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Cirrhosis, Enlarged spleen and Possible Cancer..

Hope4132
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This is my third post and honestly, week after week, something new starts happening.

I was in hospital recently for 8 days and had a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, enlarged spleen (at 19cm) and new type 2 diabetes.

During the CT, they discovered a swollen lymph node under my arm and initially said that it would be checked in 6 months.

One week after leaving hospital, I started bleeding very heavily from the back passage where an ambulance had to be called and I spent the night in A&E.

The surgical doctor did an examination, blood tests and referred me to another gastro team.

My own GP is very concerned and did a few stool samples including a FIT test.

Two days later a letter came in to say that I have an appointment for an ultrasound guided core biopsy of the lymph node, which is in just over 2 weeks.

It’s confirmed that they are checking for possible cancer cells from the breast and I’m absolutely terrified.

This week I have developed a cold like no other and cannot stop coughing- feeling miserable and like there is no end to all of this.

My GP has also referred me to the Gastro team again after he received my FIT test results and other stool samples.

I’m so scared of the possibility of cancer as cirrhosis at 29 is hard enough to take in along with the spleen all while trying to manage diabetes.

The wait is definitely the worst part and I currently can’t even leave the house without picking up a severe infection or with being in pain.

I’ll update this when I know more.

If anyone has any advice or experience with lymph node biopsies I’d appreciate it!

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    Hello Hope4132, 

    Poor you, you have been through so much recently having to deal with cirrhosis as well as this enlarged spleen and type 2 diabetes and now all this happening too at such a young age. It is a real cumulation of things and I can imagine it is all a bit much really - luckily, it sounds like they are taking things seriously after you ended up in A&E and it's only a matter of time now before you find out more and get a full diagnosis. 

    Waiting truly is the hardest part as so many members of our community will know only too well and I thought I would share with you some helpful tips to help you cope while waiting for important news. I hope that you will hear from others here who have had experience of lymph node biopsies and that they will be along to share their story with you. Thanks for updating us when you find out more - we are certainly keeping everything tightly crossed for you!

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Update**

    The biopsy didn’t have to be done as the swollen lymph nodes had gone down. I thought that was great until my gastro consultant put on a 2 week wait urgent colonoscopy for suspected cancer because of heavy unexplained rectal bleeding and a lump on the right side of my stomach. The procedure is on Sunday and the doctors are quite concerned.

    Two days ago I had an urgent x ray of my right tibia/fibula as there is a lump, severe pain at night, and it aches when I walk.

    yesterday evening the phone rang and I was told that out of nowhere, the doctors have referred me (2 week wait again) to gynae. The appointment is on the 25th June. Things really aren’t looking good and I’m struggling a bit with everything that’s going on.

    trying to stay positive but not great mentally at this point, i’ll update again when I can 

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