Scott - Hodgkin Lymphoma
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Created on Monday, 06 August 2007 03:57
Scott tells how he faced Hodgkin's Lymphoma
In 1983 I had joined the US NAVY, completed boot camp, and OS "A" school, and had chosen the US Texas CGN-39 as my duty station. At the time, a flag ship, showboat, an awesome cruiser! I had planned to make a career of the service.
We were in the middle of a west-pac cruise when I had noticed my neck swelling, I went to the ships doctor who explained it as a cyst, I was born with it and It will be removed when we got back to the states. Three months later we returned to the states, and was sent to ENT, at Balboa naval hospital (the old one) who poked at it for about a month before I was sent to surgery.
A biopsy in my neck showed positive for Hodgkin's, stage III sub 2a.Then the tests begun. Because it showed up below my pelvis, the spleen didn't have to be removed. My duty had to be transferred to shore, I would like to note that I didn't feel sick, or physically limited, I just didn't know much about what they were talking about. I was extremely lucky to have been assigned to a doctor who did (Greg Guzzley Ltcdr) who I am deeply grateful to. He shared every bit of information he could, he answered every question I had. No beating around the bush, and a very educated man. Unfortunately overqualified for the Naval position he was in. I was phoning my family in Albuquerque on a regular basis. From him, my family, friends, and the local library, I found out every thing I could about Hodgkin's Disease and cures. Fortunately enough to get me through the rest of the process, and update numerous doctors of my condition.
I had started MOP chemo, 6 cycles, as an out patient to the clinic. The first six months I lived at balboa, 6th floor, and then was assigned duty on North Island after that. My counts were too low on three occasions, (They would build up by the next week or so), so it lasted longer than I anticipated.After the chemo,I was still showing, so the radiation had to be done, only 2400 rads in the neck area.
I have continued on with a fairly normal life.The only problems dealing with the side effects from treatments, I'm sterile, and dental problems. My wife had divorced me within the last few months stating that I couldn't give her children, this situation was presented prior to marriage, believe me, you have to lay your cards down,(I think it was the Racecar that did the marriage).
The children thing bothers me because Dr. Guzzly had told me about sperm banking prior to chemo, and I didn't do it. As you get older you learn the value of this advice. I've been talking to a single woman now with 2 children lately, this seems like a pretty good deal, all children need a father.
I won't get into too much detail of the complications I encountered through some of the Navy,& tests. Or the endless boards, rebuttals,& paperwork just to obtain just medical coverage should a relapse occur. It seems you have to have a dissability rating based on a physical, or mental illness to gain coverage. Hodgkins is neither. I spent a year over my obligated 4 years active duty waiting for answers. Maybe today they have this kind of situation figured out. The Veterans Administration helps me out now.
Although it seems things were tough, they could have been worse.and I couldn't give up on hope and a bright future.It really broke me the day I was diagnosed, I called my father first. I could barely get the words out to tell him what happened,he came right out to San Diego and spent some days with me. He was always there for me, a great man.
Its pretty tough when someone gives you odds on your life. Sometimes you can't change those numbers, but the numbers that are in your favor you have to make count twice as much.I knew that I had to have a good positive attitude through the whole thing, even when counts were too low, I knew inside I just needed a little extra time.I knew that I didnt need to be lying down in a hospital gown watching TV if I was able to wear street clothes and get around. (Some of the hospital staff had the wrong idea here.)I was there for the testing, treatment, and consults. The rest of the time I had a life to live,"get me outta here" I had to get an approval form signed before leaving the hospital grounds, and sent one in every chance I could. And through Dr. Guzzley even some time to fly home to see family.I was able to get my truck at that time, and drove it back to San Diego.I didnt ignor the fact that I had Hodgkins Disease, I just didnt let it stop me from doing things I wanted to do.
When they told me there were others diagnosed with Hodgkins in the hospital at the time, I was pretty exited, until I met them. It was sad. Of the ones I met, we were all going through the same treatment. All close to the same young age. They didn't get out much, poor attitudes, still in gowns, hair falling out, (I lost none through chemo). Totally depressing to see people just lose hope on the most curable type of cancer. I didnt need to be around this,Heck, they needed to come see the people they put me with on ward 6a, older folks, with more difficult problems. These people were fighters, they've been through it all,stubborn. And they weren't quitters, every one had the will to live,or they wouldn't have made it that far weather they admitted it or not. they hated the hospital, and reguardless, they were going to be home soon with their family. You have to have real values, and a trust. The doctors,this is there life its what they eat, sleep, and drink. I know, I used to eat at the hospital cafeteria down stairs,and just listen to some of the doctors conversations. Between them and the mechanics, I dont know who has more to learn daily.
I'm not going to tell you that the treatments were easy,I was single,no family living in San Diego, so the last four chemo treatments drove myself from North Island to Balboa, got chemo, and slept a little in the clinic before driving back to the barracks. There were times with the hot towels around both arms trying to get the veins up because of the amount of needles I've had in them.
And after chemo, extremely sick to my stomach, all day and night, near a bathroom. and that awful metalic chemical taste that root beer barrels can't even get rid of. But It would only last 1 day, for which I tried to sleep the whole thing off, so I could get back up with that behind me, I had people to see, places to go.and from the time I left the hospital (6 months inpatient)I had work to do in my own rate. They moved me, that was good medicine. At that time, I made rank, E-5 and almost E-6, recieved sailor of the quarter, and several accomadations. I qualified facility watch supervisor at a Fleet Area Control Station NAS North Island, a 4.0 sailor. They wanted me to stay, but at the time I felt the ships doctors innadequite to handle a relapse.
That was 15 years ago, and to date no relapse,(should have stayed in, I'd be coming on retirement). A couple close calls, that turned out, nothing to be concerned about. I check for nodes on occasion, it seems I forget I even have this disease most of the time. I believe in god, and his plan for me to continue living. He's there I know. Since the service, I've worked with General contractors, Electricians, Cable,Screenprinters,Sign companys,& I got a degree in advertising, I am an extremely gifted artist (so my family says),I race cars,(IMCA modifieds),and own my own business doing Signs, Airbrush, Illustrating, Vinyl graphics, computerized graphics, screen print designs, mostly relating to the racing. I still have alot of goals,I'm putting together a 66 Chevy panel van, and 65 pickup for the business.and the business keeps growing.
I feel in my mind that I've pretty much beat the disease, but I also know a lot about cancer in general and find myself more prepared than most, should anything happen to me at a senior age. I'm 37 now.I have semi annual check ups with a general doctor.
Life is good.
