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

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  • 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
     

     

  • Thank u so much for replying,

    Omg that's sounds awful what you're going through :( Im so sorry, I really hope you get your answers soon. You're just like me, I usually just go along with the doctors advice and minimise my problems. It was actually my mum who pushed me to keep calling and pestering them. Being Christmas and all I knew they'd be busy so I've just been waiting for them to call, but you're right, I'll call tomorrow just so they know I'm on their case. I've friend requested you, please let me know if u get any answers for your diagnosis.:)

    Milly xx

  • hey, thank you so much for the reassurance, i really hope that everything's okay and we both get good news!! mine hasn't grown at all but also hasn't gone so it's frustrating, also no pain other than aches but i feel that may be a little anxiety based as when i'm not thinking about it i don't notice it, i'm going to ring doctors again tomorrow and hopefully be seen to and stop worrying! again thanks so much, i'm sure my boyfriend has had enough of my crying to him so it feels nice to know i'm not alone:) 

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  • hey, thank you so much for the reassurance, i really hope that everything's okay and we both get good news!! mine hasn't grown at all but also hasn't gone so it's frustrating, also no pain other than aches but i feel that may be a little anxiety based as when i'm not thinking about it i don't notice it, i'm going to ring doctors again tomorrow and hopefully be seen to and stop worrying! again thanks so much, i'm sure my boyfriend has had enough of my crying to him so it feels nice to know i'm not alone:) 

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