In the early part of November 1979, I discovered a lump on the right side of my neck. At first I was not very concerned as I had many small cysts and lumps on the side and back of my neck caused by my bad case of acne that I had. I was on some sort of medication to help with my acne problem. But this lump grew, and did not go away. It eventually got to be the size of my fist. I finally went to the doctor, who put me on antibiotics for two weeks, thinking that it might be something like that. No luck..

I scheduled surgery for December 5, 1979 to have the lump removed and biopsied. I have a scar on the right side of my neck about 5 - 6 inches long, that to this day is not very noticeable unless the light is hitting it just right. On December 11, 1979, I was given the word that I had Hodgkin's Disease. I was a sophomore in college at that time and was in Edinboro, Pennsylvania.

I opted to return to Denver Colorado where I grew up as treatment possibilites were a lot greater there than in Pennsylvania. I met with an oncologist here, had a lymphangiogram, cat scan, and a bone marrow biopsy done. It was determined that I was Stage 4A. I could have started chemotherapy on my birthday, December 29th if I wanted as that was the day I received word of my complete diagnosis, but I opted to wait until after the first of the year.

I spent all of 1980 on chemotherapy, twelve complete cycles of MOPP. I got extremely sick, nauseated, vomitting, etc. At that time, there were very little anti-nausea drugs that could be used to help. I was getting so sick that I was getting sick before my treatments. I was also vomitting my stomach lining, and had the dry heaves. Not very pleasant. The nausea would generally go away about 12 - 18 hours later, and then I had no energy and no appetite for another 48 hours. There were three scheduled injections that I did not get, two because my blood count was too low, and one was to be my final injection. It was approaching Christmas, my grandparents from PA for the holidays, and I didn't want to "ruin" them by being sick. As it turned out, I was able to celebrate my guarded recovery.

I returned to college in PA the following January. I had checkups every three months for the first year, then two checkups four months apart, then once every six months for another year, and then once a year for a while. I have taken advantage of them now, as I don't get a checkup as often as I should. I did meet with my oncologist here in Denver around the 15th anniversary of my diagnosis for a checkup.

I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Secondary Mathematics Degree in May 1983, returned to Denver again in January 1985, started teaching in September 1985, graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Adult Education in December 1994, and have been enjoying life ever since.

I am not married, never have been. I get great enjoyment, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment from helping others with HD, telling them about my case, being an inspiration to keep striving for a cure, and being "there" for them during their struggle with therapy. I am always willing to talk to others about the effects of HD as there are no other people that understand what a cancer patient goes through other than a cancer patient.

I am approaching on my 20th anniversary of diagnosis, which will occur just a few weeks before my 40th birthday, which will be a few days before the turn of the century. I plan on having one hell of a 40th birthday/New Year's party, not only to celebrate the new century, but to celebrate my life. Sixteen years ago, I would have never thought that I would have survived this long. I am thankful that I have and thank God daily for the second chance on life He has given me.

Keep healthy, keep the faith, and keep fighting. Someday all cancers will be as easily cured as HD is!

Jim

Write to Jim! 102016.3504@compuserve.com

©1996 Diana L.E.G. Hinnrichs