My friend was diagnosed with cancer..off topic but need answers

[gma718]

I know this is a different cancer than ovarian but I was wondering if you wonderful women coul give me some insight as I am sickened over this....A friend of mine was suffering for 2 YEARS with a horrible debilatating itchy skin rash all over..she had seen many many doctors, had many many blood tests, told it was in her head...she has sores all over...noone diagnosed her right...she developed a lump in her neck and went right to ER last Saturday..well unfortunatley she has now been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma...from my knowledge I have read that the cure rate is high..they think she is at stage 2 but she underwent a bone marrow biopsy today and a pet-scan tomorrow to see exactly what is going on...I am appalled, angry,overwhelmed.sick,etc....over this...there is no test besides a biopsy to have determined this disease...just like OVCA..I dont get it...she has a 7 and 8 year old!!! I could not sleep all night worrying about her...for 2 years she has been seeking medical help and they were treating her for numerous skin rashes...WHAT THE %$^& IS WRONG WITH THIS DAMN WORLD!!!!! I HAVE BEEN CRYING SINCE YESTERDAY!!! We need to step up here and get the word out about CANCER!!!! All the money,research, trials where is it going..where is it leading us!!!!! The treatment plan will entail high dose chemo 2x a month for 6 months..i think it is ABVD??? Please give me some advise what I can do to help her deal with this..what will she need from me?? I will offer whatever I can...Please forgive me I know you are all going through your own ....I am just very worked up.......Thank you for letting me vent....please know that all of you are thought of by me everyday and my prayers are always with you all....Love, Gia :)

[lvfrogs]

Gia,
You sound like a wonderful friend. I am so sorry to hear about your friend and I will keep her and her family in myprayers. Please continue to let us know how she is doing.  As for helping her, I agree with the other women, don't wait for her to ask you for help, make dinners, help with the kids, go over and do her laundry, let her cry to you, just being her friend at this time will be wonderful for her.  I had a friend years ago (about 23 yrs.) that was diagnosed with Hodgekins lymphoma and she is doing wonderful today!  Hugs,
Colleen

[gma718]

Thank you so much for your inspiring story....I am praying hard and know in my heart that my friend will be okay....she has such a wonderful support system and I appreciate all of you on here for being so kind to me...Thanks....Gia :)

[fungirl1011]

Hi, I just wanted to share with you that the same thing happened to my cousin.  Two years ago, she had really itchy legs and bad sores.  She was diagnosed with dry skin and they gave her medicated lotion.  Well, after she was done with that, she still had the itchy skin so she was sent to a dermatologist and they gave her a different medicated lotion.  Well that April (or May I can't remember) she had a knot develope on her neck and she went to the doctor. They did a biopsy and she was diagnosed with Hodgskins Disease 2 days later.  She had chemo every week for about 2 or 3 months (I think.  It has been a few years).  When they repeated the CT-scan in late August there was no more cancer to be seen.  She has been in remitoin for about 2 years now.  

Also, my nephew had this when he was 3.  He is now 20, married and very healthy.  Your friend will come through this because she will have many people praying for her (and for you too).  Please keep us updated on how she is doing.  Sending hugs your way.

Hugs,
Kasie

[gma718]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart...you have no idea what it means to me to be able to share with you all....how you all manage to put your own problems aside to answer me is remarkable..i didnt know if posting here was the right thing to do...you are all such amazing, inspiring, women and I am so glad you are part of my life...thanks for all the input...right now we are at the waiting period to see what stage..they are assuming stage 2 but need all the tests back to be sure...thank you again..love, Gia

[withe]

So sorry to hear this. A few suggestions to help your friend, 1) don't wait for her to call
to ask for help. Child care, home cooked meals, shopping , driving to and from chemo treatments, sitting with her during chemo treatments, any assistance to help her maintain the normal routines in her home. Her treatments might make her very tried.
For my son, ( now 15, )  he knows he can talk with and about cancer with my friends... it has given him a safe space to vocalize his hurts, fears etc. Although your friends children are young thgey will know something is not quite right with "mom" and will need an adult friend to seek refuge with.  
I know it will be a hard journey to stay strong for her she is lucky to have you, just remember you as a care giver need support too. - Withe

[nyc lady]

Gia - as a kid, we were 16, a good friend of mine was diagnosed with stage 4 hodgkins...STAGE 4...and that was 30 plus years ago.....she has two beautiful children, her daughter is just about to graduate high school.  
It is very curable!!!!  VERY.

My thoughts are with you and your friend...all you can do is be there for her as we are here for you.

Love,
Pam

[msjazz]

I too am sorry to hear this. I don;t know anyone that has had this. However, as to what you can do, there is a lot. If she needs help with her children, or meals, or transportation, anytime you are free that is always helpful. If she needs a shoulder to lean on, but doesn't want to upset her family, just listening would help. There were times during treatment, I just needed to vent, but didn't want to upset my mom or husband. I had someone I could call, and once I had my little spell (usually a few tears), I would feel better. Just stay the friend that you obviously are. It will work out.  Donna

[ireneo]

I'm so sorry your friend is going through this. And I understand your anger and frustration. It seems that many doctors have a bit of trouble thinking outside the box. They see rash and think - send her to a dermatologist. Seems logical. And a long lasting rash - they think it must be stress related (in her head). I had a similar experience: had a weird rash that kept coming back. They gave me various creams that didn't help. One doctor told me to try transcendental meditation. I never went back to him.

The sister of a friend of mine (way back when) had Hodgkins and she was treated and lived for years. There's the hope you can hang onto. Let us know what the other tests show and let your friend know we're thinking of her. It helps to know people care. Hugs to you both.