Hello all,

I am 16 years old. I have had a swelling in my neck for some time, and I notice a few months ago a swelling in my armpit. Now I am having some pain on the right side of my abdomen, just below my ribcage, but it's not severe at all. I was afraid I had cancer when I noticed the swellings, and I have not told any of my family about this. My thinking was, they'll go away eventually, but if I have cancer, I don't want to know, and I just want to die when I'm going to. Yes, it is stupid. I'm paranoid about the swellings being discovered, so I avoid going to the doctor, even for a routine physical. However, I can no longer live this charade. I need to know if I have cancer or not. I am going to the doctor this Monday, god willing. I am very scared. I don't want to die. I realize I made a mistake my hiding my problem from everyone. I'm just so scared......

Edit: I forgot to add, I don't have any other symptoms of Lymphoma: fatigue itching, ect.

[This message has been edited by ScaredinNY (edited 08-22-2003).]

Hi Scared,

I think alot of people are afraid to die, me included. I understand about you being afraid to go to the doctor, but I don't understand why you were afraid to tell your parents. I'm glad you're going to the doctor, that's a good thing http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I know you've read the sooner something is caught the better. I really feel there could be a multitude of other conditions that are causing your swelling. So don't automatically think the worst. From what you say it's sound like some sort of infection going on.

I really think you'll be just fine. Come back and post Monday on how your appt. went. You'll feel much better Monday knowing what it is http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Renee

[This message has been edited by reneeintx (edited 08-23-2003).]

Renee,


Thanks so much for your kind words. I will go to the docotr, and hope for the best. I am also afraid that they will need to take a biopsy. I have a severe phobia of needles and anesthetics, etc. I suppose I will just cross that bridge when I come to it. Thanks again.

I hope your get the results you are looking for, it does sound a bit more infection than anything else but i am no doc, but if it is something more serious then dont worry i had treatment for high grade lymphoma for two years and it was ok, in fact i got quite used to going to the hospital and even looked forward to it, i am clear now and have been for a year

good luck anyway

hey busted., How did you find out that you had lymphoma?..
How long did you have the swelling of lymphnodes before you found out?.
Also, did you get a biopsy done?.. how was that?..

Sorry I'm asking so many questions, it's just that I'm very worried about my lymphnodes, (it's been swollen for 3 years so far)


It'll be great if you can give me any words of advice or anything that might help me understand this a little bit more.

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by enyceexdanny (edited 09-04-2003).]

i noticed a lump in my neck, just above my collar bone which i had for about a month which one doc tried to get rid of with antibiotics, which made me feel awful, the next doc made me an appt with a surgeon and in about 2 weeks i had it taken out under a general which was fine and 2 weeks later they gave me the results, a chest x ray also revealed a cluster of nodes about 4- 5 inches across, it was quite quick but i had what is called high grade non hodgkins which does grow quick but respnds well to chemo, you can also have low grade non hodgkins and also hodgkins lymphoma. swollen lymph nodes i think can be completely harmless and not related to cancer but whatever it is get it checked out

A