I am freaking out. The Internal Medicine Specialist said that I need to have a lymph node surgically removed and have it biopsied. He said that the biopsy will reveal if there is cancer, infection or lyme disease. My sister passed away from Cancer at 39 and I am 42 so this increases my anxiety. I have a wonderful GP and when I went to get my weekly B12 shot at her office she came in to the nurses room, shut the door, I cried and she showed a lot of compassion and empathy and is worried for me too. Should I be worried?
Collette, It is more likely to be an infection than anything else. The sooner you get the biopsy done the better so you can be put at ease. xx
I would be concerned, but not worried or overly concerned. We do fear what has taken others from us, but we are not them and there is really only a small percentage that we will find ourselves in the same boat. I’m glad that the test is being offered as if it is a big deal, you can get a leg up on it early. If it is not a big deal, your mind would be put to rest. It sounds like you have proacive and caring people caring for you medically and emotionally. You are very blessed! I must say that I know what it is to loose a sister a year younger than I. She was 39 when she died of alcohol poisoning. She had been a heavy drinker like our father since she was 13. She hid it well and by the time she wanted her life, alcoholism snatched it from her. I am fully aware how addiction runs in my family and have chosen to live differently so my children will not have their mom die that way. My story is different than yours, but it is the same when the fear is connected by losing a sister we love very much. Keep us posted on your progress and msg me if you’d like to chat more, okay?
Thank you, I hope your right!
elstep said:
Collette, It is more likely to be an infection than anything else. The sooner you get the biopsy done the better so you can be put at ease. xx
Hi Lynda,
Sorry to hear about your sister and the lifestyle she chose. Good for you for choosing yours. You sound like a very caring and sensible person. I hope you are surrounded by the same type of people.
Hugs,
Collette
LyndaS said:
I would be concerned, but not worried or overly concerned. We do fear what has taken others from us, but we are not them and there is really only a small percentage that we will find ourselves in the same boat. I'm glad that the test is being offered as if it is a big deal, you can get a leg up on it early. If it is not a big deal, your mind would be put to rest. It sounds like you have proacive and caring people caring for you medically and emotionally. You are very blessed! I must say that I know what it is to loose a sister a year younger than I. She was 39 when she died of alcohol poisoning. She had been a heavy drinker like our father since she was 13. She hid it well and by the time she wanted her life, alcoholism snatched it from her. I am fully aware how addiction runs in my family and have chosen to live differently so my children will not have their mom die that way. My story is different than yours, but it is the same when the fear is connected by losing a sister we love very much. Keep us posted on your progress and msg me if you'd like to chat more, okay?
Collette, I am surrounded by unconditional love and pray everyday that I would be worthy of it. I’m married to my best friend for 22 years this year and our kids are some of the most amazing people I know. Thank you for your sweet comments. I pray that the Lord of all Peace will guard your heart and mind through this biopsy and testing phase. Please keep in mind that there is a HUGE possibility the test will come back NORMAL. I’m keeping this word in mind as I think about you in the upcoming days. Will you keep us posted as this goes forward?
collette said:
Hi Lynda,
Sorry to hear about your sister and the lifestyle she chose. Good for you for choosing yours. You sound like a very caring and sensible person. I hope you are surrounded by the same type of people.
Hugs,
Collette
LyndaS said:I would be concerned, but not worried or overly concerned. We do fear what has taken others from us, but we are not them and there is really only a small percentage that we will find ourselves in the same boat. I’m glad that the test is being offered as if it is a big deal, you can get a leg up on it early. If it is not a big deal, your mind would be put to rest. It sounds like you have proacive and caring people caring for you medically and emotionally. You are very blessed! I must say that I know what it is to loose a sister a year younger than I. She was 39 when she died of alcohol poisoning. She had been a heavy drinker like our father since she was 13. She hid it well and by the time she wanted her life, alcoholism snatched it from her. I am fully aware how addiction runs in my family and have chosen to live differently so my children will not have their mom die that way. My story is different than yours, but it is the same when the fear is connected by losing a sister we love very much. Keep us posted on your progress and msg me if you’d like to chat more, okay?
Empathy for you Collettte, I do know just what mental turmoil you are experiencing. Only worry about what you know, not the unknown. It is a waste of the depleted energy we do have. I am hoping for a good outcome for you, this is the most likely option statistically. I fully know it will be worrying for you, good luck. All the best. Jackie
Thanks for the caring advice Jackie!
Jackie said:
Empathy for you Collettte, I do know just what mental turmoil you are experiencing. Only worry about what you know, not the unknown. It is a waste of the depleted energy we do have. I am hoping for a good outcome for you, this is the most likely option statistically. I fully know it will be worrying for you, good luck. All the best. Jackie
Lynda you have such a wonderful attitude and way with words and I am so happy that you have the happy, supportive family life that you deserve. They are amazing because of you. I will definitely keep all of you posted. Thank you :)
Hugs,
Collette
LyndaS said:
Collette, I am surrounded by unconditional love and pray everyday that I would be worthy of it. I'm married to my best friend for 22 years this year and our kids are some of the most amazing people I know. Thank you for your sweet comments. I pray that the Lord of all Peace will guard your heart and mind through this biopsy and testing phase. Please keep in mind that there is a HUGE possibility the test will come back NORMAL. I'm keeping this word in mind as I think about you in the upcoming days. Will you keep us posted as this goes forward?
collette said:Hi Lynda,
Sorry to hear about your sister and the lifestyle she chose. Good for you for choosing yours. You sound like a very caring and sensible person. I hope you are surrounded by the same type of people.
