Good evening
I’m not sure I’m posting in the right place as I don’t have any answers but I’m absolutely terrified I’m about to be diagnosed with lymphoma and although I’ve talked with my husband I’m playing down my fears and need to get it out. sorry I’m advance if it’s long winded. Im female and 41 years old.
in May/June of 2020 I noticed a lump in the right hand side of my groin, it was very visible and felt smooth and rubbery but not at all painful, I assumed I had a hernia and called my GP who saw me the next week. He agreed it was a hernia and referred me for an ultrasound which I had 6 weeks or so later. At the ultrasound they scanned the lump but concentrated on my pelvic area slightly above and when I mentioned that the lump was lower I was told they understood that but wanted “a full picture”? They also scanned my left side.
The GP said the results of the scan were no hernia but as it was clearly visible it must be and referred me for a CT scan and a blood test. The GP called a month later to say the CT showed no hernia but “something” on my left side and that they had requested further tests but as I wasn’t in any pain on the left side he saw no point in further investigation, during the phone call my GP said my bloods had come back with low white blood count and asked if I had an infection? I told him not that I knew of and he said he would refer me to a surgeon for removal of the hernia. He also requested another blood test.
Fast forward to beginning of august 2020 the lump is still there and hasn’t changed at all and so I go to the surgeon who takes one look and immediately says “no hernia but let me look at your history” as he read through my notes and previous results his face visibly fell and he asked if I knew that I had a very large cluster of enlarged lymph nodes on my right side and a very large cyst on the left ovary, he also asked if I knew that my white blood count was low on my previous two tests (I was only aware one)
At this point he said he would request more bloods, another ultrasound and a pelvic and chest CT and explained that if the lymph node hadn’t reduced (It still looks the same size)he would remove it and send for biopsy. This didn’t worry me until I received a phone call with appointments for ultrasound, CT and bloods the very next day literally within an hour of leaving the hospital so I assume he’d gotten me emergency slots.
I have an itch around the lump which doesn’t stop no matter how much I itch and feels like mild sunburn when my clothes rest on it, I had spoken to my GP about this and he dismissed it as a heat rash even though I told him there is no rash, I also have terrible night sweats which wake me up with sweat running off me but I had just put this down to being pre menopausal, I am beyond exhausted no matter how much I rest, I fall asleep after getting up most days and yesterday was actually late for work. I have a pain in my right side pelvis which is dull but constant with the occasional sharp stabling pain which my GP has refused me pain killers for.
I have a telephone appointment with the surgeon on Monday but I’m struggling to function with every waking moment consumed with fear that the news will be bad, it keeps me awake at night and no matter how much I may look positive and play it down on the outside it’s actually eating me up inside.
I know that nobody can give me answers but I’d like to hear people’s thoughts and I know Monday isn’t far away but I feel like I just need to get it out and talk. Im so so sorry it’s long winded and thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to read
Hi and welcome to this corner of the Community although always sorry to see folks joining us. I am Mike Thehighlander and I help out around our Lymphoma groups.
I was diagnosed way back in 1999 with a rare incurable but treatable type of skin Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stage 4a. I have experienced most types of treatments used but not necessarily the exact same drug mix and understand the journey well so lets hope I can help you out.
First take a BIG breath...... then another.
Reading between the lines no one has actually said that you have Lymphoma so until you are told you have - you don't. That said, there is a need for answers so lets see what the surgeon says on Monday.
Your story including you investigations and test journey is not that unusual and you have indeed described some of the Lymphoma Symptoms so answers are needed for these.
Make sure you are ready for the call, I would suggest that you have someone with you and put the call on speaker as two heads can deal with this better then a head that is in a whirlwind. Note down some questions you want to ask, you can record the call (you would have to ask if its ok) as this is a good way to listen back.
As to the possibility that you do eventually end up on a Lymphoma journey, unlike many other solid tumour cancers like breast, lung, kidney, womb........ Lymphomas are very very treatable with great results and long term remission.
I think that you may well be Googling a lot...... Google is great but can give you a 1000 answers and only a few may be correct so be very carful.
A good place for very accurate information on all things is Lymphoma Action, a small UK Lymphoma Specific Charity.
I see you have joined both the NHL and HL groups...... there are actually over 60 types and subtypes of Lymphoma so it does often take time for tests to be done to find the truth….. my diagnosis to 2 years!!
Sorry that I did not get back to you quicker but we had a drain problem in the house first thing 
It’s always good to talk so do call the Macmillan Support Services on 0808 808 00 00 - most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week Clicking here to see what is available. This service provides lots of cancer information, support or just a listening ear.
But you will always find me on this thread and I am more than happy to talk more at any time, to answer questions or just to listen to help you through this challenging time.
Let’s see what the next week brings and remember we are always around to help you out ((hugs))
