Hi everyone, I'm new here. This is my first post. I'm 45, wife and mum of 1 teenage son and one fur baby. Not sure what I'm wanting from posting here, the comfort of those having similar experiences I guess, just support and kind words from those who understand more to the point probably. I feel very lonely right now.
It's been a very difficult 12 months to say the least and my strength is being tested to the limit. I'll summarise just the last year to keep it brief(ish);
*Total hysterectomy Nov 2020, infection a week later, back in hospital 2 weeks later for 8 days, many tests, scans and a 2nd operation to remove adhesions. Enlarged lymph node of 12mm found near thoracic aorta (?) then doctors later told me it was someone else and not me with it. 3 days after discharge I started with covid symptoms, on top of immediate menopause symptoms. Covid confirmed 18th December. 3 weeks of severe diahorrea and flu symptoms and unable to drink or eat much at all. Ambulance to A&E on Christmas day for oxygen and 2 bags IV fluid. Home 10pm Christmas day night. As the weeks progress I start getting all manner of symptoms from severe bone pain to heart palpitations. No histology for hysterectomy and treatment from hospital appalling. Consultant says if I want histology to write to medical university to request. I do that but ask for ALL my notes for that whole period. There in black and white is the CT report that states i have a 12mm lymph node that requires assessment.
Fast forward to July/August I went private as NHS was doing nothing and LFT's kept coming back not good, very high and indicated a problem with my liver. Another CT confirmed the original enlarged node that I was told wasn't me plus another at 2cm in the portacaval (?) area. I get diagnosed with PBC, a rare autoimmune disease of the liver. Weeks after I then out of the blue get 2 missed calls from my GP 2 weeks ago, followed by a text to say she was referring me urgently to surgeons regarding the 2nd lymph node found and then the next day a letter arrived saying I'm being referred on a 2WW upper GI for suspected cancer together with a leaflet to explain the 2ww system. A letter from hospital confirms a day later with a more detailed letter about me being on an urgent pathway for suspected cancer. Nice to be spoken to about it before reading this in a letter.
I go to my appointment at the hospital last week and the doctor I see has no idea what I'm doing there and asks me??. I've been sent to an outpatient gastroenterologist, not GI surgeons or oncology. It's been one *** up after another. Am now waiting for another appointment with the correct department. All the while trying not to freak out.
But I'm a mess. So sorry for such a long post, I just don't know what to think or do with myself. There's loads more to this saga but I'd be typing for weeks. Has anyone had enlarged nodes and been fine? Everything I read says anything over 1cm isn't ideal and 2cm is usually malignant :cry:
