Lump on neck suddenly appeared.

Hi Freda and welcome to this corner of the Community although I am always sorry to see folks joining us. I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups. 

I don’t have HL but was diagnosed in 1999 with a rare, incurable but treatable type of NHL (CTCL) Stage 4a so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ is different I know this journey rather well.

It’s actually not that unusual for random lumps and bumps to appear during treatment as the Lymphatic System will be very reactive and indeed this happened to me a few times over my many years of treatments.

As always I would always advise you call this in to his team or out of hours even if it’s just to put your mind at rest.

I always highlight the Lymphoma Action website. Lymphoma Action is a small but very active UK Lymphoma Specific Charity who have lots of good reliable information, videos and run regular Regional Lymphoma Online Support Groups with a great group for folks support family in thief journey.

They also do a great Lymphoma Buddy Service where people can be linked up with someone who has walked the same treatment journey.

Always around to help as best as I can.

((hugs))

Thanks so much Mike. It's reassuring to be here. Thanks for sharing a little of your journey, wealth of experience and responding so quickly. 

Hi again, the journey can be full of unknowns, questions and bumps on the road to navigate so talking with others helps a lot.

I have been on my NHL journey for over 22 years now so I have experienced rather a lot of the bumps on the road (hit my community name to see my story),

Will check it out. I think we're still in the shocked, scared stage, particularly at how quickly my husband went from being a fit and seemingly well person to being told he has stage 4 HL. But this evening I decided to do something about being scared by trying to learn as much as I can and so joined this site and group. We have so much to learn. Thanks again Mike for giving a calm balanced response. You take care. I'm sure we'll chat again so. 

I've just read your profile cancer journey Mike.  What a courageous journey you and your wife have been through.  It's inspirational to read your determination to get well. 

Hi Freda just wondering what the outcome for your husband was.Am currently on Abvd and am waiting for my tenth treatment and a huge lump about 2cm has appeared in right side of the neck.I had a complete response in my mid way scan xx panicking isn't the word xx hope your husband is well xx

Hi lolliopopku and I see it’s your first post so welcome, let’s see if Freda is still looking into the community to see how things have went.

As you may have seen in the discussions I have a different type of Lymphoma and I am now 7.5 years out from my treatment and remain in remission…… but even now my lymph nodes rise and fall often especially when my body is fighting any infection or even a simple virus. My clinical team told me that this may well be the case as my immune system was now more reactive ((hugs))

Hi Lolliopopku, my husband is doing really well. He finished his chemotherapy in September and is in remission. We discussed the lump with his consultant, which of course had disappeared by the time of his appointment. The consultant carried out a physical examination but had no concerns. All blood tests came back ok. A few days after the appointment we received a letter with an appointment for another scan. It seemed that in peer clinical discussions the team just wanted him to have the scan to make doubly sure my husband, Phil was ok. The scan was clear. Phil has continued to do well and is regaining his strength. I'd say that since I posted my original posts, those lumps have appeared a couple more times. I always make him check it out either at his next appointment with the consultant, if that's not too far off, or by contacting his nurse for reassurance, if there is a long gap before his next check up. Phil has moved to three monthly appointments now.

I think what causes me to be a worrier is that my husband was always fit and well and was and remains the kind of person that never visited the doctor. I could see there was something wrong for several months before he was diagnosed, but Phil would always dismiss my concerns about presenting symptoms. I've since explained to him that I could worry less if I could be more confident he would report any changes or concerns rather than being dismissive and downplaying everything. It's been six months since his treatment and I'm learning to relax and to start enjoying life again. I've really learnt a lot about my husband, myself and our marriage through this process. It's been important to talk openly with each other. I think he believed he was protecting me by not talking about things. 

I hope your treatment and recovery continues to go well and that like Highlander says, and was the case with Phil, the lump you describe is nothing to worry about. This is a great community for advice and comfort. Make the most of everything Macmillan's can offer. Let us know how you're getting on. xx        

Hi Freda so good to hear your update and that Phil is doing good. It takes time to Lear to navigate the post treatment journey and start to trust our bodies.

You may find it helpful to make a cuppa and have a look at this great paper After Treatment Finishes - Then What? by Dr Peter Harvey as it highlights the post treatment milestones ((hugs))

Thank up so much Mike , the worry has had me up all night searching on my phone.Ive been responding great to treatment so felt completely thrown when this big node popped up. Your reassurance really helps. Have a lovely weekend x