Hodgkins Disease Treatment in India

Michael Sharma, a 28-year-old high school...

Michael Sharma, a 28-year-old high school biology teacher, had always been active and health-conscious. Over several months, he developed a persistent, dry cough and debilitating fatigue that made grading papers a struggle. He dismissed it as stress, but when a painless, rubbery lump appeared on the side of his neck, he grew concerned. His primary care doctor found more swollen lymph nodes under his arm and ordered a biopsy. The results confirmed Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma, Stage IIA. His oncologist, Dr. Chen, recommended a treatment plan of 2-4 cycles of chemotherapy (likely ABVD) followed by targeted radiation, explaining the high cure rates. Michael struggled through chemo; the nausea and 'chemo brain' were brutal, and losing his hair shook his confident identity. He leaned on his students' encouraging cards and his family's support. After completing treatment, a PET scan showed no evidence of disease. While relieved, Michael's emotional journey was complex. The initial diagnosis brought fear and a sense of his mortality. Post-treatment, he felt profound gratitude but also a lingering anxiety before each follow-up scan. He returned to teaching with a new empathy for those facing illness and a deeper appreciation for his health.