A Patient’s Perspective

on Lymphoma

Melanie Phillips

February 2008: • Feeling unwell, tired and

generally miserable!• GP visits: never same

doctor twice• 6+ months of investigation

Nov 2008:• Found a permanent GP• Referral to Haematology

Unit at Wythenshawe• Progress at last!

Summer 2008: planning a trip round the world

Investigation and DiagnosisNovember - December 2008

Investigations at Wythenshawe Hospital continue

Blood tests, bone marrow biopsy (ouch!), chest X-ray and Lymph Node biopsy

January 4th 2010:

Diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma

And referral to Christies

(and date of scheduled departure for round the world trip)

December 13th – Mel’s Leaving Do becomes ‘Mel’s not leaving do’

Treatment

January 2010:

Consultation with Christies Team

Joined Clinical Trial

February 6th:

First Chemotherapy

I set up a facebook blog and online calendar to keep friends and family up to date

Treatment

February • 6 cycles of 2 doses

of ABVD• Neulasta injections

at start as part of clinical trial

• Support from friends, family online ‘Buddies’ &

BeechwoodJennifer : My Facebook pal and fellow patient across the Atlantic

TreatmentGood bits:

• Great support from Nurses

• Lots of positive assurance about outcomes

• Regular contact with GP• Still getting out and about lots!• Still smiling!• Still got hair (well mostly)!

Bad bits • Waiting times at hospital on

treatment days• Smell of hospital• Anticipatory Nausea• Chemotherapy – length of time

Feb 2009: bring me sunshine!

Treatment

Summer • Chemo continues,

good time for short hair! (and being out in the garden to lift spirits)

• Chemo every fortnight- gruelling but starting to feel improvements

June 2009:

• End almost in sight

• Weddings and wigs!

July

• Finished chemo after straight ‘run’ of treatment

October 2009

• Cycling to radiotherapy each day

• 10 sessions, daily Monday to Friday for 2 weeks A mid- radiotherapy weekend in Paris!

Happy Travels!

2010

• Back to reality – back to work- Fewer holidays!

• quarterly check-ups• Team on hand with any

questions or worries

• Feeling good!

ANY

QUESTIONS?