Oscar's Hodgkin's Lymphoma Fund

Hello my name is Alicia Suarez and my husband Oscar Suarez was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma on June 30, 2017. Hodgkin's Lymphoma, formerly known as Hodgkins disease, is a cancer of the lymphatic system, a part of the immune system. Cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally and eventually can spread to other areas of the body. With Oscar only being 33, married and with two lovely daughters finding out he had cancer was the last thing we ever expected. Oscar had discovered a painless lump on his neck one day after getting home from work in February 2017. We thought maybe he had pulled a muscle since it was a little swollen. In about a week the swelling had gone down and never bothered  him so we never got it checked out. Then we had just found out at our daughters 6 month check-up that she had hip dysplasia (dislocated hip). Being breeched was the cause of that but she never showed signs of it until then. So she needed surgery by an orthopedic specialist. So we traveled several times to Lubbock.  So our main focus was on her at this point. Until the weekend of Father's Day  morning I remember Oscar waking up to a HUGE  lump on the right side of his neck, It was so big, he felt as if the swelling was trying to block his airway. That's when I was like okay, its time to make an appointment. So we went to a family doctor to have it checked out. She ordered labs to be drawn, assessed him, asked about certain symptoms, within minutes she explained to us  that she was a little concerned because of his WBC and platlets were a bit elevated so she wanted to order an ultrasound. After a day or two, I got a call from the PA saying the radiologist had seen something a little abnormal so he recommended a biopsy. Oscar and I were still in denial believing it would be an infection of some sort. However after the biopsy was completed, the surgeon came out of the the waiting room and told me the preliminary report showed it was Hodgkins Lymphoma. I couldnt believe what I was hearing, it was as if it was a dream. After the news, everything began happening so quickly. A PET scan and an Echcardiogram was then scheduled. A day after the echo was done,  we recieved a call from the oncologist saying that the cardiologist had gotten the results and that he needed to go to the ER to be admitted because he had retained fluid around his heart and it needed to be removed before it caused more problems. Oscar ended up being hospitalized for a week. Within that week he had the pericardial effusion, a bone marrow, a port a cath inserted, labs, x-ray, and an echo before removal of the drainge tube. After being discharged he had a follow up appointment for another echo to be sure he wasn't building up fluid again. The oncologist also ordered a pulmonary function test before he started his treatments. The day finally came to meet with the oncologist to hear the results of everything and her care plan treatment. We were told he is at a stage 3. According to his PET scan it showed in the neck, chest, and spleen.  We were told ABVD chemotherapy is the standarad chemo for patients with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The oncologist has scheduled him to go twice a month for six months depending on how his body responds to it. He has had his first chemo and is doing great! He did have a few side effects hours later but hopefully he stays like that throughout his whole treatment plan. All funds generated from this account will be used to help pay for medical bills, treatment , doctor visits and living expenses. We are Thankful for any and all of the support we will receive whether its prayer reaching out or helping with funds. Once again Thank you for your Blessings!