My dad has just been diagnosed with lymphoma, blood cancer. He had a very large lump on his leg the size of a tennis ball and did also have some swollen lumps on his neck which have since gone. He went through the scans since last September and he has only just been diagnosed. (They have referring a scan from November which we were originally told was clear). We haven’t been told which type of lymphoma or what stage. Is this normal to not be told this? He has his appointment in 2 weeks for the haematology clinic so I’m assuming we will know more then.
They have said he will need another CT scan - is this normal too? I have so many questions and I have no one who has been through this before. I’m just confused and shocked. Luckily he is very healthy, he is 71 but naturally I am worried but trying to think positive. I don’t know what to expect but I want to make sure we are prepared for what is to come as much as we could.
Thank you so much for reading and thank you so much for any help it is much appreciated x
Hello Sjspen
A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community although I am so sorry to find you here. I am Brian one of the Community Champions here. The Community is divided up into Cancer Specific chat rooms or forums and the best thing for you to do is join one of the blood cancer forums.
I am aware there are many types of blood cancer and one of my fellow Community Champions Mike (Thehighlander) has been on his own blood cancer journey for many years. I have "tagged" him into this conversation and he will be along soon to direct you to the best group for help and information.
Best wishes - Brian.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
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Hi Sjspen sorry to hear about your dad’s Lymphoma diagnosis. I am Mike and I help out around our Lymphoma groups.
I have been on my Lymphoma journey for over 25 years having been treated for 2 rare types of T-Cell Lymphomas.
Over my years I have been in a ward with folks in their mid 80s who successfully went through treatment for their Lymphomas….. on the whole this is very treatable even at a senior age.
The Staging in Lymphoma is rather different from sold tumour cancers like Kidney, Lung, Breast….. where a high stage number like stage 4 is a poor prognosis, in Lymphoma it’s not. I was stage 4a back in 2013 and it made no difference to my outcomes.
Staging in Lymphomas identifies…..
1) Where the Lymphoma is presenting in the body (it can be anywhere)
2) What is the best treatment approach and best treatment type for your presentation
3) How long your treatment needs to be.
It can take some time and a lot of tests to complete a clear Diagnosis of Lymphoma so what your dad is experiencing is rather normal.
There are over 60 types and sub-types of Lymphoma so we can’t have a group for every type but once you know the exact type of Lymphoma do join the group fir his type of Lymphoma.
General Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma
These groups are safe places to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.
Always around to chat and answer questions.
