My son is 21 and was diagnosed with HL stage 2B in April. He is also in the USMC FAST CO. My son fought so hard to get in the elite special forces and months after he graduated was diagnosed with HL.
My son has gone through chemo and his results after are what has me in a panic. My son will be getting stem cell transplant with radiation.
I am in such a panic I can't express in words. I haven't talked about it at all to my friends, or family. Nov 2009 my SIL was diagnosed with lung cancer she died in my arms in July 2010. So because of my SIL condition we have kept our son's condition quiet until after her furneral. We still don't talk about it because everyone is still mourning my SIL.Because of this it now a habit and probably why I am breaking down. We would go from my SIL and drive 10 hours to our son to give support.I lost my SIL hours after we got back from seeing our son and moving him in a home close to the hospital.
My son is handeling this better than me and although I am so proud of him, I feel ashamed that I am so emotional. I forgot to mention I broke my ankle in Jan 2010 and trying to walk the long hospitals was a challange. I just needed to get that all out. I hate pity.
I am trying to set up an appointment with my doctor to remove the two plates in my ankle and another appointment to find something to calm me down.I am losing it fast. Thanks for the support you all give to everyone because it is so needed.
Hello there! First and foremost, I am so sorry for your loss and express my sincerest condolences. As well, everything you are experiencing in terms of your emotions is so normal, as you've had to deal with so much over the past year. You are human and can only take so much, you need to get it all out, and know that we are here to "listen". I know that your son will get through this and come out stronger on the other end of it, most especially with such a positive attitude and with your love and support.
Know that we are here for you, please share anything anytime. Sending your son tons of healthy healing energy. You and your son are in my thoughts and prayers.
It took me a couple of days to calm down and a also talk with my doctor to give me something to help with my stress. I just hate watching him go through so much pain. I don’t open up much about my feeling with my friends or family so this is my support for now.
Dear Toms Mom
When our child gets sick and we have no control over it and we cant heal them ourselves we think its something we didnt do or something we should of done. Cancer doesnt care who you are or what you do or how old your are or how much your are loved, this diease cancer thinks its about its self and will try to win. Your Son sounds like he is very strong willed. Joining the special forces just shows how strong he really is. You should call ur dr. and tell him what you are going thru and he will help you out. This an very emotional diease. So as I told my family we are getting a roller coaster ride for a while and when it stops there will be a light at the end of the tunnel and we can get off. That was 15 years ago when I had a stem cell transplant my 16 yr is comming up this may 8th 2011. In real life my age is 52 in stem cell life Iam only 16. You son will stand strong like a warrior does. Good Luck this web site has alot of supporters just vent when you need to.
Kim
Tommy's mom - As some on this board know, I am a 30 year survivor of stage 3 HL. I was treated in 1980/81 and have been just fine ever since. Doctors have a good handle on this and your son has an excellent chance of total cure. And if he's a marine he must be a fighter, and that's all good. Hang in there and let us know how it's going, ya'll will be fine.
It helps to know that there are surviors here. I am so bless in many ways but going through a difficult fight now. My son is suffering and is mom is losing it. Now we just can’t have that! Thanks for your reply.
Still more confusion, now they are saying my son will get ICE treatments, then Stem Cells taken out then BEAM then Stem Cells are put back in. I am very confused as to how this will hurt my son. Will he get very ill? Will he be in the hospital long?
Hi! I'm new here, and can't give you any info or advice, but sure do share your fears! My 15 year daughter is a newly diagnosed Hodgkin's patient... She is still being staged and it looks like she will be a III or IV. We are so counting on the treatments to work for her I can't imagine the fear you are facing looking at the next step in this process. My husband does have a cousin and she is a 25 year survivor so we are hoping for the best. I am wishing your son all the best and you are both in our prayers.
Faith is how we get here and learn how to stand strong. how is ur leg. I wish that my husband would come on board to talk about being the care taker. its not easy with all the ups and downs at this point more downs than up but the ups will come. I pray for all my warriors every night.
Hi Klovely they will decide on thr 16th if my plates come out Ty for asking. I just can't stand to see my boy suffer. I am trying to be brave and have faith but I held my sister as she died. It wasn't peaceful. I know I need faith. My fear overpowers it.
I hope that your faith in your son will take away the fear, he will be good its a process. I will be praying for you and your son that all goes well for both of you. You sound a little stronger this time in your writings.
Tommy's mom - it is worse for the family, or was for mine. I recovered with chemotherapy and radiation alone. I have heard that stem cell is harder work, but your son is a harder man than I am, and will deal with it. Not only that, he will be trying to support you through his illness, which defies logic, but happens.
When we knew I had a chest tumour, but but before we found it was HL, I went to see my chest specialist. After we had finished, I suggested lunch in a country pub. My wife burst into tears. We had both sat through the same appointment and heard the same words from the same doctor, but I heard "Tumour hasn't grown", she heard "Tumour hasn't shrunk". End result? I went home hungry, even though history has proved me right.
You would be a poor mother if you were not worried, but remember that Hodgkins is curable. I am sorry for your loss of your sister in law, and understand your keeping your son's illness quiet, but now is the time to be supported yourself. Tell someone - you may find they know already, and don't want to upset you by mentioning it. If not - stick with this forum. Someone will have had this problem before.
Your son's illness is his enemy. Marines know what to do.
