Intro and How I Found Out
I was 23 years old when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease, Stage 1A, on December 3, 2001. The only symptom I experienced was shortness of breath. I ran an 18 mile road race in November of 2000, and by November of 2001, I got to the point that a one mile run would bring on extreme cramps and gasping for air. Also, during long conversations in which I did most of the talking (which is rare) I would find myself winded. The following is the account of my experiences with Hodgkin’s Disease.
PreDiagnosis
October-November 2001
Started feeling shortness of breath during my runs and when I played basketball with friends. Also, I was terribly winded when hiking up mountains with my dad in West Virginia when we went hunting during Thanksgiving. The mountain air made my lungs feel as if they were on fire, but I thought I was just becoming out of shape or not accustomed to the crisp, dry, mountain air and high altitudes. Something like this is impossible to predict and I had never even heard of Hodgkin’s. Thanksgiving weekend was the turning point that made me feel that I needed to go get checked out. I had an entire season of high school basketball officiating coming up quickly and I would need to be in decent shape for that.
November 21-25. 2001
Thanksgiving in West Virginia hunting with my Dad, Charlie and his son.
November 26, Monday. 2001
Had lunch with Dad at the Orlando Ale House and then went over to Centra Care to find out why I have been experiencing shortness of breath. After telling the doctor my problem he ordered a routine chest x-ray and we discovered that my left lung was over half-full with fluid and I would need immediate follow up medical attention. They recommended I go to the Emergency Room at a local hospital. I told the doctor my Dad worked at Florida Hospital Altamonte and that would be my best choice; he kindly called to let them know I was coming. Both my family and I made it to the ER and began waiting to see what would happen after the pulmonologist and primary care doctor examined me. It was determined I needed further tests and that I would be admitted into the hospital for the night. Mom brought me Boston Market and Ann pushed me up to my room, which happened to be one of the biggest rooms in the hospital. The room had a great window view that showed the sunrise each morning.
November 27, Tuesday. 2001
I had a relaxing night (considering the circumstances) and it was now time to see what caused the fluid buildup in my lungs. They sent me in for an Ultrasound first thing that morning. Next, my pulmonologist performed the procedure that took all the fluid out of my lungs with the aid of his nurse (who happened to be my prom date in high school). The CAT Scan was ordered and I could not eat for the entire afternoon. I had to swallow 32 ounces of a terrible, orange-colored liquid before the test. After a seemingly never-ending afternoon they finally came to get me for the CAT Scan. The test took about 20 minutes and was not too bad. I was thrilled I could eat again and the fasting made the hospital food taste much better than it actually was in reality. At this point I was surprised to find out I would be spending another night in the hospital, but in reality I thought it was still something very minor and I would walk out of the hospital in a day or two and go back to my normal life. We made the best out of being in the hospital and between my family, friends, and girlfriend I always had someone with me.
November 28, Wednesday. 2001
Today was the bad day. Around 8:30 that morning my primary care physician came back with the reports from the CAT Scan. The radiologist said in the report that he saw a “very large” malignant mass between my lungs. When I glanced down at the report and saw the words “very large,” I was pretty much in shock. There is no easy way to be told you have cancer and the physician tried to explain it to me as best as possible but I quickly realized I needed a specialist as this was not her field of study. The next hour or two was probably the hardest of my life because I was filled with so much uncertainty, disbelief, and shock. It was quite surreal. It was only 10:00 a.m. but I felt as if I just put in an 18 hour day. A strong degree of relief came when my oncologist, Dr. Robert Reynolds, visited for the first time and seemed to take control over the situation. He told me his thoughts and this is where I learned the possibilities of what I might have. He thought it was between three things: Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and thymoma. When asked which was the best to have, he stated Hodgkin’s was the easiest to treat with the best prognosis. He then went on to say I would need surgery to have a biopsy of the tumor and that I could get a portacath put in at that time. The purpose of the portacath is to deliver the drugs because it is not good on the veins to deliver chemo through them. Also I would have a tube inserted into my lung that would be used to drain the fluid buildup. Everyone suggested Dr. Ferrero as the thoracic surgeon, saying he is a magician in the operating room. I would be set for surgery tomorrow at 3:00p.m. Wow, in the matter of only a few days I employed the services of a pulmunologist, an oncologist, an anesthesiologist, a radiation oncologist, a thoracic surgeon, a radiologist, and a pathologist. That night everyone visited again and Dad brought Bahama Breeze take-out for everyone and we rented movies. Knowing I would have surgery the next day, I placed an order for two egg sandwiches and two sodas to be delivered at 11:50 since I could not eat after midnight.
November 29, Thursday. 2001
This was a long drawn out day and I was beginning to get tired of being a patient. The walls seemed to become smaller each day. I relaxed all morning and made a few trips out to the park area where my friends and girlfriend visited and enjoyed the last few moments of a so-called normalcy before surgery. Shortly before 3:00 they came to get me for surgery. When I got to the Pre-Op area I was greeted by the nurse and anesthesiologist. I was hooked up to the IV and was given options as to the amount of anesthesia I wanted. A little late technically, but right on time for a surgeon, Dr. Ferrero came to visit me in Pre-Op. He discussed his plan saying he would need to only make about a 4 inch opening in my left upper chest area to get a biopsy of the tumor. Then, the Operating Room would be completely sanitized and the port would be installed and then again the room sanitized and the tube would be placed in my lung. Seemed simple enough he thought. After a prayer from the Chaplain I began getting intravenous drugs and was knocked out in seconds. The next thing I remember was waking up in the hallway briefly seeing my parents then I went back out. Next, I remember being in my room and being pushed onto my bed. Then I woke up in the middle of the night craving liquids. My Dad had the first shift of staying with me that night and then my mom was there for the second shift. I started out with ice chips and quickly progressed to water then Gatorade. I received one shot of morphine in the butt that I remember being quite painful.
November 30, Friday. 2001
After a somewhat uncomfortable night, the sun began to rise and all I could think of was food. My Mom made a quick run to Dunkin Donuts to get her necessary coffee and a bagel for me that she recommended I eat slowly, but I had other plans and inhaled it within a minute. It was the best bagel I had ever had I thought to myself. About an hour later, Dad arrived. As I got up to use the bathroom it was a unique feeling having bandages spread randomly throughout my upper body. Soon after, my breakfast tray was delivered and I quickly consumed it also. I was feeling pretty good given the circumstances of having surgery the night before. Everyone thought I would be in Intensive Care after surgery but the surgeon said I had recovered quick enough to go back to my regular room. I was very happy about that. My pulmonologist had mentioned that if I was feeling good I could possibly be discharged this evening. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but my Dad followed up on this and pretty soon my discharge papers were being drawn up. I was ecstatic. Upon arriving at home my grandparents had driven down to show their support and help me with their presence and they met me at my house. It was nice seeing everyone but I was so tired, I was ready for bed. My first night back in my own bed!
December 1, Saturday. 2001
I had slept pretty well thanks to Percocet. My home health nurse came by to drain my lung through the tube the surgeon installed. Then I had a great time at Cranes Roost Park with my grandparents and Erica. The sun was brilliant and the temperature very comfortable. It was a humbling experience being able to only walk a quarter of a mile on the same track I had ran hundreds of miles on through high school.
December 2, Sunday. 2001
Relaxed. Enjoyed the fact I was out of the hospital. My grandparents left that morning and that night my friend Ben arrived from Camp Lejeune. (I had and still have the best support in the world.) I went to church that night with Erica, Dad, Jan, Sarah and Ann and it was an intense service. With the unknown of not being diagnosed yet, I was nervous as there could be very difficult days ahead especially depending on what the biopsy concluded. It seemed like the pathologist took forever with my diagnosis.
