My Hodgkin Lymphoma Diagnosis: 'I Didn't Think it was Anything' | Josh's Story | The Patient Story

Josh was only 26 years old when he was diagnosed with 4B Hodgkin's lymphoma. After experiencing night sweats, fatigue, and an enlarged lymph node in his neck, Josh went to the Emergency Room. A lymph node biopsy and PET scan determined he had stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma, with a subtype of nodular sclerosis.

In this story, Josh shares his journey, including processing the diagnosis, undergoing chemotherapy, and leaning on his support system.

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[rosemarieherman]

I was diagnosed with HL in 1980 at 24 yo. I’m going to be 68 next month and I pray that you will live a long and healthy life. 🌹🌹

[bonniecoakley]

My daughter was diagnosed with HL at age 24, only one year after getting married. She is an RN and brushed off all her symptoms until she had trouble breathing. She had a large mediastinal tumor that was causing her shortness of breath. She had her first chemo on the day before Thanksgiving 2001 and finished in May of 2002. Here we are almost 21 years later and she is still cancer free.

[neliaeppcoo]

Stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma survivor going on 6 years……stay strong

[MsGail]

I had it in 1992 at 31. Tomorrow I turn 62, so I’ve doubled my life since then. My main symptom was a cough, so I had open chest surgery to remove a mass around my thymus.

[crosisofborg]

I only had swollen lymph nodes. No other symptoms at all. I was stage 3A nodular sclerosing Hodgkin’s disease. Been cured for 40 years.

[wallycruz]

I ‘m so happy you got this taken care quick! For years I complain to my primary and he didn’t do anything. When to the ER a year ago with a really horrible stomach pain and they said I lite up like a Christmas tree after my scan but they didn’t tell me I had cancer just to follow up with my doctor. He didn’t do a thing! When back this year 2023 and they compared the second scan and hospitalized me, had a biopsy done and found I have stage 4 non Hodgkin’s. This was in January went to the cancer center and my doctor would not start me on anything she kept saying chemo was too harsh for me that my immune system was too low. When on q vacation came back had a sonogram and my tumors grew 3 times the size. She started me on a clinical trail shot targeted to kill the cancer. Today was my second dose and I’m staying positive & hopeful. I’m the only one being treated that have never been on any med’s. Praying that this shot that hasn’t been approved by the FDA helps everyone with lymphoma. 🙏🏼 God is in control.

[TheBryana]

I was diagnosed with stage 4 ALCL in Sep of last year, completed 7 rounds of R-CHOP and have been in remission for 3 months so far! I started treatments 2 days after my diagnoses so I completely relate to the urgency and anxiety that follows a cancer diagnoses! It is a long, tiring journey but by keeping your spirits high, remission is closer than you think! For bone pain, claritin and tylenol is what helped me most! 64oz of water a day is super important during treatment as well!

[Gizmo]

My Friend is currently in the ER with those same symptoms .. he had labs yesterday and his numbers were way off, and she feared his spleen would rupture. When I researched non traumatic spleen ruptures and near ruptures, Lymphoma was the first possibility listed, he is all yellow, and has been loosely weight fast over the past few months. I am praying they have gotten to him in time. I pray that you are well soon!

[SeeingHimNow]

My bff was diagnosed at 24 in 1986. She went into remission after a hard battle with non Hodgkin’s lymphoma and lived a full life. She passed in 2014 from totally unrelated illnesses. Hang tough!!

[loganengels]

Got diagnosed with HL in April, 2021 at the age of 22. Got off the chemo in November that same year. Been in remission since and I go in in a few days to make sure I’m still in remission! Currently 24 and living strong so far! Best of luck to anyone going through this! Thank you for sharing your story, Josh, definitely was able to relate to you with your journey, especially being the youngest one in the room by 50 years, lol. I was stage 3, luckily, my symptoms weren’t really that bad. Some rounds of chemo were better than others.

[lorimac]

I survived uterine cancer because there is only one symptom and when I had it, I went to the ER immediately. Yeah, at 63 I woke up having my period! And then, yes, everything happens really fast.

I was SO damn lucky because it was contained in my uterus and I only needed a hysterectomy. I am grateful. I admire people like this guy who are so strong and courageous. ❤

Pay attention to anything different in your body. Act ASAP. Get more than one opinion if necessary. It’s your life!

[pdmarie]

My oldest brother was diagnosed with Hodgkin's in the 80's and died at 24 from it. Glad you're doing well.

[andith]

My daughter has a friend with Hodgkin Lymphoma for more than 20 years, so, there is hope!

[natashahackley]

On Christmas I was diagnosed with stage 4 HL just Ike this and exact same treatment hearing your story has helped me set aside so many fears I’m 28 and can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel iv got 6 months and I hope I can make this video and be better on the other side. Thank you

[elizabethorsillo]

I was diagnosed with HL in 1993 at age 22. My most prevalent symptom was very intense itching. It was so bad that I dug holes in my skin. I had two doctors (one was a dermatologist) tell me that I had scabies! My first doctor eventually noticed my neck was swelled up. I had a bunch of swollen lymph nodes, and he did a chest X-ray which showed a mass about the size of an orange. He sent me to the surgeon who did a lymph node biopsy, and it showed I had Hodgkin Lymphoma. After some CT scans, a gallium scan (they didn’t have PET scans back then), and a bone marrow biopsy, I was in stage two. I had nine months of chemotherapy and 6 weeks of radiation. I was cancer-free in the spring of 1994 and have been so ever since!

[richardhutchison]

This sums up so many of my own thoughts and feelings. The hardest thing is to keep your identity after diagnosis intact. You made me smile, laugh and cry. Thanks and stay well Josh!

[nostalgiataxi]

been watching a lot of these videos because i'm getting tested for cancer... my parents died young, my dad died a few years ago of cancer and all i want in life is to live a long life that they couldnt achieve. i've been so scared that i might have cancer the anxiety has been overwhelming me constantly

[momsmushroomsjodyfoster]

Those pictures of you standing there drenched at night! That’s me totally! I don’t have any swollen lymph nodes that I’m aware of. But, fatigue and miserable night sweats

[scaredyfish]

I’m here because Hank Green just announced he has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and in the video he mentioned some things that I am also experiencing. I’ve noticed enlarged lymph nodes for a while but I figured I would feel worse if it were something serious.

I had a doctors appointment last week about something else, and I *almost* mentioned it, but the doctor didn’t say the magic words ‘anything else?’, and so I chickened out and figured I’d bring it up another time.

Thanks to these videos I’m taking it more seriously, and I now have another appointment scheduled. I’m trying not to jump to conclusions, but it’s scary.

[sj]

Well done fella! My dad has just been diagnosed with this disease. My fingers are crossed for him.