Hi Rose,

I'm sorry the lump wasn't benign but I'm glad you finally have some clarity and a clear plan in place. I hear that chemo and radio are much less challenging than they used to be what with the advancement of medicine. Having done lots of googling on lymphoma I know that it is so very treatable, especially if contained to one area, so you're going to be treated and recovering very soon! Which is a positive in a negative situation. You have an amazing mindset and that is what's going to get you through this. 
My dad had lymphoma, stage 4b but his treatment was very successful and he has lived cancer free for many years now despite having the unhealthiest lifestyle ever! I have no doubt that your positive attitude and a great team of Dr's will see you through this, just like my dad, who is now living his best life!

Please let us know how you're getting on with your treatment. Hope all is well with the family and they are giving you lots of support xxxx

Hi Rose, 

I just came on to check how you were doing and saw your reply. I am so sorry to hear that, I truly am! You've had such a long wait and been so strong throughout. I'm sure you're relieved to finally have an answer and a plan for treatment, even though its not the news you were hoping for. I have no doubt that you will remain strong and show it the door. You're amazing! 

I have had my chest x-ray results and they were all clear, so I'm massively relieved. However the GP does want to see me again this week, as he isn't happy that the lymph nodes are swollen around my collar bone since its such a worrying place. So I'm still uncertain, but hoping for the best, especially since the chest X-ray didn't pick anything up. I am going on Friday so we will see what he says. 

I hope you're well Danielle. I am really hoping that it is due to the covid vaccine - that would absolutely be the best case scenario. And I'm glad your stomach issues have eased a bit. IBS is not pleasant but once you know what works for you it's manageable.

Sending lots of love to you both xxx 

Hi Rose, 

How are you doing? Thinking of you. Really hope you're feeling okay and staying strong. 

Lots of love xxx

Hi Sally,

Good luck for your doctors appointment tomorrow. 

Thanks for checking in :happy:

I'm OK thanks. I've got my PET scan on Saturday and then I'm back in clinic on Wednesday where I'll probably get my cancer graded and  hear the exact type of Hodgkin's I have. I have found another swollen node,  this time on my collar bone so I think it's travelled a little bit but nothing drastic. 

I'm having my hair cut very short a week today in preparation and so my children know it was my choice to have short hair before the treatment. 

They don't know about my diagnosis yet and we're telling them over the weekend. My heart breaks whenever I think about it but we'll get them through it.

Lots of love xxx

Hi Rose, 

Great idea to get your hair cut short, that way you are taking control. Pick a style you've always wanted and go for it! 
 

The PET scan and grading will be over with soon and you'll have a solid plan, and be on to treatment. The hardest part is the waiting for results I think, and telling people :-( 

I hope it goes well on the weekend. If your children are anything like you, they will have a positive outlook and maybe even be a good support to you? As much as our children can be anyway! They will certainly be a distraction! 

I have a friend who has just finished chemo for bowel cancer. He said it was nowhere near as bad as he thought it'd be. Tbf my dad said the same thing and that was twenty years ago. I know it hits people differently but I think you're going to get through your treatment and be done with this quicker than you think. 

How are you feeling in a day to day basis? Are you managing alright? 

And Sal, would like to know how you're getting on too. Great stuff that your ultrasound and x-Ray have both given some reassurance, but I like that your GP is on the ball :-)

lots of love, Danielle xxx
 

Aww Rose, I really hope you get some answers at your appointment this week and a plan in place. I hope you're feeling okay in yourself. 

That's a brilliant idea to have your hair cut, take control and show the children it was your choice. I hope it went as well as possible over the weekend telling the children. They are so much stronger than we believe and I bet you'll get so much strength and support from them, so that even when you feel like you're having the worst day, their smiles will keep you strong. 

I hope you're keeping well too, Danielle. 

I saw the doctor on Friday and he is sending me for blood tests and another ultrasound on my neck and collar bone areas. So that is booked for 8th Feb. 

I'm not massively worried at the moment...I think I'm all worried out! But it is obviously still a concern. My lymph nodes are still raised and it seems like another pops up every day.  I just hope it's from the covid vaccines or from when I actually had covid, but we will see what happens. At this point I would just like an answer. 

Sending lots of love to you both xxx

Hello sallx 

I was wondering if you had an update regarding this? I'm in the same situation as you.

Im only 21 and had covid in December and my lymph nodes raised at about day 2, since them I feel I've found more and they've not gone down but also not got bigger.

you can't physically see them only when you press on them. 

it's all on my right side, just really worried as my doctor gave me antibiotics and said if they don't go down I must see him and not take no for an answer :( just very worried 

Any advice or help would be appreciated by anyone x 

Hello, 

I'm so sorry you're going through that too. It's so worrying, but try to stay positive. The majority of the time with swollen lymph nodes its perfectly normal and harmless. However if you've read through these posts then you'll see I've worried myself sick, so it's easy for me to say 'try to stay positive', but I know it's very difficult. Of course its important to get it checked out so you've done the right thing. How long have you been taking the antibiotics? 

No, unfortunately I haven't got an answer yet. I know a lot of people have had swollen lymph nodes after the vaccine and obviously any virus or infection could cause them too. Like you, I feel like I'm finding more and more and they aren't going down. You can't see mine either, but there is sometimes a fullness in my collar bone area where they seem to come to the surface more. Mine are mainly the left side, but they're above my collar bone on both sides. 

This has been going on for a while for me so it's really good that you're getting it sorted quickly. They could be caused by having covid and being unwell, since you only had it in December and they can take a while to return to normal and sometimes stay raised. It sounds like your doctor is doing all the right things. If you see no improvement after the antibiotics then they may investigate further. 

I've had an ultrasound and the doctor said they are reactive lymph nodes, and also had a chest xray which was clear. So im relieved about that. But there is still no improvement so I have been referred for another ultrasound and some blood tests. Its so difficult waiting for answers, but we're here if you ever want to talk. Rose and Danielle have helped me so much and it helps to speak to people who know how you're feeling. Xxx

Hi Sallx,

I've been following your post for quite some time now and it had helped with my own anxiety over swollen lymph nodes.

I also first noticed a swollen lymph node back in June (after my vaccine although may have been there before). I eventually forgot about it and it seemed to reduce but then in October a huge clearly visible node popped up which was rock hard. Had an urgent referral, however by the time I spoke to ENT (phone call not in person) it had gone down so they discharged me! I was reassured after this but I've noticed the original node is still up and is visible when I turn my neck- its super soft and squidgy though. I've been so scared but trying to be brave and booked a doctors appointment for later today! 

Sorry to hijack your chat, it's just nice to get it all off my mind. I don't want to worry my family! 

All the best, Chloe x

Hi Chloe, 

I'm so glad these posts have helped you. I hope you get on OK at your doctors appointment. It is such an ongoing worry, especially when you notice more popping up. 

Like you, I just forgot about it (or ignored it really) until I noticed more. The original one on my neck is also soft and squishy, but the ones around the collar bone are quite hard. I'm glad one of yours went back down again. Hopefully you can get some definite answers. 

I also kept it to myself for so long, now my partner knows but nobody else. No need to apologise, come back any time you need to talk. Let me know how you get on at the doctors. Fingers crossed you get some reassurance. Xxx