Hi all,

I hope you’re well. 

My name is Holly, I’m 25 years old. apologies for the war and peace below, if you make it to the end, I owe you a coffee!

Over the last 2 months I’ve been back and forth with my GP over symptoms developing quite quickly. Initially I felt something was stuck in my throat continuously for approx 4 weeks. Knew I’d be turned away by the GP so didn’t bother having it looked at. It persisted, so I went and they noticed I had unilateral tonsils, no inflammation just swollen. Tried a course of clarithromycin, then penicillin and full blood works (which came back normal). All symptoms persisted as well as the introduction of a swollen (non painful) cervical lymph node. As far as I’m aware, no other swelling in other areas (groin/armpits) although I’m somewhat in denial about it all and don’t want to check. 

Important to note, tested positive for HPV on my first smear test this year (oh the joys of being a young lady) and also got extremely abnormal results on a liver function test, which I have read can be linked with lymphoma. I have lost approx 7 stone in the last 2 years, so not sure how it could be non alcoholic fatty liver disease, as I was told it was a few years ago when I was extremely overweight.

I was put on an urgent referral to an ENT specialist which I’ve been advised by the hospital will be about 8 weeks and the consultant who reviewed my referral agreed it needed to stay urgent and wasn’t downgraded, so will be seen by the end of august latest. Hopefully before!

As you can imagine, very stressed at the moment. Appreciate there’s a small chance it will be anything sinister due to my age, however symptoms are just not filling me with confidence.

I’m not really sure what to expect at my first appointment with the ENT team, has anyone got any ideas what I might need to prepare for? How quickly they will do any other tests?

I just want to rule out anything sinister and fingers crossed will be able to soon.

Thanks in advance for any answers, I feel really alone and everyone keeps saying “just wait for your appointment no use in stressing now”, which isn’t overly helpful during this wait

Thanks all,

Holly