r/ISurvivedCancer

Hi all,

I’m very new to the valve replacement world so bear with me.

I’m a 33f and in 2008, at 15, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma stage 1. I had chemotherapy including doxycycline and 14 treatments of chest radiation. Finished treatment and was good to go. Today, I have not physical problems lasting from treatment. Had a breast cancer scare last fall but everything was fine. Since 2008, I have been getting Echos every two years to check heart function. In 2021, my Echo came back as “mild to moderate aortic valve regurgitation” and I was put in with a cardiologist that specializes with oncology patients. I had no symptoms and my heart function was fine besides this. I have annual visits with my cardio, had other normal tests including like carotid US and CT calcium score, and even got my echos pushed back to two years again (I was having them every year). However, I just had my annual visit and first echo since 2024. The results showed still the mild to moderate regurgitation but according to my dr, it’s now more on the moderate side. Heart function still normal and I’m still asymptomatic. Dr starting talking about open heard surgery for valve replacement if it keeps getting worse

My questions for y’all:

1. Is there a less invasive surgery. The doc talked like at younger ages, they would only do open heart. I was overwhelmed in the appt and didn’t think to ask more.

2. Is there anything I can do to slow down progression? I’m at a good weight, work out regularly, have normal bp that even runs on the lower side, and eat decent. My doc said there is really nothing but I didn’t know if anyone has seen success with anything?

I welcome all feedback!

Hi, little background. I was 14 when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Went through treatment for 6 months, was declared in remission. Went back to my life, almost a year later exactly on my declared remission date, I was told I relapsed. Went through 4 months of chemo, and then a stem cell transplant with hardcore chemo and radiation. I’ve been in remission since March 2019.

After all that I went back to my life. Had a few anxiety and depression times. Did well for a few years. I recently started a full time job as I am now 23, I will be graduating from online college in December. Anytime I started anything new, have the slightest change in my routine I go into panic mode, start crying, hyperventilating, shaking, waking up in panic.

I am on anxiety & depression medications, and just started seeing a psychiatrist and she recommended therapy, which I declined while going through treatments (looking back I regret it now). I’m just looking to see if anyone else has had any similar experiences and how they over came it. I don’t understand why 7 years later I’m struggling so much.