'I went through every emotion possible. Why me? Why now?'
Holly was 25 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.
This is her story...
November 1st 2022 is a day I'll never ever forget. A day I heard the words 'Hodgkins Lymphoma'.
When I was 20 weeks pregnant, I found a lump in my neck. After my previous pregnancy, I'd found a couple of lumps and bumps which ended up being fine, so I thought the lump on my neck was just another swollen lymph node. Sadly, after an ultra sound and biopsy, I discovered this was not the case.
At 25 weeks pregnant I was sat down by a doctor and a Macmillan nurse and told the news: I had cancer.
As you can imagine, it's not the news anyone wants to hear, let alone when pregnant.
From this day my family and I went through every emotion possible. Why me? Why now?
After various biopsies and tests, I was told to delay treatment. I was Stage 2a and so it was safe to wait and be induced at 36 weeks. After a long 11 weeks, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and began chemo the following week.
I am currently on ABVD treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma. Every Thursday afternoon I attend my chemo session and, do you know what, I love it.
The staff, the patients, are just amazing. It's not a sad or depressing atmosphere at all.
So far I haven't felt too bad apart from the odd weird and wonderful side effect. I do find that the first five days after chemo are my worst days; nausea and tiredness really do play a big part. But after that, I have been feeling OK.
So far 'mum life' hasn't been affected too much. I am juggling a baby (now 4 months) and a 3 year old, who was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Thankfully, I have been able to fulfil my mum duties. I usually try and avoid children's parties the first weekend after chemo, but to be fair it's quite a good excuse to send my husband instead!
I found out on after my fifth session that all of my tumours have reduced in side. I hope as I approach the end of my treatment that my symptoms don't worsen, but we shall see.
Let's hope this 'bump in the road' will be over very shortly.
Holly x