Diagnosis
December 3, Monday. 2001
I did pretty good over the weekend with not worrying too much about the diagnosis but now I was ready to know. The oncologist was suppose to give me an answer by 10:00 a.m., but it was 10 and I didn’t have an answer. Ben and I waited for what seemed like an eternity, but was actually only 40 minutes. Finally at 10:40 a.m. the phone rang and it was Dr. Reynolds, my oncologist. “It’s Hodgkin’s!”, he confidently stated. Immediately calls were placed to my Mom, Dad, and Erica. I felt an overwhelming feeling of relief come over me as it could have been much worse. That was one of the best moments of my life. (It’s strange saying being diagnosed with cancer was one of my best moments but I guess you would have to be in the situation to fully understand.) It was as if on Wednesday I had my life taken from me by being told I had some form of cancer, and then today it was as if I had my life given back to me by being diagnosed with an easily treated form of cancer. Very unique situation. Then that afternoon we all went to Dr. Reynolds’ office and toured the facility and he told us the plan for the next 4-6 months and thoroughly answered every question we had. He then told me I had a bone marrow test scheduled in a about an hour. The pathologist performed this quite painful procedure using mild anesthesia. The test is done by basically pulling bone marrow out of my pelvic bone in the lower back area with a large needle.
December 4, Tuesday. 2001
I had my first PET Scan at 8:00 a.m. Ben and I ate at First Watch after the test. Then went to Florida Hospital to my appointment with the Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Weppelmann.
Treatment
December 5, Wednesday. 2001
I had my first chemo treatment. It was quite a unique experience but not as hard as I thought. They delivered four drugs through my port installed in my chest. The four drugs are known as ABVD: Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine and DTIC. It took about three hours to deliver them all. I felt fine afterward and went to the factory outlet stores with Ben and Ann. On the way home I got really motion sick and took a Zofran (the best anit-nausea medicine ever invented) which seemed to help.
December 6, Thursday. 2001
Went for fluids at Dr. Reynolds’ office. They gave me IV Zofran and saline through my port. It took about an hour and a half.
December 7, Friday. 2001
It felt like the drugs were beginning to set in and I didn’t feel too great today. After helping more than he will ever know, Ben left today to go back up to Camp Lejeune. Susan, Steve, and Jasper arrived that night at my Mom’s house. I remember being at my mom’s and being jealous when I saw Sarah getting ready to leave to go downtown. But luckily I had Erica with me and that settled my nerves.
December 11, Tuesday. 2001
Went to appointment at Dr. Ferrero’s office located across the street from my Mom’s office. He said everything was healing properly and showed no signs of infection.
December 12, Wednesday. 2001
Went for labs at Dr. Reynolds’ office. Everything looked good.
December 19, Wednesday. 2001
Went for chemo at Dr. Reynolds’ office.
December 20, Thursday. 2001
Went for fluids at Dr. Reynolds’ office. Then hung out and exchanged ideas and experiences with Tracy all day since he was home from NYC. Felt really good considering I had chemo the previous day.
December 21, Friday. 2001
After almost a month of not showering, and having to towel off in the sink, I finally was able to because today I went for surgery to have my tube taken out that went into my lung. FINALLY. The surgery was painless and the anesthesia was very good. Dad and I stopped by The Cheesecake Factory on the way home.
December 25, Tuesday. 2001
Had a great Christmas.
December 26, Wednesday. 2001
Went for labs at Dr. Reynolds’ office. White blood cells beginning to drop.
December 31, Monday. 2001
Had a great New Year’s bon fire party at my house with all my friends, and of course Erica.
January 2, Wednesday. 2002
Went for chemo at Dr. Reynolds’ office.
January 3, Thursday. 2002
Went for fluids at Dr. Reynolds’ office.
January 8, Tuesday. 2002
Started the spring semester at SCC.
