His lump isn't visible anymore. It used to be a bit more obvious, it was more like a swollen soft tissue, the actual lump wasn't visible.

We were going away to see my family so it'll be hard to be sociable and happy when your mind's going 100 miles an hour. I think he may prefer to spend Christmas with his own family and in our own home. Unless we get some good news of course :)

He's not feeling unwell that's the thing. He doesn't know that lymphoma can present as asymptomatic so he holds on to the fact that he's feeling ok. To be honest I find it difficult to  believe to. You have a potentially life threatening disease and feel absolutely fine, fit and healthy?? It just doesn't make sense to me.

I just don't want him to panic or feel scared and stressed. That's the worst thing seeing him this way.

Yes, maybe home is best for him. If it was me I'd choose to be near my own family. I know how worried you must be, so am I, we're searching for answers that we can't find without the experts help. Most of the posts I read about lymph nodes turn out to be OK.  I've just been unlucky with my diagnosis (or lack of it) . Keep strong for your husband and don't forget you need looking after too. Xx

Oh me too. I've read everything and anything but nothing prepared me for "you've got cancer but we don't know where it is"  and a very embarrassed consultant who could only apologise for not having a Macmillan nurse assigned to support me, at least he's put in a complaint about it. I'm having my PET scan tomorrow at a cancer hospital. We're very lucky to have one just 30mins away. The results should be back within a week, then who knows. Deep breaths and hoping for the best I suppose. Xx

Hi Honey,

I know it'll be difficult, but try and remember your husband hasn't yet had a cancer diagnosis. So long as it hasn't been confirmed, there is still a good chance that it won't be cancer. There genuinely are many causes of swollen lymph nodes and pain associated with lymph nodes. My lump could have either been a cyst or a node. I asked the Dr - if it's a node, then why has it appeared seemilngly at random with no illness? He explained that they genuinely can appear and swell suddenly for no apparent reason (or be slughtly closer to the skin) and not be cancerous. Sometimes, nodes also react to very minor infections/inflammations of the body which aren't even noticeable. 

It is important not to self-diagnose. You should also remember that most people, even with the symptoms your husband has, do not have cancer. It is easier to convince yourself you have it once some of the symptoms seem similar, however remember that statistically, it's very unlikely until a diagnosis has been made. Just 2.5-4 per 100 000 people are diagnosed with Lymphoma. 

The fact it has become smaller is also a good sign. I know that some reports on the dreaded Google say that they can fluctuate in size, but just because your husbands has reduced in size doesn't mean it's a cancerous node. Lymph node with a diameter >2cm are also much more likely to be malignant, and those that are smaller are les likely to be. If your husband's are small (and do turn out to be cancer), it is likely that these are much more treatable. Many people only see their Dr after knowing they've had a lump for many months/years and are too frightened to do anything about it. Large (i.e protruding and visible), rock-hard lumps are much more concerning and less easilly treatable. Furthermore, my Dr said that one of her friends had been diagnosed with Lymphoma at a relatively late stage and is now cancer-free with two kids. 

x

Hi Emily_B,

I know, you're right this is what I keep telling my husband but he's already convinced himself that it's going to be bad news. It may well be but that also doesn't mean your life is over. There are far worse things that can happen to people.

That is also a good thing that he went to the doctor's straight away, you're right some people wait for months or get fobbed off and even by that point they're treatment is still successful.

I feel a lot calmer now, almost convinced myself that it can't be anything serious! but if it is I'm sure I'll be strong enough to support him and get us through it. We just got married you know. We love travelling so this thing better not interrupt our plans!! ;)

I may have already asked this but was your lump protruding?

Hi all I just wanted to share my experience hoping it will help. In December 2017 I found a lump at the side of my face just next to my ear and like a lot it appeared over night I went to the drs and they told me it was likely to be nothing. I got referred for an ultra sound which didn't clarify anything I was then sent for a biopsy x2 as they were both also inconclusive however I had been having kidney pains along side this a few episodes of sweating prefusley through the night.  Couldn't eat properly sometimes just really didn't feel myself.  The dr decided he wanted to operate and remove my perotid gland with the tests coming back inconclusive.  2 weeks after my operation I was called back to the hospital and told I have non hodgkins follicular  lymphoma and they had to wait further ct scans to check the stage and treatment.  I was distraught not knowing at 38 what it meant a mum to 3 kids.

after all my scans I was then told I was stage 3 it was in my sturnam kidney stomach groin and bone marrow also because my kidney was so enlarged they decided to treat me for B cell lymphoma which was more of a fast growing.

i started 6 lots of Rchop chemotherapy didn't feel too bad at times did work through out my chemo and all in all it wasn't that bad I did it anyone can.  I'm now over half way through my retuximab maintenance injections which will finish in June 2020. I've had lots of support and positivity around me and that's what got me through it.  I know it's scary but face it head on it is with me forever and can come back anytime but I wil face that when and if it happens.  Living my best life god luck stay strong I will keep my eye on your diagnosis and hopefully it will be great news xxx

Hi MrsWills!

Thanks a lot for sharing your story, I'm sorry to hear you got diagnosed with lymphoma but also glad to hear you're so positive and that your treatment is going well.

It really is life changing isn't it. Even now for us, we haven't actually got a diagnosis yet suddenly everything seems so insignificant. All your problems are nothing. You wonder why you were ever annoyed about a traffic jam or something equally stupid. Nothing matters appart from the life itself. It makes you feel alive, weirdly enough. I'm really looking forward to enjoying life with our new outlook once this is all over.

Could you tell me a bit more about your lump (I feel like I'm asking everyone the same question). What did it feel like? was it quite protruding or hidden? hard? soft? round or oval?  

Yes no probs the lump was about 2 cm And quite hard xx

Was it protruding or was it quite invisible?