I have waited since the end of March for someone, anyone to tell me something about what is happening to me. It is now getting toward the 8 weeks later when I have an appointment with the hematology hospital for blood tests before I have any contact with anyone about it all. I feel totally lost!

Hi Merryxmas,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I’m still chasing one for my ongoing symptoms. It probably doesn’t feel like much consolation, but my understanding is that Lymphoma is certainly one of the more beatable cancers. Two colleagues of mine have been in remission from Lymphoma for a while now.

I highly recommend you give one of the nurses a call to hopefully allay your fears and get a handle on what the process ahead of you looks like. The number is 0808 800 4040.

Dave

Hi Dave

I hope it’s ok to jump in here! I’ve been reading your previous posts as I am in somewhat a similar position.I have had swollen lymph nodes in my neck since March 2018 have had several ultrasound’s always saying reactive even though I have not been sick... The biggest one on the right side under jaw has started getting bigger since February it is now at 2.5cm ( had an ultrasound again yesterday) in January it was 1.5 then March 2cm , I have been put on Antibiotics now for ten days then another ultrasound in two weeks if it hasn’t gone down they will do an excisional biopsy....Ent dr says the ultrasound of the nodes appear to be reactive and normal configuration of nodes but he said it’s too big so needs to be biopsied if antibiotics don’t help, I’m very anxious about this have been for over a year now and my neck feels like it’s throbbing in the area of node under my jaw.I also have twins! A boy and girl they are 22months old and I have an older daughter who is nearly 4! I’m more scared for them if this is something bad. I’m sorry for the long post just feeling terrified and wanting to chat with others in a similar situation.

Take care 

Miks

Hi Miks,

First of all, you should be congratulated on your persistence with getting multiple US’s done and not accepting that it’s something you should assume is infection related and you just soldier on, i.e. I think you’ve done the right thing so far. I think it’s actually reassuring that you have no other symptoms as it suggests to me that it’s localised at least (but I’m no expert!).

If antibiotics do the trick, I’d be both relieved AND annoyed by it. I understand the reluctance these days to prescribe antibiotics, but there seems to be a ‘last resort’ attitude at play which can mean people suffer unnecessarily. I’ve not been prescribed them even though my throat was the first area to become inflamed.

I relapsed into a slight fever and night sweat again (this time with added stomach tenderness!) last night and the throat feels swollen without having a defined/particular node of concern. So I’m seeing my GP again in an hour’s time, more due to the fact I have chronic headaches and tinnitus into the bargain.

I really wish my US included a biopsy because I have no idea whether my ‘reactive nodes’ could be cancerous as a result of a primary tumor elsewhere. So I am glad that you could at least be getting a biopsy done to confirm once and for all that you’re ok. Please ask as many questions of the medical staff when you get the chance (I can think of 3 that I wish I’d asked the ENT Specialist when I saw him a few days ago). They’re a much better source of information than Dr Google!

You say the node is throbbing? Again, I’ve read that pain/tenderness can be a good sign that you’re fighting an infection only. If it’s any consolation, in spring 2017, I had similar symptoms to you (prominent submandibular node) and saw a Maxilofacial specialist privately about it. He said there was nothing to worry about (the node shrunk to normal over a month or so) but was interested to know my ‘past’ as he was speculating I might have an autoimmune disease such that I was prone to infection. Blood tests have since discounted any such disease, and I wonder if you have had recent blood tests? Although they can’t reveal early cancer, they can go some way to discounting the presence of advanced cancer - and they can test for autoimmune diseases and some viruses.

Dave

Hi Dave

thanks for getting back to me and sorry your not feeling so good, I hope the Dr is trying to get the source of the problem for you so you can finally get some answers too,it really is so frustrating not knowing what is wrong. How big were your lymph nodes when you had the ultrasound? I am just worried as mine have kept growing ...slowly but have never gone down, part of me is happy the form of them are still ok according to the ultrasound but there has to be a reason for this enlargement??I have had several CBC’s and everything has been normal. As for symptoms I am not sick that’s for sure but I have had problems with my right eye since this began I am back to eye clinic Monday and I have developed a bony lump on my right foot and left shoulder along with hip pain ( left side) and also pain in the top of my left arm it’s not constant it seems to come and go so hopefully it’s not anything bad of course my mind wanders and I have times I think it’s spread to my bones but my GP said the lumps are nothing? I did ask her should we do an x ray but she said no need??? The only other thing is the last two weeks I find I’m a little light headed at times, Coukd be stress related from all this worry???anyway I have to wait until May 16th for the follow up ultrasound then I will see if I am finally going to get a biopsy.

wish you all the best and really hope you feel better soon! Keep pushing for answers you know your body and you know when something is not right! 

Hope you can enjoy your weekend with your family 

take care

Miks 

Hi Miks,

Sounds like you’re in the wars (as my gran used to say). As you say, May 16th will come soon and you should know a lot more then. My naughty neck nodes aren’t big, but they are persistent blighters. 

I’ve been a bit light headed and that, coupled with the other head symptoms, has convinced my GP to get me scanned (MRI) within the next two weeks. She seems to doubt it’s serious but the headache forces ‘protocol’ to arrange a scan. It’ll be my third MRI so far - each spaced about 10 years apart!

Have a good long weekend. Hope the weather improves so we can both get out and about to take our minds off this rubbish.

Dave

i know thank you all. I have found this group so helpful the past couple of weeks xxx 

Ha ha yep I feel like I definitely am in the wars!  Glad you are getting an MRI soon! Here’s to a good weekend for everyone!

Miks

hi 

even tho my left side lump is benign which is good, when they did ultrasound on 20th march they found something on right side. When went for results on 27th was in abit of a daze so cant remember what they said about the right side. Hospital(ENT secretary) has just rang and will be booking me in for a ultrasound on the right side where there is no lump etc. Then results of that on 22nd may. Othopedic surgeon who told me about benign lump last week said this would happen but still shock and worried all over again.