Life is unpredictable! I started becoming sick from February of 2020. My condition was ruining day by day with no symptoms besides a very bad cough that lasted for a month. I was 23 and 3 months into my marriage when I was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma (HL) in October of 2020. I am from a country where the healthcare system is broken. My CT-scan showed a 6.5cm lump in my chest (i.e mediastinal lymphnodes) and it was misdiagnosed as Tuberculosis in my country.
I started taking TB medications for 6 months straight. I only came to know that my condition is getting worse when I felt a lump on my neck right behind the collar bone. I then began to understand something is not okay with my body. I never lost any bodyweight nor did I gain any. With no any symptoms, later I was eventually diagnosed with blood cancer.
I went to my neighboring country (India) in the hope of better treatment. There, the PET scan report showed a lump on my neck, chest (7.5cm after the delayed treatment) and stomach making my cancer a stage 3 lymphoma. They took out the lump that was on my neck to perform a biopsy and IHC, which later confirmed HL.
After the confirmation of HL a PICC Line was inserted in my left arm for the medication (chemotherapy).The oncologist planned for six cycles of ABVD chemotherapy for six months (1 cycle=2 round of chemotherapy). I dealt with a lot of side effects, some of which I don't even remember now. The most difficult side-effect to deal with was the hair loss. There's no doubt cancer breaks you down physically, mentally and emotionally but also it teaches you so many things about life. You will understand what life is.
Early detection is very important to take control of this disease. Please don't ignore any signs & symptoms. And if you're going through this tough time, have faith and keep your hopes high, and be determined. Fight this battle like a hero and you will surely see a light at the end of the tunnel.
After six cycles of chemotherapy, I'm in remission now. Let's raise awareness together from different parts of the world. Let's unite against this disease and for our fighters out there.
Harshha
Lymphoma Survivor
