just wanted to say hi :wave:

thought it about time i posted something, as i often read and feel i know a few of you already :)

i have been a frequent visitor here because i believed i had lymphoma. i have been ill for some time now, with unexplained weight loss, then gain, night sweats, pains on the left and right side of my abdomen, enlarged lymph nodes and fatigue. but to throw a spanner in the works, i had headaches, dizziness and muscle spasms. i'm in the UK so sat for months floating around the system. finally i saw a consultant at the end of april, who after checking me over, said he could feel a hardness in my left breast and was more concerned that i possibly had breast cancer! :eek:

since then, i've had a mammogram, chest xray and CT scan of the chest and abdomen. i don't know the full details but have been told that everything is clear :) :)

i just wanted to post to let peeps know that enlarged lymph nodes and similiar symptoms do not always equal lymphoma. i've had some scary times and suffered in silence, as it's not really something you want to tell the family unless you're absolutely sure. i feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

however, that's not to sit here bragging that i don't, when many of you here do have it and are suffering. i'm no stranger to serious illness as my son had a bone marrow transplant 2+ years back now and yes, he's doing very well now. the thought of having to go back to a hospital routine scared the pants off me. so i really can empathise with you guys and sincerely wish you all the best with your treatments.

hugz to all,

gina xxx

Gina,
I just posted you on the other post...
What exactly "do" you have, then?
I'm so thankful you're "clear." Is it a virus?
That's what I was wishing for, instead of lymphoma, because I'd read where lymphoma can be confused with "cat scratch fever," --- and I thought because I was around cats, I was a candidate, and could be treated with antibiotics.
I'm glad your son is well, too.
The best to you.
S.

thanks singer :)

well to avoid a long rant about our healthcare system over here, i'm really not sure what i have. the doc discharged me from his clinic on friday and muttered something about it being "post viral" which i believe could be ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. he said it could last for months or years and there's nothing that can be done about it. he suggested i just took painkillers :rolleyes:

i think i'm just going to leave it there to be honest. i'm worried that if i take it further and push for an official diagnosis of ME, that i might actually succumb to the disease. if i ignore it, it might just go away :p

but seriously, i think some lifestyle changes are in order here. one of those is to get to bed earlier! ;)

i'm off to bed :yawn:

take care,

x x x

I am so glad that everything turned out alright for you in the end, and that your son is so much better, i hope you continue to be on the mend x

I'm so glad it wasn't lymphoma. Hey, yes maybe you should try to take it easy a little bit. I'm so glad your son's transplant went well and I hope he feels better. :angel:

thanks fairy-lights and beachjen :)

i'm still feeling very relieved, because i've seen enough of hospitals to last me a lifetime! you know you're too familiar there when even after months of being away, all the staff still know your name and the lady on the food trolley saves your favourite cake for you ;)

i'm still feeling terribly ill and trying to educate myself on ME now. i hadn't realised it was so serious and debilitating. i always thought it was just aches and pains. still, i'm very thankful it's not any type of cancer - obviously.

fairy, i hope you get sorted out sooner rather than later. i have been following your suffering and really feel for you. i shall be dropping by to keep an eye on you all :cool:

take care of yourselves.

x x x