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The true feat isn’t escaping death, rather, learning how to live.

As Told By: Brandi
Written on October 2, 2008
Posted in the Feature category.


This was originally a post over on the Hodge Board, but thought it a good enough post for here:

Well, hello!

Some of you know me a little, and some of you have no freaking clue who I am! That’s ok. I will still update you anyhow, lol.

I fell off the face of the earth this summer. The main contributing factor to that would be the prednisone. onc actually got me up to 70mg/day at one point. according to one of my nurses, that is a “very very very high dose”. I will tell you, those who don’t know, prednisone is a hell of a drug and wears you down like NOTHING!

I have had rage like a madman - screaming and screaming and screaming. i have gained 55 pounds. retained a LOT of water.

and that’s all just from the prednisone.

the chemo in general has created a lot of problems for me. constant state of, not what I would call chemobrain, but mental issues. Continue Reading »



There are One Response to “The true feat isn’t escaping death, rather, learning how to live.”




This site has been attacked by Chemobrain!

For anyone that truly knows me, knows that I am SUPER picky about spelling and typos. so much of a frustration and pet peeve of mine, that I decided to leave my site typo-as-is. What does this mean? This means that when I write a post or a story, when I omit a word, put in the wrong word, transpose my words, or just plain write something completely wrong, I am going to leave it and not fix it. You ask why I will leave it if I am so picky about grammatical errors? It's because my errors in writing will help to show exactly what state of mind I am in at the present time, and exactly how much this process, my meds and the chemo is really effecting me. So the long and short of it is, you get Brandi in the raw. Do please have patience with my misspellings and misspeaking, it only makes this whole thing more...Authentic.


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The Chemo Chronicles - 8.1.08

Whew, let me tell you.  That was an AWESOME two weeks off of chemo.  But, I did have to go back on Friday to start my 14-day cycle again.  During my 14 days off, I pretty much started to feel normal again.  My appetite calmed down, the chemobrain went away within a couple days (for the most part), and my night sweats stopped!  Yup, that’s right.  They straight up stopped.  I think it was the Prednisone doing it, we’ll see if I start having them again during this go-round.

I was excited to have Jan, my very first chemo nurse, again.  As with the other nurses to this point, this was her first time giving me the Nitrogen Mustard. Continue Reading »


As Told By: Brandi | Written on August 3, 2008 | Posted in the The Chemo Chronicles catagory.
There are 3 Responses to “The Chemo Chronicles - 8.1.08”



Half-way normal.

Sooo.  Wow.  A post.  I promised one again soon and here it is.  I’m doing tons better.  Feeling mostly great.  Tired though.  Though, Brandon, that guy that came and saw me the one time at the cancer center - yes, the Hodgkin’s survivor, told me that I will be tired for about a year after all of this is said and done.  They call it post-cancer fatigue.  Not quite sure why it happens, but it does.  Sigh.  I will get my energy back one day.

Most of the chemo (which I think is mostly prednisone) effects have finally worn off.  I think by Saturday I was pretty much back to normal.  Lord, it took a week and a day.  Friday I was still feeling it, but by Saturday I was good to go.  Sunday I was able to go out and do some running around, and did ok.

But just think - I only have 4 days to go and I start it all over again. Continue Reading »


As Told By: Brandi | Written on September 22, 2008 | Posted in the Feature, Progress catagory.
There are 5 Responses to “Half-way normal.”



My Day At The Zoo…Well, ER.

Oooh, what a fun day.  My daughter had a sleep over at the YMCA last night, and needed me to pick her up this morning.  I was glad to have her back, and also very anxious to get back home and get back to sleep as I have been up since 4 AM this morning.  Ugh.

Well, I’ve mentioned the neuropathy thing in the past.  Quite a few times I know.  I think I have also mentioned that has caused me to fall the past couple weeks.  It comes out of nowhere, and my legs just turn to jello.  They just melt beneath me.  Well, I guess my neuropathy decided to kick in again this morning.  Out of nowhere, was doing JUST DANDY, when my legs gave, then I fell off the curb, then down to the asphalt.  Bad thing is, the parking lot was not nice and clean, all pitted with rocks and gravel everywhere.  Was quite bad.  I couldn’t even get up for a couple minutes.  It hurt so badly.  I just layed there on the ground unable to get up.  The “adult lady” at the Y eventually helped me up and I cried hysterically all the way home.  :( Continue Reading »


As Told By: Brandi | Written on September 27, 2008 | Posted in the Feature, One Life To Live catagory.
There are 4 Responses to “My Day At The Zoo…Well, ER.”



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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services. LLS's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.


My Heart's All A-Twitter


Don't know what twitter is? Twitter is a sweet "program" that let's you stay in touch with others vis cell phone, computer, crackberry, and many other ways. Throughout the day send and receive updates to and from others and let them know what you're doing. I have made a couple friends using Twitter and get addicted to answering Twitter's main question... "What are you doing?". Try it, you will find it fun - Just click the "Follow LymphomaChick" link on the bottom of my Twitter badge!



Please keep in mind that I am not a medical professional, and any statements made by me or others on this site do not constitute medical fact. I am merely someone that is living through Hodgkin's Lymphoma and am only sharing what I have been through and am currently going through. Please also note that I do not personally endorse, agree with or attest to the accuracy of any excerpt, site or quote listed within this site or that is linked off of this site. If you have any questions on your health and medical safety, it is always important to contact your physician or a medical professional.
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