The story so far

Towards the end of November 2006, I started to feel dangerously tired on my 43 mile commute home, so much so that I had discussed it with Vicky (my wife) and friends and just put it down to the winter blues, dark and wet nights, long working days and a lack of time to start any projects at home. Was this seasonal affective disorder or just a sign of life just catching up with me. I also noticed that during my five a side football games on a Friday night that I was getting exhausted instead of fitter, but like a lot of people I just but it down to one of those things and got on with it. At this time we were also having some work done on the house and a new shower room fitted so I found myself bathing for a month long period. The first time I had a shower I noticed a lump under my left arm, a noticeable size which resulted in a swelling. I put it down to the tiredness and possible viral and just got on. By mid December the lump was still there and I showed it to Vicky and we agreed that I should go to the doctors about it, this I did on the 19th.
The Doc inspected me and advised that he thought it was a Lipoma (gristle and fat ball) and that he did not think that there was anything to worry about. I asked if it should be removed due to the size and he told me that this was my choice. As I had Private medical insurance provided by work, I thought it best for a second opinion and subsequently made arrangements to see a consultant in the New Year. I remained tired and ready for the festive break.
We had a great Christmas period and the whole family enjoyed themselves with some quality time together and in the New Year I felt more refreshed and not as lethargic, was it the wine or the break, still not convinced!
An appointment to see the consultant was made on the 17th January at 0800. By 1015 I had been told that the lump was to be removed on the following Monday (22nd Jan) and had had blood tests and a chest Xray. I thought that the 5 day notice was great and a sign of the advantages of BUPA. I advised work that I would be off for a week to recover from the surgery and made necessary arrangements to cover outstanding work.
Monday 22nd Jan can quickly and I found myself in paper undies, which could have fitted Jade Goody, and a little gown with my arse sticking out of the back awaiting my slot in theatre. My Mum dropped me off and Vicky would pick me up later as there seemed to be no concerns. My time came and as I lay in the anesthetic room I saw the theatre schedule and I had been allotted 1.5 hours for a simple procedure, alarm bells rang until I got to 9..... then I awoke in the recovery room in lots of pain. They gave me liquid Valium to ease and after an extended time I was wheeled back to my room where Vicky and my youngest were waiting for me. My pain was obvious and the little one could not stay in the room and Vicky was also concerned. We chatted and the pain eased until the consultant entered the room. He said that everything had gone well and that they had had a good look around. The lump had been sent off for a biopsy. Vicky asked the simple question, was it a Lipoma? This is the start of the pain, no it was not, he had removed a lymph gland that was infected and it was bumpy in shape! What did this mean, was it Cancer? Without being definitive his words were enough to start the water works and concerns and he left saying that he would contact us the day after if there was anything to be concerned about.
Guess what, that call came, and this ended a horrible 24 hour period. That night we attended my sisters 40th birthday scalextric party and hiding our concerns we had a great night and did not let anything slip. After I told my Dad (a retired GP) and he drove us to the 0900 appointment the next day. What a journey that was, bad traffic, snow showers and all of our heads full of mixed emotions. The meeting was a bit of an anticlimax as the biopsy results had not been released, but the consultant told us that he was confident that I had a Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. OH MY GOD! How do you take it when you hear the words, I still don't know? I'm a fit 37 year old father of three and these sort of things don't happen to the likes of me! What are the long term consequences? What do I tell the kids? How was Vicky and my Dad? All of these things went through my head in the next 2 seconds. He did not know if it was Hodgkins or non-Hodgkins so we had to wait for that to be confirmed. Shocked, I was asked to attend a CT scan on the Friday and return to his next clinic the following Monday to get the results. The journey home was difficult with time for thought and discussion.
That evening I told my brother and his wife which was hard. They were shocked but I think it went quite well! It was my sisters Birthday so I held off telling her that night and they were going on holiday that weekend, did I tell them before they went? Also told work that I would be of long term, and explained the reason behind this. A few phone calls came it from various people to talk and offer support which was great. It is good to remove any concerns over work at times like this and important that support was gained.
