<< n a message dated 9/10/98 5:37:26 PM, Mushroo909 writes:
<<Hey Linda-
Who has Hodgkins- Your daughter? Sorry I haven't met you. I'm Karen and have
had Hodgkin's That was 15 yrs. ago. Now for the past 3 yrs. I have had
Transverse Myelitis. I am happy to report that things will get better! I know
from experience that it's scarey and tough. Let me know if I can help.
You're in my heart and prayers Karen>>
Hi Karen and hello, all friends!!
I was encouraged by a friend (thanks Bob!) to pop in once in a while to say
hi and let you all know how I'm doing.......and how Kris is doing!!
So....since Karen asked today too....here I am!! And it's nice to meet you,
Karen!
I just took a while and went thru some of the archives. My goodness....our
*little club* has grown, hasn't it? Such a shame actually.....but I know how
wonderful the support can be! I see many *old faces*......and such a large
number of members I don't know. To those, I say "hi" and pardon me while I
barge in here for a minute! ;-)
Yes, Karen, my 27-year-old daughter, Kris, was diagnosed with Hodgkins in
March (thankfully Stage 1A). She had radiation therapy only......but with
very bad effects, I'm afraid. She wasn't able to eat for 6 weeks towards the
end, was on IVs at home, and was still vomiting 10-12 times a day. Several
weeks after the radiation was completed, she still wasn't able to keep
anything down and ended up in the hospital and had a feeding tube put in for a
week. Then she began to improve and I'm thrilled to say that she's doing
well, in remission, and has returned to teaching this month!! She is trying
to make up for lost time......but gets a bit more tired than she wants to
admit to!! She did go whitewater rafting for two days the end of August and
is walking in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk the end of this month (along
with her sister, her boyfriend and a few friends) She'll walk the last 3
miles while her sister and the others will do half the marathon.....13 miles!!
My two daughters have also found an apartment and will be moving out on
Saturday!! Will be nice for them to live together for a while!! This was a
very traumatic for them.....and I think they both need a new start on life!!
I'm doing well.....altho' the months of caring for Kris and taking her to
radiation every day did take a toll on my legs and back. But things are
calming down now, so I can take it easy!!
Karen, I got TM in 1981 and was paralyzed at the time. Thankfully, the
paralysis didn't last and I'm able to get around.....altho' with pain (as most
of us do). My story still sits in the archives.....waaaaaay back towards the
beginning!!! ;-) You certainly have had your hands full with both HD and TM!
My heart goes out to you!
Thanks for letting me stop by and chat for a bit, friends!!
God bless you all!!!
Hugs,
Linda >>