I’m 18 and think I have Lymphoma

I feel like I shouldn't be on here but I don't know what to do. I'm 18 and relatively healthy but I think I may have lymphoma. A lump appeard on the left side of my neck about a month and a half ago. Before Christmas I went to get it checked by a GP, I may be wrong, but it felt to me like they were concerned. They took blood tests the same day and they came back normal. I then got a call just a few hours later that I needed and ultra scan and they confirmed it was a swollen lymph node. I was quite relieved until they called me in again for a second scan and a biopsy. This time I saw the scan and it didn't look right. All the nurses were extremely kind, but to the point they were treating me as if I were a child? Maybe they sensed I was sh*tting myself. But again, it felt like they were concerned, I'm not sure. I had the biopsy on Christmas Eve and I understand that it's New Years and people are busy, but I'm so scared. Everything was happening so quickly and urgently and now there's no news. I just need to know what I'm dealing with here. I can't think about anything else, I can't get out of bed. But that might be because I'm really tired all the time :/ which I read is a symptom. Apart from being tired, the only other symptoms I have is a rash on my stomach, itchy skin and when I drank last night at New Years, the lymph node ached like hell. I feel selfish being so worried, my grandad died a few days before Christmas from cancer and I haven't been in the right mind space to support my dad or even be a positive influence. I can tell I'm draining everyone and i hate it. Although 2020 was horrendous, I was so ready for 2021. I would be going into it with a new relationship, I was ready to finally pass my driving test, see friends again and get my diploma. But all that could change with one phone call and I'm terrified. Sorry for rambling.

Milly

  • i also am 18 and am convinced i have lymphoma, i found a small pea sized lump on the left side of my neck along with no pain or any other symptoms, i am absolutely terrified and losing sleep over it, also crying many times a day, i have yet to see a doctor in person as mine just told me to to wait a week to see if it disappeared however it hasn't, i am so scared of actually going because i really don't want bad news, any advice?

  • Hey please don't worry, it could be hundreds of other things before lymphoma. I was also told to wait for a week after calling the GP. They said to wait and see if it changed, I called again because my lump was growing quite quickly (it's now around the size of a ping pong ball lol) that's when they wanted me to come in for an examination and then have some blood taken for tests. If you are asked to go in for examination please don't be scared. They will just prod your neck about a bit, looking at the size and texture and how it moves. They may find your lump isn't even a lymph node, it could be a cyst or something similar. They may give u a blood test but I'm pretty sure they do this to look for infections (swollen lymph nodes are often just a sign of infection) the only way you will get conclusive results is if u have a biopsy taken from the node. most lightly you will go to the doctors, have a blood test and find out it's nothing more than your body fighting an infection or it's not a swollen lymph node at all. Hope this helps :) 

  • Hey,

    So so sorry to hear what you guys are going through, it is such a scary experience and I honestly hope and pray that you get your answers and get better! 

    I feel a bit crazy being on here too but I'm kind of having the same experience in a sense. I'm 25 and in October time I had a little bit of acid reflux and then started to feel like I had lumps in my throat and I couldn't breath or swallow at time it was a really horrendous experience! 3 months later I now have been to the doctors about 4 times had numerous phone calls with nurses as they kept fobbing me off with 'it's just your anxiety' or an infection in my mouth but I just know it isn't. I finally got a blood tests one thing came back abnormal which is something to do with my immune system fighting something.. but the doctors thought maybe I have IBS or celiacs, celiacs came back negative but they aren't concerned as my white blood cell count is good. So I've now been waiting and waiting for a my scan which is due to happen on the 12th as I have quite a few lumps on both sides of my neck one of them is quite big. And I can also see a growth in the back of my throat which feels like I am going to end up choking on it soon.. I couldn't put into words how scared I am right now. 
    My number one advice is to go to the doctors and really push for everything you need I think that's been my mistake I've just been agreeing with whatever they say regardless of how bad this seems and now I'm just stuck in limbo for 3 months with no answer and only getting worse by the day. 
     

    Anyways just thought I would share my experience as you are both not alone at all and if you need someone to speak to I am here!

    Take care

    - Becca x
     

     

  • Hi, my situation is a bit similar in terms of age, however mine is a lump in the breast. Please keep pushing your GP!! I am 22 and I am currently waiting for biopsy results, it's not looking too good. I was so scared to go to the doctors but so glad I did. Please don't worry about anything until there is something to worry about. It's easier said then done, but it's so important to get seen xxx

  • Hey lovely, I'm going through something similar with my breast. I'm only 22! I've sent you a friend request if you want to message me xxx

  • Hey Milly,

    Ive just turned 19 and am going through the same thing you are ,it's so draining! I have a lump on the left side of my neck and also on my lower back. I have itchy skin and struggle getting out of bed aswell. My Dr wasn't concerned at first but I was then told I needed to get an ultrasound and got bloods done the same day too. I'm still waiting on my blood results and an appointment for the ultrasound. Like you, I just want to know now what's happening right now rather than waiting for news. I'm constantly looking online for statistics, survival rates etc and I just want it all to be over with. I hope yours turns out okay, and I'm always here if you need to chat :)x

  • Hey Milly

     

    I just wanted to reach out because I read your post and felt as though I might be able to offer some comfort. I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma when I was 20 (last year) and underwent chemotherapy and reached remission after three months. I just wanted to let you know that your doctors are doing everything that they can to make sure they cover all of their bases, I know so many people that have tests for lymphoma and it ends up being something completely different. If it turned out to be lymphoma I wanted you to know that it is very curable and I've made so many friends through being ill who are all also in remission or on their way to being!

     

    I know the waiting is awful and it's hard when doctors sugarcoat things because of our age BUT it might be because there isn't anything to share yet! Please don't stress too much, feel free to message me if you'd want to talk on anything else for more advice/reassurance.

     

    Lots of love x

  • Hey Cam,

    I have just replied to Milly but also wanted to extend that to you. I had Hodgkins Lymphoma last year when I was 20 and I am now over a year in remission. In the worst case scenario it is still completely curable and survival rates are very high. I am surrounded by friends who had the same cancer that are also well into remission!

     

    Hope this offers some reassurance x

  • Thank you so much, nice to know I'm not alone xx 

  • Hey Sparksfly!

    Thanks for replying, so glad to hear your doing better now! It's reassuring to know that you beat it so quickly! Apart from your lump did you notice any other symptoms before your diagnosis? And at what point were you told you were possibly dealing with lymphoma? I'm so scared the Dr misses something as I don't think they are looking for lymphoma at this point Xx