Hi
I am a retired Helicopter Engineer, I had non Hodgkins about 4 years ago. I came back from a Far East holiday to tell my GP I had been doing too much swimming, as I had pains in my sides. He did not believe it was swimming, and sent me first for an ultra sound, then when that showed nothing, a cat scan, that showed enlarged lymph glands, and a specialist told me what it was. I asked him what were my chances, and he said about 50/50.
To cut a long story short, I had six doses of chemotherapy, a bone biopsy, a sample of lymph fluid done using the cat scan stopped in one place, a bone marrow biopsy, and three pet scans,(a catscan with radioactive dye injected into your system). I was also taking 12 tablets a day, and three injections of heparin to counter a blood clot.
The chemotherapy reduces your energy, and makes your hair fall out, it also made me feel the cold badly.
I am as far as anyone can tell completely clear, and feel normal, but the treatment takes about 2 years before you are back to normal
Hope this gives you some hope.