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Hello JustAgirl - I'm Pete 77 and still here irritating people. What a difficult Christmas you must have had and with the New Year looming! Not to mention worrying about your children.

My symptoms, before diagnosis in September 2019, were not comparable to yours with the exception that I had a rapid growth of a lump in my armpit (and a couple of night sweats) before getting Hodgkin's Lymphoma diagnosis and everything swinging into action and subsequently being treated in Oxfordshire prior to moving to Kent where treatment continues.

I hope you have, or will soon establish, a good relationship with your GP. S/he should be initially a support for you. There is lots information out there but (and it is a big but) you, like the vast majority of the population are not medical professionals, so cannot put the information into context. The GP can initially and once treatment begins the hospital personal will be able to and, in my expereince ove the pst three years, can and are willing to. It is a team effort and you are part of the team.

Importantly, do not go into any formal consultation- GP/oncologist - alone. Take somebody with you or if not practicable, use your smart phone (assuming you have one) on open mike so a threeway conversation can follow. Questions to ask- I can't really help but part way throgh the year I ask my oncologist "Do I have to buy Christmas cards?" Bloody hell, life is hard enough so why not have a laugh. If needs-be write a letter before a consultation with the questions you would like answers to (I know you shouldn't end sentences with a preposition! Tough).

Do not forget hugs- have a long distance on from me. I'm here, as are others, for a natter. And best of luck,

Pete X

Hi JustAGirl and a warm 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 am sorry that you are experiencing the symptoms you are having and but you are doing the correct thing in seeing your GP.

When I was diagnosed with my rare type of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma I only had a small rash on my back and had no other Common symptoms of lymphoma.

Lymphoma can be a complicated condition to diagnose as there are over 60 types and sub-types of Lymphoma so this is going to take time.

When you go to your GP just make sure that you have a list of all your symptoms and a basic timeline as to when all this started. You GP will check you over, most likely do some blood tests and will take it from there.

I do hope you get answers soon ((hugs))

Thank you ever so much, made me feel a little better. 
I hope your well x

Humour does help- stops wallowing in your own misery.

On my headstone I want engraved- "What now?" and my wife wanted for me "Beneath this sod lies another".

Have another hug,

Pete X

It’s not that, everything aside all my thoughts boil down to my children I’m 24 with a 7 and 2 year old… all I can think is the worst and how they do not deserve it! 
how are you so head strong what Isit that keeps your pushing forward ? I just seem to break all over again 

I’ve told my GP my concerns all symptoms ect but my actual GP has recently retired he was amazing and this new one is barely listening I’ve been saying for weeks and now I finally have a face to face consultation with her I believe on 4th jan I’m terrified I won’t be able to say what I need to, all my symptoms ect is pointing in this direction and i have no one to turn to not even my doctor, I feel hopeless 

If you feel that you will not be able to communicate clearly you insist in taking someone with you but as I said have a clear list of your symptoms and time line and take it as it comes ((hugs))

Hello again JustAGirl - my circumstances are so different to yours - not at all comprable. I cannot easily imagine what it is like to be in your shoes - especially with two little ones.

My attitude is a product of my past. I will give you some details and happy to share if you wanted more expansion. I was a social worker until 2000 and for a large period involved in planning services for disabled people. My wife (Wendy) was a social worker in hospitals. In 1992 she blacked out whilst driving and within 4 days had undergone a major 9 hour operation to (partially) remove a brain tumour. Our world changed - an understatement. Subsequently she had more operations, lost 90% of her sight/epilepsy but continued working and retired aged 65. She died in 2009 aged 70 - far too young - bloody cancer. Although our children (hers, my step-children) were adults, they were considerably affected (they lost their dad at a very early age). Wend and I always kept a very positive outlook - I learned from her - what a bloody awful way to learn. And we learned to panic when we had to. Calmness for each other and family/friends.

I was diagnosed with a tumour on my eye in 2010 and inspite of treatment had it removed in 2014 - PiratePete. And in 2019 Hodgkin's Lymphoma!! Bugger.

Notwithstanding how I try to approach life (after 3 years with chemos and now immunotherapy) looking for positives and enjoying life - but wish Wend was still here - we did laugh - there are times in the dead of night when I wake up and I ponder  WHY? And in the morning I wake up and it is a bonus. Hooray- still here.

And every few months I have a review with my oncologist. As the review day approaches my anxiety level rises up  - memories bloody memories - and what will I be told.

I'm not sure anything of the above helps you in your situation but you did ask the question.

May the 4th of January be gentle - and don't go alone if at all possible and plan what you want to ask and don't be fobbed off!

Pete (with hugs) X

Hello JustAGirl - good luck to you for tomorrow's GP visit. I hope 2023 works out well for you and yours.

Pete + hug