Lymphoma worry

I discovered a lump in my neck in September and recently had an ultrasound scan and biopsies. I’m anxiously awaiting the results and was wondering if anyone has any coping mechanisms they can recommend?  I’ve had a call from my GP to say that there were two enlarged lymph nodes that are suspicious and I should get results and an urgent appointment within 2 weeks. I’m only 6 days in to the wait and am afraid I may go mad - I feel panic and hysteria rise up in my throat when I go out and can’t wait to be back at home where I feel safer. Can anyone relate to this and if so, how can I get through the wait without completely melting down? Thanks in advance for any tips <3

Parents
  • No tips unfortunately, but going through the same thing which started in august/September. Pain and pressure has gradually got worse. 

    Do you have any pain with it at all?

    Like you, I am thinking the worst and freaking out, I cant take my mind off it because the feeling is always there.

  • Aw thanks for replying - I had no pain prior to the biopsies but have been having problems with my ears and balance for some time. I wasn’t too concerned until the scan and biopsy but I’m now besides myself and am struggling to act “normal” around people (which is why I think I feel safer at home). I’m very tearful and feel foolish if I break down in front of anyone as I don’t know if I have anything to cry about yet.

    Are you also waiting for biopsy results? Sending love and good luck vibes

  • Hi Lucy - I totally understand your fear as I was a total wreck before my diagnosis.  All I can tell you really is that the period of waiting after the ultrasound was the worse for me.  Once I had my diagnosis I found an inner strength from somewhere and just went with the flow.  I’ve just had surgery to remove lymph nodes in my neck and some of the base of my tongue. I knew deep down at the time of my ultrasound that it wasn’t going to be good news for me, 3 biopsies were taken there and then, and I was told that they were suspicious.  

    Hopefully your ultrasound will show an innocent lump and you can move on and forget about it, and I will keep my fingers crossed for you.  Try and read others posts on here though if it does turn out to be suspicious, as there are so many positive stories to inspire you, and a huge amount of support too.  Try and keep your mind occupied between now and then and please let me know how you get on.  Wishing you all the luck in the world xx

  • Hi Lucy, how does your lump feel, I can't stop stressing over mine, I'm waiting for an ultrasound letter to come through but I'm so scared and nervous! 

  • Hey, just wanted to say I had a lump (lymph nodes) and also a new raised area under my skin in the right side of my neck. I eventually had an MRI and an US but apparently completely normal.

    Good luck. I know how horrible it is waiting and not knowing.

  • Thank you! Mine is just above my collarbone but is pea sized and does move, unfortunately I keep googling it and it's giving me the worst outcomes, I'm terrified! 

  • I did the same thing, and because I have other health issues, I was convinced it would be bad news. Try to stop googling it and keep busy. I also have a pea sized lump in my neck that is movable too Fingers crossed for you  

  • The pea sized lump you have, was it one of the ones that came back okay on the ultrasound? 

  • Yes both MRI and US didn't reveal any abnormalities 

  • Fingers crossed then  thank you so much! Glad everything came back okay for you!

  • Hi mine is on the right just below my ear and jaw it isn't painful it feels hard but when I move my neck it feels spongy and its moveable I had my ent appointment last week he put the camera up my nose he said that all looked fine but because its not painful he has put me in for a ultrasound and biopsy for next Tuesday I do have a wisdom tooth that is virtually nonexistent basically just a bit of tooth and the roots it doesn't cause me any pain but he said it could be because of that I'm praying that is the reason I just feel like my life has been on hold for the past 4 weeks with all the worry I haven't told any of my family because I don't want my kids worrying I have done the wrong thing by constantly looking at the Internet and now i feel like i have other symptoms but i do think they are just symptoms caused by the worry and lack of sleep.I hope yours is nothing to worry about x

Reply
  • Hi mine is on the right just below my ear and jaw it isn't painful it feels hard but when I move my neck it feels spongy and its moveable I had my ent appointment last week he put the camera up my nose he said that all looked fine but because its not painful he has put me in for a ultrasound and biopsy for next Tuesday I do have a wisdom tooth that is virtually nonexistent basically just a bit of tooth and the roots it doesn't cause me any pain but he said it could be because of that I'm praying that is the reason I just feel like my life has been on hold for the past 4 weeks with all the worry I haven't told any of my family because I don't want my kids worrying I have done the wrong thing by constantly looking at the Internet and now i feel like i have other symptoms but i do think they are just symptoms caused by the worry and lack of sleep.I hope yours is nothing to worry about x

Children
  • Fingers crossed for you that's it's all been down to the wisdom tooth. I feel exactly the same, my life has just flipped upside down since finding it, can't concentrate on anything other than that and like you said, I don't know if the symptoms that I can feel are all in my head or if it's serious, just want to find out now and get it all sorted x