There are numerous extraordinary experiences associated with Hodgkin's disease. I haven't experienced them all by any means, and hope not to, but there is a uniqueness to my story. I haven't had Hodgkin's once, but belong to a rare group of people that have had it twice. It started in 1961. Will skip the mundane events that led up to hospitalization for initial diagnosis work.

Started out at the U. C. Med. Center in San Francisco. This is a teaching University and to this day I am convinced there were more doctors/residents than patients. Naturally each one of these aspiring doctors wanted a piece of the action, or to be more accurate a piece of ME. This was before non-invasive diagnostics existed. If anyone wanted to see a part of me they took it out and looked at it. Learned the meaning of Punch Biopsy. Having twenty or thirty doctors assigned to your case and each one wanting the experience, read practice, makes for a long day. After being folded, spindled and mutilated for three weeks I was graciously invited to attend my final conference. This would be the time to relate the news regarding my case. Surprise! They didn't know what was wrong with me. Was told I had cancer of some sort but they weren't sure what type. Asked me to come back in six months for another 'Trial by Residents'. Apparently the cancer had not progressed far enough for a certainty of diagnosis and they didn't want to start treatment until they knew exactly what to treat for.

Six months later. Folded and mutilated by another squad of residents for another three weeks. This time they got it right and had a diagnosis, Hodgkin's disease. They did not use Stages then, either you had it or didn't have it. Was informed that Cobalt was the treatment of choice. At that time there were only three Cobalt radiation units in the state of California. Little luck here, Sacramento was only a hours drive one way. While chemotherapy is no joy let me assure you radiation sickness is not a walk in the park. I would like to thank SK&F for developing Thorazine. This drug kept my stomach down around my Adam's Apple. Radiation sickness is not transitory but omnipresent throughout treatment. I am now cured of Hodgkin's but went and got married. Having my head radiated must have caused brain damage. 1992, here we go again! Went to the same family doctor that sent me of to the hospital in 1961.

This time there was minimal travel and no in-patient status to contend with. A quick and dirty biopsy, a few more routine diagnostic procedures, the installation of a Porta-cath and bring on the drugs. This was a Stage 2, never really asked what this meant but assume it is above the diaphragm. This was the second time since 1959 that I have not had a beard. Kind of funny when your kids stop by to see their father without a beard. Having a white count of 1,200 is not funny however. The irony of this is the normal saline used to flush the Porta-cath is what makes me sick. Anything over 3 cc's and I get nauseated, over 10 cc's get the wastepaper basket. I actually taste the saline, it may be I.V. but goes straight to my taste buds. Had a little radiation from a electron accelerator to finish things off. I was mildly surprised not having radiation sickness until I remembered this was not from a radioactive source.

My attitude may offend some but remember this is the second time around for me and ones over all attitude does change. To me Hodgkin's is akin to a broken leg. You fix it and hope you don't break it again. Incidentally I am still married to the same person. A severe non-reversible case of brain damage from radiation.

There is one question that no one has been able to answer. What happens to the worms in your eyelash follicles when your hair falls out?

Live long and prosper.

Write to Ed! estarry@oro.net

©1996 Diana L.E.G. Hinnrichs