Hi S_J_R,

I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling anxious about the night sweats and the lumps above your collar bone and in your groin. I wanted to reply and say I completely empathise.

I'm in a similar situation playing the waiting game too, as I'm booked in to see a general surgeon on the 6th (as I had bowel surgery 6 years ago and so the GP thinks they're best placed to advise) but hoping I might get an earlier appt. I then hope to have a CT booked in as soon after that possible. It's so horrible waiting isn't it? I'm so stressed and anxious.

I also have a lump on my left collarbone, which I found mid Oct and it's still there. If anything, it feels smaller and harder than it was originally. Unfortunately, I've also had a strange popping, moving sensation deep in my left abdomen for the last 18 months but I didn't think anything of  it (stupidly didn't see the GP).

I finally saw the GP when I found the lump on my collar bone and they ran bloods and ordered an ultrasound. The bloods came back clear and so did the ultrasound but they were unable to see the tail of the pancreas. For the last month, I've had bad pain in my stomach/left side of abdomen, which is worse at night. 

I'm totally stressed with it all and, although I've tried avoiding Google, I haven't been at all successful and have ended up going down a Google rabbit hole with worst case scenarios. I totally understand how you feel! 

Helen

Hi Helen

Thank you so much for replying. Sorry to hear you're going through similar stress and wait. 

Was the ultrasound on the lump on your collarbone or abdominal ultrasound? Waiting until 6th must be difficult for you, hopefully they can get you in for a CT ASAP after that. I feel lucky in a sense that I have seen haematology so quickly after the GP referral but when you're thinking the worst, each day just feels like forever. My bloods were also fine but it still doesn't give me much reassurance. 

I keep thinking there's no way I have cancer, I'm too young, I would know if I had it, the lump is just from having my covid booster but then I also keep thinking what if and everytime I have a niggle I think maybe I do have cancer.

It's all the questions and not knowing that I'm finding difficult. I think if I did get diagnosed with cancer I could deal with it, but not knowing is just driving me insane. Google is definitely the worst place to be when your mind is in overdrive but it's so difficult to avoid it. 

Sam 

Oh thanks for thinking of me Helen. I'm okay, still anxious about things. I'm trying not to think about things and worry myself too much but the second I'm not occupied it's where my head goes. I also have the date for my ultrasound and biopsy, getting them Friday 7th. I was hoping it would be sooner but at least they're this week. 

How are you doing?

Sam

A blood test to find your CA-19 numbers will give you some indication. A high CA-19 number could indicate pancreatic cancer. 

Hi Sam, 

It's good news that you have the ultrasound this week too. Have you had your CT today? I hope that you've been ok if you've had it by now.

I feel like I'm completely in limbo at the moment until I speak with my GP again, as I've realised that I don't think BUPA will pay for my appointment with the private consultant which I'd booked on the 6th due to the GP letter discussing my previous bowel operation. I think with the cover we have, they won't think long enough time has elasped and may consider it a preexisting condition!  I'm going to speak to my GP on Thurs (have appt.) and ask them to refer me on the basis of the bump/node on my collar bone then BUPA cannot raise issue with this. It feels like I am back to square one, although I am going to also ask the GP to do a CA-19 blood test (as Mlj1980 has said) as this hasn't been done either. 

I'm still getting intermittent pain in my upper left abdomen - some days are better than others but every night I can feel the marble/pressure sensation under my left rib, the popping/moving sensation is still there as is the bump/node on my collar bone. I feel very anxious too. 

Helen

Thanks mlj1980 - I will ask my GP to do this for me. 

Hi Helen 

I had the CT this evening, it was fine unfortunately they couldn't tell me anything. He said that the turnaround for results is usually 2 weeks but it may be longer with covid so I really hope that they have my results by my appointment next week. 

I really hope that they will see you and you don't have to get a new referral put in. The wait is already long enough! Are you going to call your GP tomorrow to get their advice? I would definitely request that blood test, it seems like that is definitely a good place to start and hopefully get some answers pretty quickly.

I feel like I put every single niggle down to what if I have cancer. I have had achy legs this week and headaches and have been googling to see if they are linked with lymphoma.

I also think the fact that other people are worrying makes me more anxious. My Mam has been really worried and she's normally very laid back and in honesty buries her head in the sand so that just adds to my worry

Sam 

Hi Sam 

was your ct with contrast ? I am in similar situation to you and have to have a full body ct scan with contrast . 

Hi

Yeah it was, they did chest, abdomen and pelvis initially without the contrast and then with the contrast and they then did my neck and then added more contrast for my neck. 

It took around 20-30 minutes. Do you have a date for your scan yet? 

Hi Sam 

bo date as yet told it will be soon I just hate the waiting , currently feeling so weak . 

Is it a consultant that has referred you? How ling have you been unwell and what are your symptoms?

I feel very tired recently, like I could just sleep a lot but that could just be the fact that I'm out of routine with it being the holidays and the stress of all of this. 

The waiting is definitely the worst part. 

Hi Sam 

enlarged lymph nodes in neck and groin , drenching night sweats , itchy legs , losing weight , extremely tired all the time and they did bloods which were all abnormal . 

Hi Sam 

enlarged lymph nodes in neck and groin , drenching night sweats , itchy legs , losing weight , extremely tired all the time and they did bloods which were all abnormal . 

I hope you get some answers soon. I'm assuming you will have been referred under the 2 week wait?

My bloods were all normal which the GP was reassured with but haematology said that lymphoma won't necessarily show on your bloods. It's all very stressful and confusing. 

Yeah under 2 week referral however with Xmas and Covid seems to be delaying it , yeah my gp suspects lymphoma as you say it's just very stressful