Shelly,
My name is Vicki. I am 36 years old. Two weeks after my high school graduation I was diagnosed with stage 4B Hodgkins. I had been a class officer and was very excited about attending the University of New Hampshire that fall. I was devastated when the fall came and I was so sick I couldn't go. All of my friends went away to college, but I couldn't. I had my spleen removed, 7 treatments of MOPP/ABV chemotherapy, three months of radiation and then I was done one year later. I have now been in remission since 1988. They told me I might not have children, but I have a beautiful family with one boy (age 10) and one girl (age 14). It was a frightening and difficult journey, and no one could guarantee the outcome for us. It's a very scary place to be! Especially so young. I am now a full time nursing student 2 months away from graduation - can you believe it took me this long to finally get my degree - and a nursing instructor said to me today that if she had to choose a type of cancer to get, it would be Hodgkin's because of the high cure rate. I know it's not a comfort to you right now, I'VE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE!! However, I'm living proof! I would be happy to talk to keep in touch with you. Be sure to visit the American Cancer Society's web site. It's a great reference. I am part of the Cancer Survivor's Network and I have done two on-line interviews, show #67 (adult survivors of teen leukemia/lymphoma) and show #85 (adult survivors of teen cancer). If you or your son are interested in hearing them. Please feel free to call on me! Incidentally, I was born in Corpus Christi, and a good friend of mine from Houston is coming to visit this week. It seems like a weird omen! I hope this message gives you hope! God Bless!