Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't been on in a few days :wave: I hope all of you are doing well! Well, I called my ENT because my lymph nodes keep on getting bigger and bigger and more painful, and he just wants to keep me on antibiotics, because he thinks its an infection. Now, I have been on antibiotics for two months and they don't help. I don't know how I can get thru to him. This is my 4th doctor for this problem and I still don't have a diagnosis. I still have fevers everyday and all of my other symptoms. I just don't know how to make them understand that obviously the antibiotics aren't working and that it's something else!

Sorry for complaining, I just feel worse every week so I don't know what to do.

Well, anyway I hope everyone is doing really well and you all are in my thoughts and prayers! You all are very wonderful people!

~Nicola

Nicola,
The fact that your lymph nodes are painful, is actually a good sign. I kept trying to tell myself that mine (I had 2) were "painful," realizing that usually meant an "infection." Anyway....when my one lymph node took on a life of it's own, and was growing quickly & NOT painful...kind of hard and rubbery and angry (right above my right collarbone)--all the doctors became highly suspicious. Doctors don't know everything--but, the fact that so many doctors believe it to be an infection, is good....although, infections are certainly not fun, either.
Do you have a cat? You know "cat scratch fever" acts like lymphoma. I have 3, and I was SO hoping that might be what I have, instead of "Hodgkin's."
Stay positive & insist on some more tests. As far as what kinds of tests to insist on, I'm not sure. Maybe the more informative ladies on here might have some answers for you.
In the meantime, do everything possible to support your immune system. I've been drinking green tea & I swear, I think it's helping. I haven't started chemo, yet---and I don't think that's going to interfere with it---I'll have to see next week.
Stay positive.....keep seeking.....but, never give up the ship.
:) Singer

You know the more I think about it, I think the area around the lymph nodes are painful and not the actual lymph nodes themselves. Well, not unless I poke at them which I tend to do quite often actually, lol. I don't mean to, but its like an unconscious habit now.

Thank you for your reply! I hope you are doing okay, considering you are in the stressful waiting time for your results. Or did you get them back yet?

Anyway, keep us updated on how you are doing. People on this board really do care, and I am sure there are many others that care about you too who read these posts, you just haven't heard from them yet. You are in my thoughts and prayers! :wave:

~Nicola

Hi there,
I'm still waiting for one more test....I'm not even going to "jinx" it by typing it---just pray :angel: everything is o.k., and I can start my treatment this week.

It's normal to want to fool around with your lymph glands, especially when they're swollen. I always thought it felt good to massage them...now, I realize all these years that I was probably doing more harm, than good. As far back as I can remember, I was "lumpy" with swollen glands. I missed many school days because of it.

I know...these posts have some wonderful people on them. I look forward to hearing from them everyday....especially "now," that I'm going through this journey.

Keep the faith. I'm glad we all have one another, too.
XO, S.

Hi there,
I'm still waiting for one more test....I'm not even going to "jinx" it by typing it---just pray :angel: everything is o.k., and I can start my treatment this week.

It's normal to want to fool around with your lymph glands, especially when they're swollen. I always thought it felt good to massage them...now, I realize all these years that I was probably doing more harm, than good. As far back as I can remember, I was "lumpy" with swollen glands. I missed many school days because of it.

I know...these posts have some wonderful people on them. I look forward to hearing from them everyday....especially "now," that I'm going through this journey.

Keep the faith. I'm glad we all have one another, too.
XO, S.

Hey I hope you are feeling better. I have heard that if they are painful it is a good sign. It is probably just an infection but I am not sure why anitbiotics arent working.