January 9, Wednesday. 2002
Went for labs at Dr. Reynolds’ office. White blood cells dropping but not enough to need Neupogen yet.
January 16, Wednesday. 2002
Went for chemo at Dr. Reynolds’ office.
January 17, Thursday. 2002
Went for fluids at Dr. Reynolds’ office. Feeling quite a bit of fatigue today.
January 21, Monday. 2002
After a somewhat challenging weekend I had my second PET Scan. Will not get the results for a few days.
January 23, Wednesday. 2002
Went for labs at Dr. Reynolds’ office and received some incredible news. My PET Scan came back completely clear which means I have no more cancerous cells left. None! I was shocked when I heard it was totally normal, just as if I had never had cancer. Its amazing how fast the chemotherapy works. So now I have 2 more cycles (4 treatments, 2 months) of chemo and four weeks of radiation left to make sure the cancer does not come back. Wow, I can count the number of times on one hand. All the prayers really have helped.
January 30, Wednesday. 2002
Went for chemo at Dr. Reynolds’ office. Also met with Dr. Reynolds and he told me I was officially in remission now since my PET Scan was clear. He then said he would declare me officially cured in five years when the cancer does not show up again.
January 31, Thursday. 2002
Went for fluids at Dr. Reynolds’ office. Its strange but now even the smell and sight of drugs, IVs, chemo, etc. makes me nauseous. I felt like I was going to vomit while I was getting fluids. Not fun.
February 6, Wednesday. 2002
Went for labs at Dr. Reynolds’ office. Labs are normal, cell counts average. Feeling surprisingly well and still no hair loss.
February 13, Wednesday. 2002
Went for chemo at Dr. Reynolds’ office. White blood cell count (mine was 2.4, and anything below 2, I will need Neupogen) is still lingering not wanting to give in to the need for extra medicine. I was given Ativan midway through my treatment because I became extremely nauseous when the Bleomycin was being delivered. After today there are only two more chemo treatments left! I can’t wait to be done with all of this. There was a man getting a drip today that had two broken shoulders, was awaiting open heart surgery, and was receiving chemo five days this week. The doctors told him they can’t do anything with the shoulders until he has open heart and his valve is replaced. So he has to walk around with two broken shoulders for weeks, unable to eat, bathe, or go to the bathroom by himself. And while he was sitting in his recliner getting chemo he was telling jokes, and was sarcastic in a positive way about his extreme situation. Its people like this that inspire me. There is always someone with a more difficult situation than me.
February 14, Thursday. 2002
Went for fluids at Dr. Reynolds’ office. Felt quite nauseous throughout the day thinking about going back to the doctor’s office. But the fluids did help and I felt better after I had finished.
February 20, Wednesday. 2002
Went for labs at Dr. Reynolds’ office. White blood cell count was slightly elevated from last week, possibly because I am currently fighting off a cold. Everything else was completely normal. I was quite tired this weekend but still managed to go with my cousin and girlfriend to Universal Studios and had a great time. This weekend I am going to Naples with my mom and sister.
February 27, Wednesday. 2002
Went for chemo at Dr. Reynolds’ office. This was one of the worst chemo sessions I have had. I was quite nauseous throughout the delivery of the drugs. Then I finished and was sitting on the bench outside the doctor’s office waiting for my dad and I vomited. I felt like crap and there were lots of people walking by so I went back up to Dr. Reynolds’ office and the nurses gave me Ativan and that calmed me. I fell asleep around 8 that night then woke around 2 and vomited again.
February 28, Thursday. 2002
Went for fluids at Dr. Reynolds’ office around noon after going to only one class. The fluids helped tremendously. They also gave me some more Ativan, and wrote a prescription for me so I could have it at home to help with the nausea. Relaxed the rest of the day and went to bed at 8 again.
March 1, Friday. 2002
Feeling much better after a long two days. Only one more chemo session left!
