so I went for a lymph node biopsy this past friday (Oct. 19th). It really sucked. The surgeon went ahead and removed the whole lymph node in my back neck area. It was 1"x1" big. So it wasn't as huge as it felt. I think partly either because there are other ones enlarged in that area or who knows maybe there's a deeper one. Can't tell right now cause everything hurts like hell back there. Anyway, I should find out my results soon. He told me within a week so I'm more anxious then ever! I just want to move on. But I'll keep everyone posted.

I can imagine the anxiety you are going through...that is the worst part. Hope the results are good though and that the area heals quickly and you no longer feel pain or discomfort. This is probably why doctors do not rush into doing biopsies! I hope the days pass quickly so you will soon know the results. Try to keep yourself busy meantime and post back when you know what is going on.

I wish you the best desperado. My thoughts are with you.
what is your story that led you to this point of biopsy?
how long have you had the mass and where exactly on your neck is it?
are you having any symtoms?
what led you to the biopsy and did you have a cat scan prior to biopsy?

I ask you these things because I too had a biopsy years ago and now it's back. I had a cat scan yesterday and I have a follow up apptn with the ENT tomorrow to go over the results.
I hope you don't mind my prying by asking you all those questions. I think they should have a thread here where people share their stories from beginning to end.
it helps alot of us other folks who are going thru the same thing.
dont you agree?
again, I wish you the best!
Sincerely,
Linda

Hi Linda I've had symptoms for a two years (chest pain, upper back pain,fatigue, chronic infections, headaches, sweatiness, itchiness, and of course enlarged lymph nodes in my neck) But I had the enlarged lymph nodes for 4 years now. They just slowly kept getting bigger. And are painless. The biggest one is in the back of my neck in the middle left side. Anyway, I did have ct scans but nothing concerned the radiologist I guess, but my PCP had me go for a biopsy anyway. So now I'm waiting for my results. I think at this point I either have a slow growing lymphoma or more likely sardoidosis. I've had so many blood tests done and everything is always normal so I sometimes feel like I might not even find out anything even with a biopsy just because I've been let down so many other times. If the biopsy comes back negative with no kind of answer for me I am seriously just going to drop it and hope I get better in the future. But thanks for your support and I hope the best for you as well

thank you desperado for sharing your story.
I really hope your test comes out negative. Just knowing whether it is or not can finally put an end to the wondering which can cause the main anxiety.

I found out yesterday from my results from the CT scan that the enlargment on my neck is being caused by a small node sitting on the carotid arteries bulb. the spot that sits on the carotid artery where it branches off into two paths.
think of a tree and as the trunck goes up, it divides into a V shape. well that's where the bulb sits. everyone has one.
there is a small node sitting on that middle branch, plus there's extra vessels running over it ontop of those two things, so when i move a certain way or bend over, it puts more pressure onto the vessel therefore causing it to enlarge and I can feel it because he says I have a very think neck and that he can feel everything.
he said I can come back in 6 months for a follow up if I want to, but I said "no", as long as I know it's not a bad lymph node causing the mass, I can now forget about it and never have to worry about it anymore.
one less thing to have to worry about in my already crazed life. LOL
I wish you well and the best ever,
please keep us updated if you're still here at the boards.
thank you,

Linda

Awesome news Linda!

Deb :)