I would love to connect with NHL sufferers in Cape Town SA

Michele Klein

Hi
I have NHL indolent stage 4, and I am somehow still coming to terms with living with the condition. I just completed my second chemo cycle, so I am still fairly new in the game. I accepted the news with mixed feelings, as I was diagnosed just 5months after my Mom passed away from pancreas cancer, I was and still am mourning her death. I would like to connect with people in Cape Town SA. I somehow find it very difficult to speak to my husband and siblings about NHL. Simply because they don't understand what I am going through. They are very supportive and all, but I feel very alone in this battle with NHL.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Michele Smile

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I am on my second cycle of chemo for non-hodgkins Lymphoma.

brainman

Hi Michele, I am so sorry to hear about your mother's death and now of your own diagnosis of NHL! What a terrible double punch!!

Have you tried to contact the social workers (or their equivalent in South Africa) at the local hospital(s) to see if they know about a local cancer or even grief support group. You might also see if the staff at your doctor's office knows of such a support group. If there is not a group, you might suggest that they start on and volunteer to help form one. Although this forum can be a great support system for you, if you are looking for others specifically in South Africa, I am afraid this forum will probably not be of much help to you. I don't even know if there are any other members from SA.

Best wishes.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Michele Klein

Hi Jim
Thank you for the advice. I am somehow coping with my grief at the loss of my mother. I am so fortunate that I stumbled across this website. It really doesn't matter that nobody from South Africa contact me. With this website I somehow found a family who I can relate to, and vice versa. Maybe one day a lost soul from South Africa, like myself will stumble across this webside, like I did, and immediately feel a sense of belonging.
All the best
Michele
_________________
I am on my second cycle of chemo for non-hodgkins Lymphoma.

alihamilton · Regular Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 21

Hi Michele. I am so sorry you are having to cope with your own illness, especially so soon after your mother's death. I am not in SA but, as you say, you will get support on this forum for people all over the world! How are you feeling generally? I was dx last year with stage 1V follicular lymphoma and had treatment for six months. Doing well now but scans at the end of this month so it is an anxious time! My husband was dx with stage 111C rectal cancer four years ago and is doing well, so we too have had our fair share of cancer.

Love,
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Alison

Michele Klein

Hi Allison
It just always amaze me just how many people are going through this cancer ordeal. Some with double punches in one household. like yourself. I thank you for taking time out to write to me.
I'm feeling terribly raw right now, I had just come out of my second cycle feeling battered and bruised both physically and emotionally. A few days after my cycle I developed the most awful stomach cramps and vomiting. The cramps lasted for 4 days. This coupled with the fatigue, made me feel very negative. Today however I feel much better.
My family, had suffered terrible trauma this past year, my Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 pacreas cancer in May 2006, it was very hard for us to accept the fact that our Mom was terminal. We pulled together to make her time with us as comfortable as possible. She was one amazing woman she bore her illness with the same pride and dignity as she lived her life. Her passing on the 3 January, still came as a huge shock to us, and left a huge void in our lives. When I was diagnosed in June, I was devastated. I was so confused that I actually dialled my Mom's number. Telling my 6 siblings that I had cancer was the hardest thing ever, especially since they were still trying to come to terms with my Mom's death. The news blew them away. We are all taking things one day at a time. The sun will shine for us again.
I don't intend for my condition to drag me down, I am keeping a positive attitude, because I believe that is what will get me through this.
I know what you mean when you say "anxious time" that is the awful time. But stay possitive, I'm sure you will be just fine. All the best for the upcoming scans, please keep me updated.
It give me encouragement to hear success stories, like your husbands. I wish him a long healthy life.

Good luck and may the sun always shine for you.

Love

Michele Smile

_________________
I am on my second cycle of chemo for non-hodgkins Lymphoma.

alihamilton · Regular Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 21

Hi Michele.
I hope by now you are feeling better. I always felt pretty lousy for a few days following chemo. It is important to nurture yourself during the bad days particularly. Then on the better days, you can feel more "normal"! Don't forget, in a few months you will hopefully be in remission. There are several treatment options for lymphoma so we need to be encouraged.

What treatment are you on?

Keep in touch.
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Alison

Michele Klein

Hi Alison
When I woke up yesterday I was so excited because I felt so good. I was able to clean my apartment and do the laundry etc. without even feeling exhausted. My husband took me out to dinner last night, and a cabaret, in a smoke free envronment. It was great and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
I am on Leukeran tablets, on a five day cycle. every 4 weeks. I take 15 tablets a day. I will be on the treatment for another ten months still. So far the only side effects I have is the nausea, cramps and fatigue. I still have my hair, even though it thinned out a bit. I will be preparing my body for the next chemo onslaught which starts on the 22 August. Does the feeling after chemo get better or worse as one goes along? I certainly felt worse after my second cycle and I am hoping that it won't get worse that that with the third cycle.

Take care
Michele
_________________
I am on my second cycle of chemo for non-hodgkins Lymphoma.

alihamilton · Regular Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 21

I am glad you are feeling so good now! It sounds as if you had a great time out with your husband! The effects can get accumulative but not in every case, so that might not happen to you. Just prepare to feel a bit off for a few days and then some kind of normal after that. Everyone is different so no-one can say for sure how you will react.

Stay well!
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Alison

dev · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:44 pm Post subject: hey michelle

hey. my names devan and i was diagnosed wit NHL stage 3 i have been for 3 chemo sessions and still going strong!!! im really sorry to hear about your mom and then your diagnoses but it will get better. i live in somerset west south africa.its about 30 km's out of CPT central f u ever need to chat dont hesitate to contact me...keep strong and god bless

Michele Klein

Thank you for making contact. You sound very positive and chirpy, that is definitely the right attitude. Smile

What chemo treatment are you on? And how many cycles do you still have left?
Looking forward to hearing from you again.
God Bless
Michele
_________________
I am on my second cycle of chemo for non-hodgkins Lymphoma.

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