March 6, Wednesday. 2002
Went for labs at Dr. Reynolds’ office.
March 13, Wednesday. 2002
Went for the last chemo session with my girlfriend, Erica, at Dr. Reynolds’ office. It was very nice having her company and this last time went quite smoothly. I don’t think I was properly hydrated for the last chemo when I vomited two times. This time I made sure I had plenty of fluids in me before going. I don’t know why, but I was tired and fell asleep for a good portion of the chemo session which made it seem to go by quickly. That also gave Erica a chance to read National Geographic Traveler magazine and Oprah’s magazine (in which Oprah by miracle made the cover of this issue, again).
March 14, Thursday. 2002
Went for fluids at Dr. Reynolds’ office. This is such a good feeling to finally be done with chemotherapy. I felt pretty good and relaxed all day, watching movies and keeping myself busy. I also got my free T-shirt for finishing chemo which was nice. Now I get about three weeks off to let the Adriamycin clear out of my system before starting radiation. During radiation it can cause burns if it is still present in my body. The radiation will be five days a week for about 15 minutes for four weeks total.
March 20, Wednesday. 2002
Went for labs at Dr. Reynolds’ office. This is my last official visit to Dr. Reynolds’ office! All my bloodwork was completely normal.
March 27, Wednesday. 2002
I went to my appointment with the Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Weppelmann. Everything went really well. They put marks on my chest with a green marker to show where the radiation will be directed. On my first day of radiation they will put very small permanent tattoo marks where the radiation will be aimed at. This is so if I ever get radiation in the future, they will know where I have already received it. A person should only get around seven weeks maximum of radiation in a lifetime, otherwise the internal organs can become damaged. Also I had a CAT Scan to allow them to plan where it is best to aim the radiation. I am going to have three weeks and two days of radiation. The radiation is measured by “rads”. The most serious cancers (lung, liver, etc.) can get around 7000 rads, I am going to receive 3000 rads. The only side effects could be a minor sore throat and possibly some reddening of the skin around the area receiving radiation. I have no restrictions and can go about my regular life while getting radiation. I start Monday, April 1.
April 1, Monday. 2002
Went for my first radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office. It was really easy and takes only about two minutes for the actual radiation. I am laying on a flat examining table with a huge machine behind me and over me and the lady leaves the room and the radiation goes for one minute above shooting down and then a minute from below me shooting up.
April 2, Tuesday. 2002
Went for my second radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 3, Wednesday. 2002
Went for my third radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 4, Thursday. 2002
Went for my forth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 5, Friday. 2002
Went for my fifth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office. After radiation I went to the Relay For Life Event. It was a good time and was well supported by the community although I am still not exactly sure why it is an all night event (from 5pm Friday - noon Sat). One person from the team is suppose to be walking at all times. We took some time out to play volleyball though. Then Erica and I fell asleep around midnight and woke around 6am. We then walked some more around the track and ate some breakfast. Ann got up around 8 and we all decided we had contributed enough and headed home. I would definitely do it again next year.
April 8, Monday. 2002
Went for my sixth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 9, Tuesday. 2002
Went for my seventh radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 10, Wednesday. 2002
Went for my eighth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 11, Thursday. 2002
Went for my ninth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 12, Friday. 2002
Went for my tenth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 15, Monday. 2002
Went for my eleventh radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office. Met with him for my weekly check up. Everything seems to be going well. Developing a minor sore throat and the skin around the upper chest area is getting slightly red.
April 16, Tuesday. 2002
Went for my twelfth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 17, Wednesday. 2002
Went for my thirteenth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 18, Thursday. 2002
Went for my fourteenth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 19, Friday. 2002
I had quite a busy day. First, I went to Florida Hospital Orlando and had my port removed. It was an easy procedure, and at last, my final surgery for a long while. Dr. Ferrero performed the surgery again. The entire process took most of the morning, although the surgery itself only took about 30 minutes. After the two previous surgeries, this was a breeze. The anesthesia was local and very adequate. Then, after I got done I went for my fifteenth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office.
