Need advice please, I'm terrified. - Lymphomas Message Board

SoniaL · 11-12-2006, 10:01 PM

My husband found a large lump under his chin last week and when he went to our family doctor he was told to prepare himself for bad news this week when he goes for a biopsy. He is constantly fatiqued and has occasional night sweats he always attributed this to a large amount of stess he went through earlier this year. He has had no weight loss or nausea. He just told me all this last night and I feel like my world is spinning out of control. I'm still in shock. It doesn't seem real. We have four kids aged 9, 12, 14, and 17 and we are both terrified. What exactly can we expect if our worst fears are confirmed with the biopsy? Like I said, his family doctor is already convinced. Any advice on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated. I'm walking around in a daze, can't eat or sleep and can't stop crying. I have no idea how I'm going to go to work in the morning. I know this is the worst thing I can do for him and the kids are going to notice soon which he doesn't want. Please help!

Thanks.

HettK · 11-13-2006, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoniaL

My husband found a large lump under his chin last week and when he went to our family doctor he was told to prepare himself for bad news this week when he goes for a biopsy. He is constantly fatiqued and has occasional night sweats he always attributed this to a large amount of stess he went through earlier this year. He has had no weight loss or nausea. He just told me all this last night and I feel like my world is spinning out of control. I'm still in shock. It doesn't seem real. We have four kids aged 9, 12, 14, and 17 and we are both terrified. What exactly can we expect if our worst fears are confirmed with the biopsy? Like I said, his family doctor is already convinced. Any advice on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated. I'm walking around in a daze, can't eat or sleep and can't stop crying. I have no idea how I'm going to go to work in the morning. I know this is the worst thing I can do for him and the kids are going to notice soon which he doesn't want. Please help!

Thanks.

The best advice I could give you is to take it one day at a time and above all, pray. You are stronger than you realize and you and your husband can make it through this. In cancer, one of the most powerful options you have is mainintaing optimal cancer nutrition, which I know a thing or two about and am currently giving advice to a friend who's going through radiation and initially had esophagul cancer which metastized to into the stomach. Last I heard from her (a couple days ago) the esophagul cancer is GONE and the stomach cancer has been reduced by 1/3!!

Debbiefix · 11-13-2006, 05:33 AM

I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago with non hodgkins lymphoma. I know exactly the terror you are living through. Remember that lymphoma is very treatable. I'm not sure which kind your husband has, if he even has it. There is hodgkins disease (I refuse to use capital letters when talking about thsi disease..lol) and then there's non hodgkins. There are 40 different kinds of non hodgkins. I have a low grade form/chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

If he indeed has it, he may be starting treatments. I had a very easy form of treatment, Rituxan. I was not sick at all and didn't lose my hair. I am currently in remission and going for more scans today. (Keep your fingers crossed)

I want you to know that if he does have lymphoma, this is the most difficult part you folks will go through....the waiting. And believe it or not, the rest of your life won't be like this. You will get used to the new normal and you won't think about it every minute of your life. You'll laugh again, and you'll think of the long term future. If he has lymphoma and needs to undergo treatment, he will feel like he's doing something to get better, and he'll feel like he's more in control. You might not believe it, but it will be easier than it is now. If you can just make it through this awfully scary time, you guys will be just fine, I promise.

dannieishappy · 11-13-2006, 01:53 PM

I know your scared and thats normal. But PLEASE know this..there is life after cancer. I was diagnosed with hodgkins lymphoma..my son was only 2 years old...that was ELEVEN years ago!!! Take a deep breath and pull up your boot straps. Just remember..cancer is the enemy..Take more from it than it takes from you. Please keep us posted and GOD BLESS

Ails · 11-13-2006, 02:41 PM

Hi

The worst part really is the waiting - once you know what's wrong (if there even IS something wrong) you just kind of deal with it.

Treatments these days are fantastic and in many types of lymphoma doctors refer to not only remission but cure.

Remember to try to keep positive and keep your sense of humour - in my experience these can be your biggest assets

Take care and good luck

Ails xx