Than you very much for replying. 

I briefly mentioned the breathlessness to her, but didn’t want to sound like a hypochondriac! I called the hospital and they said the waiting list is months long at the moment but they’ve put my name down for cancellations and to be seen at a wider range of hospitals to try and speed things up! I tried to call my GP today due to the other symptoms and I have an appointment with her next Friday so I’m trying to just keep calm until then, but I just say I can’t focus on anything. I know it is probably absolutely nothing but the mind can’t help but wander... 

I also just received a letter through from my repeat smear test saying that I’ve had another abnormal result - I’ve been going every 6 months for 2 years with abnormalities. 

Cant help but worry my body is trying telling me something isn’t right!! The only thing I’m hoping is that my neck swelling is getting increasingly painful and everything I read says if it’s “sinister” it’s usually painless! 

Sorry for the word vomit I’m just increasingly anxious! Xx

Hi Scotland,

Waiting for an appointment and then waiting for the results of any tests is one of the most worrying parts of our cancer journeys. Nobody knows your body better than you, so don't be afraid to push your case if need be. Sadly, many of us have had to do this.

You are right, a 'sinister' lesion is usually, but not always, painless. Once you notice something wrong, you start to imagine the worst. Fortunately, this seldom turns out to be the case.

The lymph nodes ocan swell up due to inflammation elsewhere in the body, so here's hoping that this is all that is wrong. I am sorry to hear about your abnormal smear tests - this must be quite worrying. Do you have to go back for further testing, or is it just a case of returning in 6 months?

Just listen to your body and act accordingly. You are young to have these problems and, need to get them addressed as soon as you can to allow you to get on with the rest of your life.

Please let us know how you get on with your GP and when you get your clinic appointment. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Yes, it is awful! You wish you could click your fingers and know the answer. I feel guilty pushing for something incase it turns out to be nothing and I’ve wasted time and resources. I have went to a different GP as the man I was seeing wouldn’t even check my neck after the bowel symptoms - he said I was depressed, prescribed me antidepressants and sent me on my way. I do suffer from depression but I am extremely aware of my mental health and found that very disheartening. 

I always just took the smear tests with a pinch of salt, yes they are abnormal but if further investigation was needed I was happy that the doctor would pick this up. However, in light of my recent problems I had thought that so many recurrent abnormal smears would have warranted further investigation? I am going to discuss this next Friday also! 

I think I may be overanalysing as it’s all hitting me at once. 

Thank you Jolamine, I will keep you all informed. You don’t know how much I appreciate your response, it’s really helped me with my anxieties! Xx

Hi Scotland,

I am glad to hear that you have made your appointment to see another GP in the practice, when the other GP was so dismissive. Don't worry about wasting doctor's time. If, heaven forbid, it does turn out to be cancer, the sooner you attend to it the better your chances will be.

It might be worth pointing out to the doctor you see your concerns about your abnormal smears over the past 2 years. You could ask if he feels that this warrants further investigation. I suspect that you would already have had a referral if your clinic thought that there was anything to worry about.

Can I suggest that you draw up a list of all your symptoms and roughly when they all started and give this to the doctor when you see him? Without this, it is all too easy to forget important points until after your consultation.

I have my fingers crossed that this doctor will pay you more attention and, actually listen to your complaints.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Yes I am going back to the GP who made my initial referral for my lump - she is really understanding! 

I totally agree - I think if it was anything to warrant further investigation then they would have done this already, but I will speak about it anyway just to clear my mind of one uncertainty! :) 

yea, I think I will write it all down chronologically, this will keep my thoughts in order as I often get flustered and dash through everything so I can get back out lol. 

Many thanks

Katie xx

Hi Katie,

I shall be thinking of you next Friday and hope that you get a more urgent referral.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

thank you, I will let you know! Xx

Hi all,

Had my blood results back and everything was normal. However, lymph nodes are still up, the ones on my neck and behind my ear are no longer sore but feel hard. The one in my armpit is a little tender. Both the Dr and my husband said they feel like they have gone down slightly since my first appointment. Going back to GP Monday so she can check they are still going down. They don't feel like they are to me, but then I'm incredibly anxious and constantly touching them so not sure I'd be able to tell.

I'm so frightened there is something sinister going on. Especially as they feel so hard and no longer sore. I don't know what to do with myself. Desperately trying to keep off of Google

Hi Rach,

I am glad to hear that nothing untoward has shown up in your blood tests. Try not to keep touching your lymph nodes. If you keep doing this, they are likely to be tender.

Do your best to stay away from Dr Google - he won't do you any favours. I hope that, when you see your GP on Monday, your lymph nodes are still going down.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx