Hey Everyone,

I was diagnosed with HL in March 2008, for a few weeks I had a couph that I could not get rid of, and this might sound strange, but my legs itched really really badly, and no doctor could tell me what was wrong. I decided to go to the doctor, they did a chest x-ray and saw a huge cloud over the right side of my chest. I knew then that something wasnt right, the Doctor at the clinic sent me to the emergency room for a Catscan. My boyfriend Martin drove me to the hospital, I did the Catscan, the doctor walked into the room and told me that it looked like cancer. I started to cry, Martin looked over and kept telling me that everything would be alright. A few minutes later I had calmed down and it was his turn to have a cry, so I started telling him that it would be ok, that everything was going to be alright.

Within the next two weeks, I had a biopsy, A port implanted in my chest, and a bone marrow test (which by far was worse than any chemo or radiation I went through). My amazing oncologist told me that I had HL stage 3, and I started chemo, 6 cycles ABVD.... The doctor and nurses all told me to prepare that I would lose my hair within the first 2 cycles, I was determined not to lose my hair.... And although it did thin some, by the end of chemo no one could tell that something was wrong with me. I didnt lose my appetite in fact I actually put on weight while going through chemo, I never felt sick to my stomach... I was very tired, and got annoyed pretty easy but that was about it. I did my chemo and radiation treatments at Baptist Hospital in Miami, and I have no complaints... my oncologist IS AMAZING and so are the nurses, I have kept in contact with some of them and they were a joy to be around.

I finished chemo on September 4th 2008, and radiation 3 weeks later. My petscan in March 2009 was clear (thank god). I follow up this wednesday with a catscan to make sure that everything is still good, and I will see my oncologist on Friday for the results. I wish I could have a Petscan but unfortunately my insurance company wont approve one. My nerves are starting to flutter once again as this time draws near, I hope and pray that everything will be alright that the doctor will look at me, like he did in March and tell me "see ya in 6 months"....

Im always here to listen to those fighting HL, please feel free to send me an email srmatalon@hotmail.com. remember things arent always as bad as they seem. Be strong, Smile.... and you will be just fine....

Sam