referred to Heamatology

hey guys! 

Hope you're all well in these crazy times. 

I found a lump in my groin back in April and was referred for an ultrasound. They advised to keep an eye on it to see if it grows or doesn't go away within a month or two as it was a swollen lymphnode. It didn't disappear and grew just a tiny bit. I decided to go back to my doctor just to be in the safe side, I've since been referred for a CT scan and bloods and to heamatology. 

 

My bloods I believe have come back normal and awaiting for CT scan to come back and have an appointment with heamatology on Thursday. 

My question really is if my bloods are normal could this still be something serious? I just feel like i'm wasting a doctors time when someone else might really need it. Although, my mind has been in overdrive. 

if you can also let me know what to expect from my first appointment when my bloods and Ct have already been done please help :) 

 

i thought it'd be a good idea to add my other symptoms: tired, shortness of breath and sometimes pain in my hip

Thanks, 

  • Hello curtiswayne8 and thanks for posting, 

    I am sorry to learn that you are having tests and are due to see a haematologist tomorrow. Inevitably, waiting to find out if anything is the matter is unnerving and I can understand you having questions. 

    A number of different tests can be done on a blood sample, I am not sure exactly what your GP asked for, but it sounds like in your situtaion they can't be sure that everything is ok otherwise you wouldn't need the CT scan and haematology referral as well.  But having said that normal blood tests are still a good thing. Making a diagnosis is a bit like doing a jigsaw and different bits with various results and findings have to be joined up to get the whole picture. When one or another blood tests isn't normal it might point to an active disease process in the body, but I don't think normal tests can always rule cancer out however I expect each specific context has a bearing on this.

    Try and stand back and let the doctors do their thing, they need to check you out properly which is in many ways reassuring even though the process is unsettling. There is no way to find out any more at the moment, and I can't second guess what will happen tomorrow, but hopefully the haematologist will be in a position to explain the CT results, tell you what they think and if anything else needs to be done. Don't be shy of asking questions if they mention something you don't understand. I hope it goes well. 

    Try not to overthink it for now and take things one step at a time. 

    Best wishes, 

    Julia

  • Hello! 
     

    I hope you're well.

    I had my appointment and the doctor I saw wasn't the best. She made me feel like I was being silly. However, I still have this lump there over a year later. It was confirmed as a lymph node, but CT looked fine and bloods were fine. Do you think it's worth getting back in touch with the doctors? 

  • Hello and thanks for your further post

    I do think because you were seen by a haematologist who specialises in examining lymph nodes, had a CT scan, and were told everything was fine, you should be reassured. I say this because they have the expertise in this field.

    If you are still worried perhaps you should speak to your GP about your concerns. Usually they would get a summary letter from the hospital with the scan results and conclusions of the specialist. Hopefully, this will reassure you.

    Kind regards,

    Celene