Then, I got a severe chest infection and was cemented to my bed all day Thursday, possibly a good thing as it took my mind off the main point. I could not get out of bed to tell my sister so called on Dad to do the honours. I don't think that went down as well and that evening a red eyed sis turned up and we all got very emotional. Good old red wine always makes things better!
Woke up Friday AM feeling much better and went to the CT scan which was painless, except the pre liquid that you have to drink! Went out that evening for a drink with the lads which was nice and spent the rest of the weekend playing with the kids and tyring to forget about the Monday appointment.
What was I expecting to hear, I didn't really know. We had done the wrong thing by going on the Internet to read about it. So many tales, so many people in worse situations, you hope, and so many contradicting stories. We gave up before we got too confused. It is at times like this that you really see peoples emotions and understand that everyone deals with issues differently and that there is no right and wrong way. In the end everyone needs support and they will find it there way, it may not be your way but that hey ho. We decided to be honest with friends so that they heard the truth from us and not some rubbish via the local jungle drums. I'm glad to say that I have only had heart filled support and for that I am very grateful to all - thanks.
Appointment time, the biopsy confirmed that I had stage 1A classical Hodgkins Lymphoma (nodular sclerosis). This meant that it was localised to my left armpit area and had not spread to any other parts of the lymphatic system. There were still infected glands in the arm pit but I had got the little buggers early and would be treated accordingly. I was discharged from the consultant and passed on to Christies in Manchester and waiting for an appointment. The news was as good as I could have expected under the circumstances, stage 1A Hodgkins, the least common and least aggressive form and going to the world renowned Christies to be treated. We even stopped of for a drink on the way home to celebrate that I had Cancer! How surreal is that? Dad, thanks for the support, it was invaluable. Sorry you missed you ski trip, we will go next year, definitely.
The appointment at Christies arrived, Valentines Day, that's 10 days away. Felt confused but getting over the idea that I had the 'C' word. Spent time with the kids and doing a few little jobs around the house. Still felt tired and got about 8 useful hours each day. Worried how to tell the kids, if we should at all. Ended up, beer in hand, telling them altogether that I had had cancer and it had been taken away during the operation. I would be off work for a while to have some medication to stop it coming back. Thankfully I have a big nose and the increase in size was not too noticeable! Went directly over the head of the 4yr old, the middle lad found it funny that I was going to loose my hair, not that I have a lot to loose, but my daughter understood and became upset. We chatted for a while on her bed and in the end she understood the position. Should I have told her the full truth? I am convinced that I have done the right thing and am open to talk about it if she has any concerns.
Went to the appointment, what a place, full of happy people going about their business, but so much pain behind the scenes. The professor inspected me and asked questions about my history, nothing too hard. All confirmed as Stage 1A Classical Hodgkins Lymphoma with a slight concern over a shadow on my CT scan in the chest area. Ended up as my chest infection! Treatment would be 3 cycles of Chemotherapy, covering a 3 month period followed by 2 weeks of radationtheropy. Would have to attend every 2 weeks so six hits in all. Start in another 10 days so time to enjoy half term and a chance to go away for a few days.
A bit nervous about the Chemo and the side effects but have found inspiration on a similar blog and read some useful info on the linked web sites.

Two main points to pick up from my experience so far:

1. If in doubt go to the Doctors and get checked out. I thought it was not significant and look at the outcome. Also, if you have a gut feeling which is not confirmed by the doc, get a second opinion. If I had left it then it would have gone to stage 2 or three and the treatment is worse.
2. I am sure that having private medical insurance has enabled me to catch the buggers early prior to it becoming stage 2. If you have it, use it and take no chances with your health. You can always catch up with other things at a later date!

So there you are, my story so far. I must thank Vicky, Mum and Dad, Alan and Shelia and other close family members and frieds for their support. It is quite humbling to know that they are there when you need them and makes the whole issues that bit easier to handle.

Will update after significant events, like the 1st Chemo. Hope you enjoyed my first attempt and that the information provided helps you if you find yourself in a similar position.

Thanks