June8

I was recently diagnosed with a meningioma of the brain and I'm going for surgery for that on Aug. 15th. In the meantime I was sent to a neurologist for headaches, and he sent me for an MRI of the upper spine. I picked up the results today, and I have multiple prominent lymph nodes...it says etiology unknown, correlate clinically. I looked at the MRI and the nodes are huge and numerous. The results also noted an incidental finding of a hemangioma on one of my vertebra.

I can't get in to see the neurologist until August 28th! I tried taking the results to my regular doctor's office but they said the doctor who ordered the scan needs to discuss them with me.

My brother had Hodgkin's so I am afraid that is what I have. I get terrible night sweats, and I have told every single one of my doctors about it, but they all seem to blow me off. I'm only 29, so I know it's not menopause or anything like that. I also recently read how alcohol can cause pain in the affected lymph nodes in cases of lymphoma. I've had neck pain when I drink for a good year or more. I stopped having a glass of wine after work because of it.

I have to go in for a presurgery consult on August 14th and I'm going to bring the scan with me then and hope the neurosurgeon will tell me something, but I'm freaking out in the meantime. I really need an honest opinion here...

Thanks so much for any insight, I'm sorry if this isn't the proper place to post this but I am at my wit's end. I am very fearful that the doctors will tell me that it's nothing and not run any tests to confirm.