a crappy way to spend six months of your life, but you'll soon be on the other side and back to enjoying all aspects of your life. All my best to you!

I'm going to keep it real with you I don't mean to scare you, BUT I WAS SICK AS A DOG I THOGUHT I WAS GONNA DIE FROM THE ABVD TREATMEANT! Everyone is different but the feeeling of me dieing only lasted about 4 days after treatmeant then I felt fine. Some people don't feel as bad they take it like it's nothing I just didn't unfortunately. I don't think there is anyway to prepare for the chemo only from a mental stand point STAY STRONG AND KNOW THAT THIS TREATMEANT WANT LAST FOREVER!