April 22, Monday. 2002
I went for my sixteenth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office. I also had my weekly meeting with the Doctor. Then I got measured to go on the other machine for the last three days, which would be Wednesday through Friday. The other machine will be a more direct beam which will hit a more specific area.
April 23, Tuesday. 2002
I went for my seventeenth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office. Tomorrow I will switch to the more specialized machine.
April 24, Wednesday. 2002
I went for my eighteenth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office. Today I went to the other machine. This one is even shorter than the other. I think the beam hits me for about 30 seconds from 3 different angles.
April 25, Thursday. 2002
At 9:30, I had an appointment with my thoracic surgeon, Dr. Ferrero. He gave me the port he took out of my body and also removed the stitches. I went for my nineteenth radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office at 4:30. Tomorrow I am done with radiation!
April 26, Friday. 2002
I drove all the way down to the doctor’s office, sat down in the waiting room, and picked up a magazine as usual. Then the technician came out and told me the machine was down! I was quite disappointed since I was hoping to be done and be able to wash off the plethora of markings that line my upper body. Now I have to come back one more time on Monday. Oh well….
April 29, Monday. 2002
Went for my twentieth and last radiation session at Dr. Weppelmann’s office. I am looking forward to not having to drive to the hospital every day. I go for a PET and a CT Scan in three weeks and then meet with Dr. Weppelmann in four weeks.
April 30, Tuesday. 2002
Enjoyed not having to drive to the hospital today.
May 2, Thursday. 2002
Going to New York City tomorrow and I will be back Monday. Check out this picture of my port that my surgeon gave me after he removed it from my chest.
May 6, Monday. 2002
Erica and I had an incredible time in New York City. I love that city. It is impossible for me to put into words how much fun we had.
May 20, Monday. 2002
This morning at 7:30 I had my PET Scan. The way it works is I am injected with radioactive isotopes intravenously and then relax in a chair for about 30 minutes to let the isotopes spread throughout my body. The PET Scan machine is basically donut shaped with me lying on a board going through the middle. Something seems to spin on the inside of the machine creating a wind tunnel type sound. The total scan takes about 35 minutes. I was lying on the board for about 15 minutes today wondering why the machine wasn’t making any noise. Then the technician came in the room and told me he had forgot to press the start button. Needless to say I was not pleased but everyone makes mistakes. Then I went to the building across the street to have my CT Scan. I was quite late as a result of the longer than expected PET Scan. The CT Scan uses X-rays to take cross sectional images of the body which when put into a 3-D picture show what is left of my tumor. Both tests are needed since the PET is a biological test and the CT is an optical (at least that is the way I was explained it). This time I got pretty nauseous from the iodine that is intravenously injected into me during the CT. Luckily the test only took thirty seconds and then I could sit up. The combination of not being allowed to eat breakfast or have liquids before the tests, the isotopes, the iodine, holding my breath during the CT, and waking up early did not make for an enjoyable Monday morning. I am glad that is over.
May 24, Friday. 2002
Went to my appointment with Dr. Weppelmann. He said the tests came back perfectly normal and that everything was going as expected.
June 10, Monday. 2002
Went to my appointment with Dr. Reynolds, my primary oncologist. Nothing new. He pretty much confirmed the fact that everything is going as planned.
July 19, 2002. Friday.
Went to the hospital to have blood work done for my quarterly check ups. I have PET and CT Scans coming up in the next couple of weeks.
July 26, 2002. Friday.
Went to the hospital to have PET Scan on the new PET/CT machine. The new machine is quicker and gives a more detailed scan. The drawback is that I have to drink 16 oz. of contrast and the chamber is much deeper.
