Hodgkin's History

A Timeline of Diagnosis and Treatment...

  • June 2007
    • Diagnosed with Nodular Sclerosing Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Stage 3b
    • PET/CT Scan shows a massive pericardial effusion and a mediastinal mass measuring 12.3cm with intensive PET uptake. A Pericardial Window surgery is performed.
    • Symptoms leading to diagnosis included: pains in upper right quadrant of abdomen, persistent cough, fatigue, night-sweats and weight loss.
  •  July-December 2007
    • 6 Cycles of ABVD Chemotherapy regimen
  • January 2008
    • Diagnosed with Refractory Non-Sclerosing Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Stage 3b
    • PET/CT Scan reveals an anterior mediastinal mass with intense PET uptake, consistent with a metabolically active malignancy, as well as new diffuse airspace opacities within the mid lungs with mild to moderate PET uptake.
    • Bronchoscopy and additional chest Xrays are negative for malignancy in the lungs.
  • February 2008
    • PET/CT Scan shows a significant increase in the size of the mediastinal mass after only 6 weeks, now measuring at 6.4cm x 3.4cm with increased PET uptake, as compared to 5.7cm x 2cm x 2cm on the previous scan. A new pericardial nodule measuring at 1.3cm is discovered as well.
    • Two cycles of ICE Salvage Chemotherapy is recommended.
  • March 2008
    • 2 Cycles of ICE Salvage Chemotherapy regimen. 
  • April 2008
    • PET/CT Scan shows a reduction in the mediastinal mass, now measuring at 4.8cm x 2.7cm with moderate PET uptake, as compared to 6.4cm x 3.4cm on previous scan.
    • Two additional cycles of ICE chemotherapy is recommended, to be followed by an Autologus Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant (SCT).
  • May 2008
    • 2 additional cycles of ICE Salvage Chemotherapy regimen are completed, causing severe Hemmoragic Cystitis (hospitalization required).
  • June – July 2008
    • Stem cell mobilization with high-dose Cytoxan chemotherapy and Neupogen.
    • Apherisis collection of Stem Cells in preparation for Autologus SCT.
  • August 2008
    • Autologus Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant with BEAM Conditioning Chemotherapy.
  • December 2008
    • PET/CT Scan shows mediastinal mass with PET uptake. Radiation therapy is recommended.
  • December 2008 - January 2009
    • Regimen of 25 radiation therapy treatments. Remission achieved. 
  • January – May 2009
    • Tested Macrobiotic diet as alternative homeopathic treatment (*this was not a physician’s recommended treatment).
  • May 2009
    • PET/CT Scan shows mediastinal mass and pericardial / pulmonary nodules. Recommended salvage treatment is an Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant.
  • July – August 2009
    • 6 week back-packing tour through Europe (Carpe Diem!) prior to anticipated Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant in August.
  • August 2009
    • PET/CT Scan upon return from Europe shows spontaneous regression of the mediastinal mass and pericardial nodules and lymph nodes.
    • Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant is cancelled!
  • October 2009
    • PET/CT Scan shows slight growth and increased PET uptake in mass and lymph nodes after 6 weeks.
    • Rituxan therapy is recommended treatment.

  • November - December 2009
    • 4 Doses of Rituxan Therapy administered.
  • February 2010
    • PET/CT Scan reveals new nodule in left lung as well as mediastinal mass.
    • Lung Segmentectomy (LVATS) biopsy is positive for malignancy.
    • Recommended treatment is two cycles of salvage chemotherapy followed by an Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant. 
  • March – April 2010
    • Salvage Chemotherapy 

  • July – August 2010
    • Conditioning Chemotherapy of Fludarabine, Melphalan and Campath.
    • Allogenic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant with an unrelated donor matched on all tested HLA markers.

  • October 2010
    • PET/CT Scan shows that the two 4mm pulmonary nodules in the left lower lobe have been stable for more than 1 year, and no evidence of malignancy in neck, chest, abdomen or pelvis.
    • Skin biopsy is positive for mild chronic Graft versus Host Disease (cGVHD).

  • April 2011
    • PET/CT Scan shows no evidence of malignancy in neck, chest, abdomen or pelvis.
    • Admitted to hospital to control cGVHD of the gut.  Placed on high-dose steroids.

  • May 2011
    • Admitted to hospital to manage high blood pressure and heart-rate due to increase in steroids to control cGVHD.

  • June 2011
    • Admitted to hospital to determine cause of radically decreasing blood/platelet counts.
    • Bone Marrow Biopsy shows 100% donor cells, but also damage to marrow environment from chemotherapy.  Marrow not producing cells rapidly enough to maintain healthy levels.  Promacta prescribed.
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