Help, I'm scared and so confused! - Lymphomas Message Board

vanillarain · 06-26-2004, 10:44 AM

I was wondering if anyone can give me some info. I recently had surgery to remove an enlarged lymph node on right side of neck. It was 4.5cm., not painful except when I turned my neck it felt like there was a ball stuck between shoulder and ear and it was squeezing the lump (also I have about 4 more larger ones that showed up on the ultrasound but they did not remove) I've had night sweats for the past 6-7 months. Preliminary tests from biopsy shows abnormality and my dr has referred me to a Cancer Centre for more tests. They HAVE NOT told me it is cancer but that it is suspicious and need to do more tests. What do you think, that they are just telling me this so I don't worry and that it really is cancer? From the onset of the doctor feeling the lumps to my surgery to the Cancer centre on this coming Wednesday (June 30) it has only been 2 and 1/2 weeks. Everything is going so fast which leads me to believe that it is something very serious and they are not wasting any time. Help, I'm scared, does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks

Marimac · 06-26-2004, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanillarain

I was wondering if anyone can give me some info. I recently had surgery to remove an enlarged lymph node on right side of neck. It was 4.5cm., not painful except when I turned my neck it felt like there was a ball stuck between shoulder and ear and it was squeezing the lump (also I have about 4 more larger ones that showed up on the ultrasound but they did not remove) I've had night sweats for the past 6-7 months. Preliminary tests from biopsy shows abnormality and my dr has referred me to a Cancer Centre for more tests. They HAVE NOT told me it is cancer but that it is suspicious and need to do more tests. What do you think, that they are just telling me this so I don't worry and that it really is cancer? From the onset of the doctor feeling the lumps to my surgery to the Cancer centre on this coming Wednesday (June 30) it has only been 2 and 1/2 weeks. Everything is going so fast which leads me to believe that it is something very serious and they are not wasting any time. Help, I'm scared, does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks

I can not tell you not to worry because I know that you will. It is a good thing that your doctors are moving rapidly on this since there was suspicion. Doctors do not have time to play head games and are probably telling you as much as they know right now. Also they want a clear picture of everything before they start to "worry" you. The best thing to do in this case is to realize that you have very, very good doctors if they are moving this fast. The majority of people have doctors who put them off and practically ignore patients. I am sure that if something is really wrong, they are already on top of it and although you may have to go through some fearful times, you will in the end, be ok. Those doctors sound wonderful.

vanillarain · 06-26-2004, 05:19 PM

Thank you so much for your advice. I'm just crawling up the wall with anxiety. I will keep you all posted. In the mean time, I hope all is well with you too.

ysco · 06-26-2004, 10:48 PM

I agree with the other poster. It's a good thing your doctors are not wasting much time. No one can tell you if it is cancer or something else other than the biopsy results. Sometimes however they are unclear so obviously the doctors could not tell in a definite manner what it is, therefore you were referred for further tests.

At the worse case scenario, even if it is lymphoma, keep in mind most lymphomas are very responsive to the conventional treatments and most of them can be cured.

Good luck

vanillarain · 06-27-2004, 09:51 AM

Thanks very much for your advice, too.