What was your lump like and what B symptoms did you present?

But more importantly, how are you? 

I had a very large lump in the armpit I think they measured it at 9cm but it was more of a swelling that went all the way around to my collar bone. I didn’t actually have any b symptoms despite being at stage 4 although I was very anaemic after having my baby so tiredness and fatigue was put down to that. I’m still bitter about not having the sudden weight loss that they kept asking me about :D. Joking aside I’m doing ok I’m having my third chemo next week so will officially be at the half way point! 

All of the oncologists seem to be very positive that this cancer is curable and already I can barely feel the lump so hopefully things are going in the right direction x

That is wonderful, positive news. 

As someone with Hodgkin's lymphoma I would say it is a cancer that they usually treat to cure, and success rates are high. There are also a lot of treatment options out there so do not worry. 

Wishing you all the best.

Thank you so much for your reply. I figured a biopsy might be on the cards which to be honest makes me feel a bit ill but I'll do anything just to get some answers now. Its worth it to know for certain. 

I hope the rest of your treatment goes well and you have a speedy recovery x

Thank you! Hope you're well as possible and good luck with your treatment :)

Hi Moog 

I’m so sorry for hearing your recent news, I know it can be terrifying, especially the unknown! But please believe me, it’ll get better.

I’ve been diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma stage 4B classic since May 2019 at the age of 32, after finding swelling in my left armpit (4cms) which progressed into a painful, movable upon touch lump, within a short period of time, I had another lump in my left side of my neck of the same size, like an egg shape . This lump would get bigger and painful when I was stressed or anxious, other times it appeared to reduce in size or wouldn’t be so pronounce.

Stupidly, in hindsight, I had been displaying b symptoms (occasional night sweats and itching on my legs/arms - which led to near enough every other day, waking up saturated with sweat and chronic itching - I just said it was stress related, hormonal or my excema was playing up) prior to discovering the initial swelling of my arm pit.

These were all signs! Which I stupidly ignored as I’m 32, trained 5-6 days a week & in good shape, not been ill for the last 1.5 years and I work as a health care professional, why on earth would I thought it would be cancer?! 

I initially went via the breast  cancer screening clinic due to the location of my initial lump, my GP wanted to rule out breast cancer. I was seen within a week from when the referral was made.

Despite going through this pathway, I suspect when youre seen, you will have a physical examination to see if your other lymph nodes are showing signs of cancerous lumps, check your lungs/respiratory system, full bloods and a detailed medical/social history too. They will recommend an ultrasound and take several biopsies for further testing to comfirm if it’s lymphoma and what type I.e - non Hodgkin or Hodgkin and sub type. Once this is done, the waiting game for the results kicks in, mine took 6 weeks to come through, however, yours may not take so long. Please do not google your symptoms or what your condition could be! It’ll only make you feel anxious & scared unnecessarily! (Believe me, I know!)

Once they confirm your diagnosis from the initial tests, you may have a CT scan and PET scan to establish if other parts of your body may have cancer or to confirm it’s just in the two areas which they can visually see.  Once they have all this information, they can determine your staging, prognosis and your individualised treatment plan. Once this is in place, they may ask you to have an echo and lung function test which is standard to check the health  of your heart & lungs prior to starting treatment.

I hope your find this useful  & if you want to know more, just ask xx

I was told Hodgkin Lymphoma is the best cancer to treat & cure!

Much Love - Jayney xx

Thank you so much, I relate to quite a bit of what you've said tbh. I'm trying not to google, my husband did but literally just told me the positive things like its easily treatable etc, lol. Its so hard though when you think you want to be prepared but you also dont want to start stressing yourself out for no reason! 

Did you have biopsies? Did they hurt? I'm terrible with pain so thats on my mind right now. Also do you have all the testing on the same day or do you go back on another day for different tests? Sorry for all the questions, I have three kids and my primary childcare, my mum, has gone away for 2 weeks so I'm panicking about appointments too, lol. 

I hope your treatment goes well and you recover quickly,  and thanks again for your response

Hey no worries! I would recommend STOP googling until you know your diagnosis, believe me! I was literally a nervous wreck leading up to my formal diagnosis as every thing I read, I was feeling overwhelmed or scared that what happen if it could be that cancer, sub type that treatment etc. It honestly didn’t reassure me at all.

My ultrasound, biopsy and full bloods was taken on the same day as my initial appointment with the breast cancer clinic . I suspect they may do all of this on your appointment as it makes logical sense & saves time!?

When you receive your appointment it’s best to ask this on the phone so you are prepared whats happening on the day and to arrange for necessary child care etc. Just to prepare you, your appointment may not be on time and it could be a lengthly process especially if they want to do all the initial tests I’ve mentioned, so again child care front just make sure you have a plan B in case it over runs! 

CT & PET scan and the baseline tests (heart & lung)will be arranged on another day for sure.

Also, please bring someone with you for your appointments (if possible) for emotional support, I’m hard as nails but even I got a little distressed with all the procedures as it was all finally becoming real that something is wrong me and the unknown of what I had was literally digging away at me. It 100% helps having someone to talk to and hold your hand when you’re having a wobble

You asked me about pain, well with the biopsy they will inject and numb the area, you feel like tugging movement and a little discomfort when they extract the sample but it wasn’t like horrific as child labour or something lol. 

CT & PET- they need to administer a cannula into your hand/vein which a little pain, but nothing too bad and the dye they inject is painless, just strange sensation more than anything.

Echo and lung function- zero pain!!

Ive just started month 5 of my chemotherapy treatment since yesterday afternoon actually! I came across your post during a night of insomnia, I just felt like I had to reach out to inform you of everything that I wished someone told me when I was going through it!  Xx

Your info is really helpful, thank you so much! I always feel better having an idea of what to expect rather than going in blindly. I dont think I'll be able to have someone with me when I go for the initial appointment but I'll make sure to if I have to go and get results. I do have plenty of support though, only my husband and my best friend know whats going on right now but when they know I'm going for the appointment they'll be on the other end of the phone if needed. 

Hope the chemo isnt too bad, is insomnia a side effect? I really do appreciate you reaching out, I feel a lot more prepared!