The new machine is quicker and gives a more detailed scan. The drawback is that I have to drink 16 oz. of contrast and the chamber is much deeper.The new machine is quicker and gives a more detailed scan. The drawback is that I have to drink 16 oz. of contrast and the chamber is much deeper.
July 29, 2002. Monday.
Went to the Florida Hospital Altamonte to have a CAT Scan at 8:30. I got extremely nauseous again from the intravenous iodine combined with having to hold my breath. Luckily the test only takes about 30 seconds. I will have the scans read next week.
August 6, 2002. Tuesday.
Went to the Florida Hospital Altamonte for my appointment with Dr. Weppelmann. He read my PET and CT scans. Everything is fine, and even though the tumor is present with no activity, it is consistently deteriorating. I saw M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs last night and highly recommend it. Great story, brilliantly photographed, and genuinely an enriching film.
August 12, 2002. Monday.
Went to West Virginia whitewater rafting with my girlfriend this past weekend.
August 19, 2002. Monday.
Went to Florida Hospital Altamonte for my appointment with Dr. Reynolds. Just as a precaution, he ordered blood work to make sure my thyroid was properly functioning. Also, started classes at UCF today.
October 18, 2002. Friday.
Went to Florida Hospital Altamonte Outpatient Radiology for my quarterly CAT Scans. I didn’t get sick off of the iodine which was a nice surprise.
November 4, 2002. Monday.
Went to Florida Hospital Orlando for a PET Scan. Got the results later that day and everything is still clear. No signs of the cancer returning.
November 8, 2002. Monday.
Went to Florida Hospital Altamonte for my appointment with Dr. Weppelmann. He read my PET and CT scans, and reassured me everything is still clear.
February 10, 2003. Monday.
Went for appointment with Dr. Reynolds. He scheduled a PET and CT Scan in April and then a checkup in August. He confirmed the fact that each year I am in remission, the possibility of the cancer coming back decreases exponentially.
April 29, 2003. Tuesday.
Went to Florida Hospital Orlando for a PET Scan. Got the results later that day and everything is still clear.
August 18, 2003. Monday.
Went to Florida Hospital Orlando for a PET Scan.
August 20, 2003. Monday.
Went for appointment with Dr. Reynolds. Everything was clear on the PET Scan. He ordered a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) to see if my lungs are back to normal. I completed the test and am awaiting results, but I feel like I did pretty well. Much better than the first time I took it prior to chemo.
August 25, 2003. Friday.
Received results from Dr. Reynolds and my PFT came back fine. My lungs have healed and are back to normal.
February 19, 2004. Thursday.
Visited Tampa Veterans Affairs Hospital to get check up. Meet with an oncologist and she scheduled a CAT Scan in March. Still feeling fine and do not expect anything to show up on the CAT Scan.
March 17, 2004. Wednesday.
Had CAT Scan today. Had to drink 32 ounces of “apple” flavored contrast (barium sulfate). Will get the results of this at my next appointment in Tampa.
June 24, 2004. Thursday.
Went to Tampa VA to get results of CAT Scan and for check up. Results are clear and physical showed no signs of swollen lymph nodes or any other symptoms. Feeling fine.
March 24, 2005. Thursday.
Had PET Scan at Florida Hospital Orlando and met with Dr. Reynolds afterwards. Scan is all clear with no problems.
July 5, 2007. Thursday.
Met with Dr. Reynolds at Florida Hospital Orlando office. He noted that it has been five and a half years since I was diagnosed. He stated that typically after five years of remission from Hodgkins he pronounces someone cured and in my case I was no different. That is a tremendous feeling. He said it was up to me if I wanted to do one last PET Scan or not. I said to be on the safe side we could do one more scan. Scheduled for a scan in about a month.
July 26, 2007. Thursday.
Had PET Scan with Dr. Reynolds at his Altamonte office. Scan is all clear with no problems. So this is pretty much it. I was told to return to my family doctor for general check ups, but this ends my cancer treatment.