15 Ways to Get through ABVD Chemo Treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Hodgkin's Lymphoma - What is ABVD Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is done through an IV or Port in the hospital every two weeks and can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours. It is the necessary evil that kills off cancerous cells.ABVD is an abbreviation of four drugs: Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, and Dacarbazine
ADRIAMYCIN - or "The Red Devil." Depending on the dosage, this orange/red drug causes nausea, hair loss, and potential heart problems. It also turns your urine orange/red.
BLEOMYCIN - Comes out in a syringe, is transparent, and is known to cause pulmonary side effects. Some get fevers from this.
VINBLASTINE - Effective against cancers of the white blood cells such as lymphoma.
DACARBAZINE - A drip that takes around an hour. Most likely to make you feel sick. It also causes infertility, immune suppression, headaches, fatigue, etc.
Advice to get you through ABVD Chemo
• Drink water! You're flushing a little more poison out of your system every time you drink.• Ask about Prochlorperazine, a take as a needed pill for nausea and vomiting.
• The best thing you can do for your body is to try to eat a well-balanced diet.
• Sometimes, you'll wonder if you belong in an insane asylum. You're being injected with tons of medication and steroids, so it's normal for this to take a mental toll.
• You don't need to put a definition to your mental condition; just remind you're loved ones about chemo brain.
• Speak up to the Doctor if you're experiencing horrible side effects.
• There are medications for anxiety. Take as-needed or long-term solutions.
• When you have energy, use it and try to exercise.
• Don't feel bad if you just have to sleep. You don't need to justify why you're in bed. This was one thing I struggled with as a mother.
• You are going to want to give up. Don't. There is a light at the end of this dark tunnel.
• Mentally & realistically, prepare yourself for hair loss. I suggest cutting your hair short in preparation. Then you might feel more in control of the hair loss by shaving. Embrace your baldness.
• Take help. People want to understand and be there to support you.
• Reach out to organizations like the Lymphoma Society for financial help and support.
• Document your story. I'm noticing a lift in silence and more people sharing what they endure through this disease and treatment. It helps the process of accepting your diagnosis, but more importantly, you're becoming a part of a movement to spread awareness.
• Finally, try to have a sense of humor about things. By no means is Cancer funny, but laughter cures the soul.
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