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Tonsillitis and Hodgkin Lymphoma

yazmac
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Hello,

I have Hodgkin Lymphoma which I am currently undergoing chemo for.
However, for over a month now I have also had tonsillitis, I have had two courses of penicillin for this but it won't shift.

Taking penicillin while on chemo was tough (its taken four times a day on an empty stomach so timing it around my other meds was a nightmare) so I would rather not take this again. My tonsillitis hasn't caused me much bother, no fever or soreness so I was wondering if it is ok to just leave it?

My only concern is the length of time I have had it now, I do have lymphoma on the lymph nodes in my neck as well as my thymus but from looking online I can't see any info on tonsillitis as a symptom of Hodgkins disease or what to do if you have both!

  • Hi yazmac,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. It is hard to advise on your situation as really it's only those involved in your care who can do this. I would suggest discussing this with your doctor/specialist at the next opportunity - or giving them a call if you're concerned. They will be best placed to help.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline

    Hi Yazmac, sorry to hear that on top of Hodgkin you now have to worry about tonsillitis too. Hopefully doctors can sort it out promptly. 
     

    sorry to ask, but my son (13 years old) was diagnosed with Hodgkin last week, starting chemo on Monday, did it make you ill? How long have you been receiving chemo for? 
     
    Wishing you all the best 

    Dani 

  • Offline in reply to DaniRL

    Hello Dani,

    I was put on the chemo ABVD for 3 cycles (six treatments) for my stage 2 diagnosis, I am currently half way through this, after 4 treatments I will have another PET scan to see if any more chemo is needed or if my treatment needs to be altered. 
    I have been ok with my chemo treatment. It does make your hair fall out but I shaved all mine to lessen the trauma of this. The only side effect I have really had is tiredness, but sickenss and join pain is common in others.

    What I will advise is stick to the medicine plan they give you, try to not miss or delay any pills. Also drink plenty of water - aim for 2-3L a day. Chemo comes out your system via bodily fluids so this is a good way to feel better faster!

     

    There are really good - free - Hodgkins Lymphoma booklets you can get from BloodCancer UK, Macmillian and Lymphoma Action. Lymphoma Out Loud is also a good organisation for younger people with Lymphoma that your son might like to look at.

     

    I wish him all the best with his treatment!

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Ben

    Thanks Ben,

     

    I had a chat with one of my consultants at my last appointment but they are not concerened so we're just goinf to keep an eye on it for now.

  • Offline in reply to yazmac

    Thank you so much for replying so promptly. I am super nervous, a lot more than him. He has been diagnosed stage 2A, but he starts with 6 days chemotherapy  (mon - fri plus the following Monday, and then again the same in 2 weeks) - it sounds terribly long ... 

    Doctors seem to think it would be good for him to continue going to school in between treatments but I don't understand why they think that with Covid all around us. 
     

    So scared at the moment! 
     

    thank you so much for you advice - will also have a look at those sites in hope to be as ready as possible. 
     

    wishing you all the best with the remaining treatment and hope it never comes back! 

    dani  

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