Hodgkins Stage 3B - Failed Remission

Hi - My partner has been having ABVD chemotherapy since Dec 04. Unfortunately, towards the end of his treatment he started getting progressive symptoms back and it turns out it has travelled therefore he has to start 2nd line chemotherapy next week. Also, he has nodules on his lungs but we are going for another scan today to find out more about that. We know the prognosis has now gone down to 50/50. We have 2 lovely children and a very supportive family around us. He hasn't stopped working and is very positive. I just wanted to speak to someone who has had/still has stage 3B Hodgkins Disease where the first set of treatment didn't work and has had to have 2nd line treatment. His new treatment is 3 cycles (as opposed to 6 last time) and then he has to be admitted into hospital for 3-4 weeks (not sure what for - all a bit of a blur at the moment but will ask the Professor when we return). Can anyone talk to me about it as I don't like talking to Spencer about it as he would rather not know. Thanks for your help. Christine

Hello, my name is stephen. I was diagnoced w/ stage 3b hodgkins mar 3,1999. I did the first line of treatment, chemo/radiaton without a single night stay in the hospital until I made it to remmision dec 1999. January, 2000 my symptoms came back and was told that a bone marrow transplant was necessary. The 2nd line treatment was a lot harder and required that I spend more time at the hospital. I will be 5yrs out on november 21, 2005.

If you have any questions about anything, please let me know.

I had stage 4b hodgkins with nodules on my lungs and liver as well. Although the treatment was not a lot of fun, I'm in remission. Tell that man of yours to keep his will power strong and to take lots of vitamins and eat well, even if he doesnt feel well. Now, this isn't scientific, but I firmly believe that will to live has a large part of recovery. Never give up.

Hi there.

Thanks so much for your message. He has started a new treatment now and has just finished his 2nd cycle. Has one more cycle to go and then a stem cell transplant. He is to be admitted for 3 weeks for high dose chemotherapy in Sep/Oct and will then receive his stem cell transplant. I will pass on your message. Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. It means a lot.
Kind regards - Christine x

Dear Christine,
Just found this site today and read your email from August about your partner going in for high dose chemo and a stem cell transplant. My partner also has Hodgkins' (a recurrence--original bout in 1998)and recently failed ABVD. She is now into one of two cycles of ICE before hopefully embarking on the high dose chemo/stem cell transplant.

I would really like to talk to someone who has been through what we are likely facing, so if you're still out there and have time and energy for a note, that would be great.

If not, I hope everything has gone well for you and your partner and that you are now putting this difficult phase of your lives behind you.

Lisa