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Terrified I have Lymphoma

flower411
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Hi I'm a 35yr old women and I'm currently going through a health scare with Lymphoma and could really use some advice to calm me down. Around 8weeks or so ago I was really unwell with a nasty virus and ended up with an ear and chest infection, I was ill for a month or so and had to have antibiotics. Towards the end of my illness I noticed 2 glands on my left side in my neck and one on my collarbone were enlarged. I had docs appointments, they chalked it up to me being unwell and said they were about 1cm and moveable so not worried. Fast forward the nodes reduced in size to 5mm so docs thought all was well. However so many weeks down the line and they are still raised roughly around 5mm but feel quite firm to me. Other symptoms I have had have been discomfort in my neck, including if I touch the glands. I have quite bad neck pain on my right side which makes turning my head to the right painful- this may or may not be related. I have also had an itchy scalp on and off and have also noticed on two occasions pain in my neck where the glands are afyer drinking. 

I have had bloods done, which came back fine but because of the pain when drinking my doctor referred me to ENT. I lost my Dad to Lymphoma and I'm absolutely terrified I have it. I have two young children and it's all I can't think about. I have my ent appointment tomorrow at 4 30 and I'm just so scared of the potential that there is something wrong and the waiting time to find this out will drive me mad with anxiety. 

  • Hello Flower411

    I'm sorry to hear about all that you've been through with your health recently. it's understandable that you were feeling anxious. 

    How did you get on at your ENT appointment yesterday? I hope that the team was able to give you some reassurance. 

    If there's anything you'd like to talk through with our nurses you can call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Offline

    Hi, I'm sorry I can't help with advice but I wanted to let you know that you aren't alone. I have two children and I'm a 35yr old mum myself. I also have a swelling in my superclavicular area. I just made a post about it. I haven't been referred to ENT but the breast clinic because of my inability to speak up for myself. I have the swallowing problems you describe. It's more of a tugging feeling for me around the area of the lump. I'm wondering now whether it could be due to a viral infection or something because my family have had covid recently and I didn't catch it. Though I have got "long covid" and can't smell or taste much since October last year. I also found photos on Google that show this area to be enlarged in some people when they have a covid infection. Personally I'm hoping that I now just have reactive glands after having the first infection. How is everything going?

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Jenn

    Thanks for your reply. Sadly not. The appointment was not what I expected. I went in he felt my neck, said yes that he was going to out me trhough for a scan but wouldn't really discuss what he felt and his thoughts on this. I mentioned the pain when drinking really concerned me and he said not to think too much about that as its textbook/google stuff and most patients don't come in with that symptom. So reading between the lines I'm assuming he thinks that just a bit of information I have got from Google and obsessing over. However o really have had this symptom and that's what worries me. He then went on to tell me that lymphoma I'd obviously not a good diagnosis but it is one that they can cure. This exact sentence was said to my dad who then died from it. So not gone down well at all to be honest. 

  • Offline in reply to joyce.a88

    Thanks for your reply. I'm sorry to hear what your going through. So I don't have any issues swallowing. However I'm getting the same feeling of tightness and almost like a pulling sensation. Problem is I can't tell exactly where its coming from. Sometimes it feels like the pulling is at the side of my neck, sometimes the back and Sometimes from the collarbone area where my node is. Same for the two in the left side of my neck. 

    I would really urge you to try to speak up. It's too important not too for yours and your children's sake. It could all just be down to reactive nodes but you don't want to prolong the uncertainty. Call your doctors and explain your concerns about if you going to the right place. They should be able to support you in making sure you go to the right department. They won't want to waste the resources or time sending you to the wrong place. I hope you get some answers soon. Xx

  • in reply to flower411

    Hello Flower411

    I'm sorry that your appointment yesterday hasn't left you feeling reassured. It's understandable that you're anxious about things particularly given your Dad's experience. 

    If you want to raise your concerns with someone then you can get in touch with the hospital PALS team. It's part of their role to help resolve concerns or problems when you're using the NHS. 

    I hope that you don't have to wait too long for your scan and that the results bring some reassurance. 

    Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

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