I had Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2020 - After chemo and a lot of complications I went into remission. Just before Christmas 2021 I went for a standard Mammogram. While getting the scan the Nurse said wow your Lymph nodes are huge, and I just burst into tears. I just knew it was back though I could feel no lumps. After seeing my consultant, he said he could feel lumps and would go for scan. Needless to say, it was back, and I am feeling devastated. I had such a torrid time before, but I have been told that as its only in my armpits they are waiting and watching. This is playing with my mental state. I saw my consultant again recently and after examination he said the lump was slightly bigger but still going to wait and watch. Any suggestions how to deal with mentally or has anyone had this before?
Hi again Helen Helen_S99, I don't know if you had seen my reply I put up on your first post 7 months back - THIS LINK will take you to the post.
As I said in my first reply I relapsed many times over my first 15 years (I do have a different type of Lymphoma) and often was on Active Monitoring (Watch and Wait). At first I found this hard but the more I went into my journey I started to understand that it's very important to hold treat until it would do the best job. Treating early often results on a further relapse and further treatment...... the more relapses the less treatments on the shelf.
I was like this in late 2013 and Stem Cell Transplant was my last hope.... I eventually reached remission in 2016 after a lot of treatment (See my story) I remain in remission..... The most important thing is, during the last 6 years two new treatments have become available so if I was to relapse I now have options.... there is lots of hope out there.
In my other post I highlighted Lymphoma Actions regular Lymphoma Online Support Groups. I highly recommend these groups as there is nothing better than talking with other who have walked the journey.
They also have a great Lymphoma Action Buddy Service where people can be linked up with someone who has walked the same treatment journey. They also have a Lymphoma helpline on 0808 808 5555 where Sharon or Nic will be on hand to give you some support - open every week day from 10 till 3.
Always around to chat more ((hugs))
Good morning Helen Helen_S99.
First I put my hand up 
to getting your community name changed as it was a 'rather long' and it took me 4 attempts to get your name tagged so I asked the community team to shorten it 
I agree that consultants 'can do better' in helping to reduce the stress and anxiety by explaining things better. If you have looked at (See my story) you will see that I have had plenty time and opportunities to get my head around this watching and worrying lark, but I quickly developed the ability to pigeonhole the stuff that I could not control like the progression of my condition, scan results and the waiting between appointments........ and concentrate on getting on with enjoying life to the full..... or at least within the limits of how my type of NHL affected my daily living.
From day one (over 23 years now) I always knew that I would be on a merry-go-round of treatment then periods of remission then start again...... but I was always told that there were amazing developments in treatments and 'one day' we will have a tool that will stop the merry-go-round and I could get off and enjoy a longer remission.
It did take over 15 years for this to happen but even then, at that point in time it was seen as my 'last throw of the dice' and yes Stem Cell Transplant did a great job...... But 7 years on there are new treatments have come on line so now I have a few fall backs if I ever relapse again....... I am sure that you are getting that I am a complete 'half full glass' person and refuse to be controlled by my condition...... rather I 'live' a full life and always look that I do have an unwanted squatter, but it has to live in an old rotten shed at the bottom of the garden that is overgrown and the only way I can see it is go look for it.
Do check out the Lymphoma Action Lymphoma Online Support Groups. I highly recommend these groups as there is nothing better than talking with other who have walked the journey.
They also have a great Lymphoma Action Buddy Service where people can be linked up with someone who has walked the same treatment journey. They also have a Lymphoma helpline on 0808 808 5555 where Sharon or Nic will be on hand to give you some support - open every week day from 10 till 3.
Always around to chat more ((hugs))
