Hi all.
New here. Awaiting confirmation of Lymphoma. Drs have said they are 80/90% sure but need biopsy and PET scan results to be sure.
I'm getting results next week.
I'm already feeling so damn tired all the time and have that 'about to cone down with something' ache that I've had for months and now know might be because of the Lymphoma
I've been OK mostly the last few weeks whist waiting for tests etc. But in the last two days I've hit a wall of depression and fear. I'm not a crier, ever, but literally can't stop. I can't keep expressing this to my family and Fiance as this is only the beginning and I know that it might be a long road. I'm scared of annoying everyone already and causing sympathy fatigue when I know I'll need their understanding later.
I just feel so lonely, overwhelmed and hopeless. I know this is irrational. Lymphoma is mostly treatable. I'm a glass half full sort of person. But this just feels too huge for me to handle.
I'm trying not to read too much as it seems Lymphoma (if its NH) might be a lifelong thing that will reoccur.
Am I alone in feeling this depressed at this stage?
Hi FaeeGirl and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am sorry to hear about your ongoing diagnosis.
I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups.
I was officially diagnosed way back in 1999 at 44…… with my rare (8 in a million) incurable but treatable type of Skin (Cutaneous) T-Cell Lymphoma (a type of slow growing Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma) …… the official diagnosis took a good years, 6 biopsies and a few scans.
I eventually reached Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare (4 in a million) type of aggressive Peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) (a type of fast growing High-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma) was then presenting so appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
The diagnosis process is very tiring but things tend to improve once you have a clear type and plan.
There are over 60 types and sub-types of Lymphoma….. but we can’t have a group for every type……. but once you that information you can look to join one of our groups listed below…..
General Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma
I will keep an eye open for you and so can give you further help but until you find out your diagnosis we continue to chat on this thread.
The one very important thing to get is that even although Lymphoma is the 5th most common type of cancer in the UK (after breast, lung, colon and prostate cancers) it is very treatable, even the rare types can be dealt with.
This conversation would be very very different if we were talking about say lung, colon, pancreatic cancer to name a few……
I had no fear at any time over my 25 years…. Lymphoma treatment is very effective…. as to my family getting bored of looking out for me or it being such a huge thing in their lives……. this has never been the case.
Our 2 daughters were 14 and 18 when I was diagnosed……. and from day one my wife and the girls agreed we were together through thick or thin….
But we went on to see our daughters graduate, get married, set up very successful businesses and provide us with 4 beautiful granddaughters….. I turned 70 a few weeks back and I am coming up to 10 years since my last treatment.
I am living a great life and we continue to look forward to what else life has in store for us to enjoy…….. this can be done.
