Patrick's Hodgkin Lymphoma Story: 'I Thought it was a Cold or Allergies' | The Patient Story

Patrick was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma after he had trouble breathing and a dry cough. Having always been athletic, his breathing started to get heavy while training for a marathon and he couldn’t continue to run. After an anniversary trip with his wife, his symptoms got worse.

After initially being diagnosed with asthma, an X-ray showed something in his chest that prompted a CT scan and then a PET scan, which eventually showed a 3 cm lymph node.

In this conversation, he shares undergoing 12 sessions of ABVD chemotherapy over six months, experiencing side effects and how he strived to stay positive and maintain hope.

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[crosisofborg]

I’m 40 years post Hodgkins and still going strong. Hang in there.

[brendasnow]

I’m so happy that you’re cancer free! My husband had his chemo for stage 3C colon cancer on Fridays at three. He was down for the count all weekend, then went to work every day. He even went on business trips, but I went along because he was very weak. His company would have given him generous time off, but he wanted to work. They allowed him to come in late, leave early, and sometimes take a quick nap. Chemo for an entire year. He was 54 and lived until he was nearly 82.

[karenglenn]

I lost my darling best friend in April 1997 aged just 34 to Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. She left 2 little girls, aged 2 and 12. She was such a strong, vibrant, funny, talented, loyal and loving human being and I truly never believed that she would not beat this. It was a shock when she went into a coma at home. I went and sat with her, told her so many things that I loved about her and what she meant to me, fully believing that she would wake up. Her little 2 yr old daughter Grace came in saying “mummy, mumma” and there was no reaction from her at all, and then I knew and started to sob. I miss that girl every day of my life, and love her so much, my darling Meredith. We didn’t get to grow old together as we planned, drinking champagne on the deck at Andrea’s and all laughing together. I know I will see you again my adored friend. Until then, I can just love you and be grateful for you in my life. You were such a blessing to me, and to my family darling girl.

[JosephineNuttall]

My husband is 40 years survived too and still filling our lives with giggles. We bless every day and send lots of love to you and special blessings xx❤

[alison]

Patrick seems like the type of guy who wouldn't think this of himself, but, my guy, YOU are an absolute WARRIOR!!!! What an awesome perspective to have after all that....if you feel like moving, do it, even if it's a little bit. I like this guy so much.

[mkeegan]

Patrick: It was so great to hear of your successful treatment. This October 7th, I will celebrate the 37th anniversary of my diagnosis with Hodgkin’s stage 2B, at the age of 33.
I started out with a bad cough, and pressure around around my windpipe. I also had that telltale lump near my collarbone. I was somewhat concerned, because my sister in law had similar symptoms before her HL diagnosis.
I also began to run a fever of about 101 degrees every afternoon for about 8 weeks prior to my diagnosis.
After I had the official diagnosis, my brother called my sister in law’s oncologist in Manhattan, and I had an appointment for two days later. At that visit, the oncologist outlined the treatment plan. I was to receive both radiation and a multi-drug chemotherapy regimen. Chemo was weekly in the doctor’s office, not the hospital. He had lab people who would take your blood and run it through a machine, so the doctor would know what you numbers were. I Ireceived the drugs injected into my right hand. After I was through with the drugs, he outlined a regimen of pills (including prednisone). That first week, before the actual treatment began, he gave me a prescription for a drug that he said would make me feel better (and I did).
He called me that Sunday morning, just to see how I was doing, and he also gave me his home phone number to call if I had any questions.
All in all, the treatment took about a year.
You will probably have follow up visits to catch long term side effects of the treatment, but I’m sure your oncologist will refer you to the right people.

I also changed my career after I had my treatment. I took the plunge and became a teacher. After serving for 27 years, I retired a number of years ago.

Patrick—you have a lot of life to look forward to. Enjoy and stay healthy….

[jdplumber]

I was 35 years old when I was diagnosed with stage 2A Hodgkin's lymphoma. I had very similar symptoms to you. I got a ct scan and I had a tumor in my chest and neck and the one in my chest was pushing on my trachea and I had to be intubated and was in the icu for almost 3 weeks on a ventilator. I did 6 months of chemo and ended up beating the cancer. I am gonna be turning 40 in January and I am still cancer free.

[patriotdefender]

30 year survivor of stage IVB Hodgkins. Had hundreds of infected nodes throughout my body. Did MOPP/ABV, 6 weeks of high dose radiation, and I had my spleen removed. Still alive today 2024! Hang in there, Brother Patrick! You’ll do great!

[rollinginthedeep]

My mom survived Hodgkins Lymphoma when I was just a kid. I've got 3 siblings and she must have been so strong to fight through that when she knew her little ones needed her. I hope all the survivors who see this comment know how strong you are and how grateful your loved ones are to still have you around. You're amazing!

[andreamcdonald]

I am so happy that you beat this cancer. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. May God bless you and your wife.

[donnaa]

Congratulations to being Cancer free! I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma stage 2. Had a huge lump on my neck, and under my arm, stayed sick all the time. I had the tumor from my neck removed, cancer was all in my chest !That’s was 1999 after chemo, radiation treatments cancer free now for 24 years. My son was diagnosed at age 8 with bone cancer previous to mine! So glad to see your doing well! Xoxoxo

[timetraveller]

I have been diagnosed with with non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in my lymph nodes, I have no symptoms or pain and mri scan picked it up whilst having my back scanned I’m just being observed for the meantime as I’m in the very early stages, I know that the day will come when I have to start treatment and begin to fight back, I’ve never smoked, don’t drink, try to eat healthy, do a lot of dog walking sleep well, and it came out of nowhere, non of my family have ever had it and I’m aware that I may lose my hair and have bad days I was glad to see your upload, it was very good of you to share your situation with us, I value your time and effort, I will keep looking at your updates and follow your progrsss, I wish you all the very best from Norman in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[kloun]

Thanks to everyone who gave some positive comments. I decided to share my story for yall and other survivors. Thank you.

Sadly, there are a few negative comments. If you have nothing but negatively to spread on a positive outcome. I'm sorry and I hope you get through what you are going through. If my story bothered you. You don't have to watch.

[PartyAnimalPartyBand]

Inspirational brother. I am going through the start of this process right now for hodgkins 2b. Thank you for giving me hope. I truly appreciate it.

[georgeyao]

The same thing happened when I got chemo for testicular cancer. This is my 3rd life. I have had 2 bad accidents prior to cancer. Cool bro. I also beat cancer. I feel after cancer everyday is more precious and a new beginning. God is looking out for you. We survived for a reason. Best of luck.

[paulachin]

So glad your cancer free. A lady I worked with had two bouts of hodgkins lymphoma and been cancer free now for over 15 years.

[freespiritwithnature]

I'm so happy you were able to be PROACTIVE .People never ignore your gut.

[happytripclub]

It's very important that the family of the cancer patients has full support.

[sallymccoy]

What an inspiration you were to me in this documentary. Thank you for sharing your cancer journey. It gives those fighting "HOPE". Praying you are still cancer free.🙏🏼🎗🎗

[kormika]

My husband has had non Hodgkin lymphoma Burkitt lymphoma the very aggressive type.
He had 6 months intensive chemo 8 spine chemo 😢.
And thankfully he went to remission from 2015 and still living his healthy life 💕