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A Patient’s Perspective
on Lymphoma
Melanie Phillips
February 2008: • Feeling unwell, tired and
generally miserable!• GP visits: never same
doctor twice• 6+ months of investigation
Nov 2008:• Found a permanent GP• Referral to Haematology
Unit at Wythenshawe• Progress at last!
Summer 2008: planning a trip round the world
Investigation and DiagnosisNovember - December 2008
Investigations at Wythenshawe Hospital continue
Blood tests, bone marrow biopsy (ouch!), chest X-ray and Lymph Node biopsy
January 4th 2010:
Diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma
And referral to Christies
(and date of scheduled departure for round the world trip)
December 13th – Mel’s Leaving Do becomes ‘Mel’s not leaving do’
Treatment
January 2010:
Consultation with Christies Team
Joined Clinical Trial
February 6th:
First Chemotherapy
I set up a facebook blog and online calendar to keep friends and family up to date
Treatment
February • 6 cycles of 2 doses
of ABVD• Neulasta injections
at start as part of clinical trial
• Support from friends, family online ‘Buddies’ &
BeechwoodJennifer : My Facebook pal and fellow patient across the Atlantic
TreatmentGood bits:
• Great support from Nurses
• Lots of positive assurance about outcomes
• Regular contact with GP• Still getting out and about lots!• Still smiling!• Still got hair (well mostly)!
Bad bits • Waiting times at hospital on
treatment days• Smell of hospital• Anticipatory Nausea• Chemotherapy – length of time
Feb 2009: bring me sunshine!
Treatment
Summer • Chemo continues,
good time for short hair! (and being out in the garden to lift spirits)
• Chemo every fortnight- gruelling but starting to feel improvements
June 2009:
• End almost in sight
• Weddings and wigs!
July
• Finished chemo after straight ‘run’ of treatment
October 2009
• Cycling to radiotherapy each day
• 10 sessions, daily Monday to Friday for 2 weeks A mid- radiotherapy weekend in Paris!
Happy Travels!
2010
• Back to reality – back to work- Fewer holidays!
• quarterly check-ups• Team on hand with any
questions or worries
• Feeling good!
ANY
QUESTIONS?