Do I have lymphoma?

[stacey52783]

Okay, here's my story. Back in june 2001, i got my belly button pierced. I didnt really have any signs of infection. Well, about 2 weeks after I got it peirced, the piercing seemed like it was almost healed. Enlarged lymph nodes(1 at first then more appeared) started appearing in my groin area, and I just ignored it, thinking it was because of my piercing. I waited 5 months before I went in to get them checked out, and in that time, more lumps had appeared in my neck, throat and a few tiny ones under my arms. One doctor put me on an antibiotic to see if they went away and they didnt go down at all. I have been to three doctors, and they all say that I probably do not have anything to worry about, and that the lumps are probably just reactive lymph nodes, but to get it checked out again if the lumps get larger. I dont have any other symptoms of lymphoma, except sometimes I get chills, and sweat at night(rarely). My mom assures me not to worry, and to not get a biopsy done until the lumps get larger, if they ever do. I am skeptical though. Isnt it better to catch cancer early, rather than putting it off? Also, I cannot really tell if the lumps have gotten larger, because I feel them everyday, so to me they feel the same. Should I get someone else to feel them for me? Also, i have lumps in my inner legs, that feel sort of knotty, but my mom said those feel normal. Are there lymph nodes in your legs? Anyway, sorry for blabbing on and on. I would like any input I can get. By the way, I am an 18 year old female.

[Joseph15]

hey stacey52783.
all i can say to u is Dont Let them get bigger before doing anything, i recently finished a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for Hodgkins Disease, which i think is the same or very similar to Lymphoma,
I noticed a lump just to the left under my chin, i let it go for about 1 year and ahalf, then it got to the size of a golfball, i had a bloodtest and the docter put me on medication, the medication didnt help, so i had an ultra-sound, which said everything was normal, an x-ray which said everything was normal, then a needle biopsy that said everything was normal.
I went to see a haemotologist, who then told me there where 3 other lumps in my neck, i then agreed to have an operation biopsy, they took one of the lumps out, and then i was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease, stage 1A, which was very lucky concidering the amount of time the lump was there, so hope everything goes well



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J.F

[Jay Tor]

Patient Ed at Emory U.
[Lymphoma Research Foundation]

This is a cut & paste:

"Subject: April 6th Ask the Doctor Program with Dr. Ned Waller & LRF Executive Director Sue Bliss

"Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to hear from one of the nation's top lymphoma specialists along with Suzanne Bliss, Executive Director of the
Lymphoma Research Foundation this weekend in Atlanta!

"Suzanne Bliss, Executive Director of the Lymphoma Research Foundation, will be in attendance at this program to answer any questions you may have about
the Foundation's many programs and services. We are also pleased to announce that the Foundation will be starting a chapter in Atlanta later this year
and we welcome you to give us any input you may have at the Ask the Doctor program. If you are interested in becoming involved in the chapter and are
unable to attend the program please send an email to Michelle Davis at patiented@lymphoma.org.

"Ask the Doctor about Lymphoma is a free educational program is designed to provide lymphoma patients and caregivers with vital information about
radioimmunotherapy and the treatments currently being considered for approval by the FDA. Dr. Waller will discuss what radiolabeled antibodies are and how they are administered, radiation safety issues, the common side effects associated with antibody treatment and information about ongoing research in radioimmunotherapy.

"Dr. Edmund Waller will be leading the Ask the Doctor about Lymphoma program at Emory University in Atlanta this Saturday, April 6th from 10:00 a.m. to
12:00 p.m. The program will be held at Emory University Hospital, located at 1364 Clifton Road on the 2nd Floor in Room E234/239. If you would like to
attend please RSVP as soon as possible to Maleia Lewis at (404) 727-7016 as refreshments will be served.

"Edmund Waller, M.D. is a lymphoma expert and is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Hematology/Oncology at the Winship Cancer
Institute at Emory University.

"The information provided at this seminar is for general information only. The information and opinions provided by the medical doctor are general in
nature and should not be used in place of appropriate, one-on-one, medical consultation."