Hugs,
Collette
LyndaS said:I would be concerned, but not worried or overly concerned. We do fear what has taken others from us, but we are not them and there is really only a small percentage that we will find ourselves in the same boat. I'm glad that the test is being offered as if it is a big deal, you can get a leg up on it early. If it is not a big deal, your mind would be put to rest. It sounds like you have proacive and caring people caring for you medically and emotionally. You are very blessed! I must say that I know what it is to loose a sister a year younger than I. She was 39 when she died of alcohol poisoning. She had been a heavy drinker like our father since she was 13. She hid it well and by the time she wanted her life, alcoholism snatched it from her. I am fully aware how addiction runs in my family and have chosen to live differently so my children will not have their mom die that way. My story is different than yours, but it is the same when the fear is connected by losing a sister we love very much. Keep us posted on your progress and msg me if you'd like to chat more, okay?
My mother in law had cancer in her lymph nodes 32 years ago. They removed the ones in her neck on the left side. She did not have to have any treatments. Her's started from a mole that she did not have seen about. She was 46 at the time and is still living and did fine from the lymph node removal. She has also had some female cancers. Had she gone and had them seen about earlier she would have recovered better, but she is ok now. Better sooner than later when detecting anything cancerous, and it probably is just an infection. In my part of the world (south Alabama) tis the season for this type thing. I will pray for you and that this is nothing more than an infection that can be easily treated.
Thanks, what you said is reassuring. Everyone is so nice on here even though they are struggling with so much already.
Bullitbaby said:
My mother in law had cancer in her lymph nodes 32 years ago. They removed the ones in her neck on the left side. She did not have to have any treatments. Her's started from a mole that she did not have seen about. She was 46 at the time and is still living and did fine from the lymph node removal. She has also had some female cancers. Had she gone and had them seen about earlier she would have recovered better, but she is ok now. Better sooner than later when detecting anything cancerous, and it probably is just an infection. In my part of the world (south Alabama) tis the season for this type thing. I will pray for you and that this is nothing more than an infection that can be easily treated.
Sorry you are having to face this additional worry. Waiting for any test results is horrible so I hope the time passes quickly.
Try and do something that you enjoy over the weekend. My happy place is my kitchen, do you have a "happy place"?
Thinking of you
Hugs Trish
collette,
I know nothing of the procedure or the possibilities which might come from it. However I do know fear can eat at your spirit worse than any disease. But you are not made for this earth to live in anxiety and stress. You deserve to walk with joy and comfort. When you go in to have this procedure done, keep in mind the support group who are thinking of you and the power that brings. Your smile alone shows off a tremendous spirit of strength. You are blessed.
Coqi xoxo
Coqi, you are so right about fear, anxiety and stress . . . that is something I need to work on. Your words really touched me and gave me strength. I find that even though my family and friends are a wonderful support, the advice and support from the people on this site seem to comfort me in a way that no one else can. Thank you :)
Trish, I have been so fatigued and weak from the side effects of Tegritol and whatever else is going on with my body since December that my happy place is not what it used to be. It used to be biking, hiking, kayaking, cross country skiing etc. but now it is the simple things . . . having herb tea with my son, cuddling with my daughter, hearing about my childs day at school. Simple can be a good thing too. My happy place would be someone working in my kitchen! LOL. Thanks for your kind words :)
Trish said:
Sorry you are having to face this additional worry. Waiting for any test results is horrible so I hope the time passes quickly.
Try and do something that you enjoy over the weekend. My happy place is my kitchen, do you have a "happy place"?
Thinking of you
Hugs Trish
While you are in the kitchen - make some Chocolate Martinis and we'll talk! Keep posting!!!
collette, I recently had a swollen lymph gland in my neck and night sweats and felt very tired. I had no sore throat or cold, throat and ears checked by doctor, no cause could be found. doctor said to give it a further week if it did not go down a biopsy would be taken.
Like you I wanted to face my worse fear and I researched what it could be and if it was not an infection and found it could be Hodgkin Nyphomia, what i then read about it made me feel better as this is the quote.
The treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma is usually very successful, even when it is in several different areas of the body. Most people can now be cured.
My gland went down again, so I did not need the biopsy.
I am sure like me yours will be an infection of some kind, but if the worse was the worse then this is one of the better cancers to have. In most cases though, swollen glands will be because your body is fighting a viral infection that your not aware you have.
Thanks Elstep . . . Do you feel better now? Initially the Internist thought it was a viral infection because my blood work showed very high inflammation and due to my symptoms. That was 3 months ago. The painful glands have gone completely down and I don't have any fever or night sweats anymore. I have 3 glands that are large and not painful. I am completely lethargic and weak. My blood work has just come back and there is no more inflammation. I will have a full body CT scan next week. The burning in my ear is coming back so I think the stress is not helping the TN. Thank you for sharing and caring :)
elstep said:
collette, I recently had a swollen lymph gland in my neck and night sweats and felt very tired. I had no sore throat or cold, throat and ears checked by doctor, no cause could be found. doctor said to give it a further week if it did not go down a biopsy would be taken.
Like you I wanted to face my worse fear and I researched what it could be and if it was not an infection and found it could be Hodgkin Nyphomia, what i then read about it made me feel better as this is the quote.
The treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma is usually very successful, even when it is in several different areas of the body. Most people can now be cured.
My gland went down again, so I did not need the biopsy.
I am sure like me yours will be an infection of some kind, but if the worse was the worse then this is one of the better cancers to have. In most cases though, swollen glands will be because your body is fighting a viral infection that your not aware you have.
collette, I originally had bad headaches and blood tests showed very high levels of inflammation. Mine were ESR and CRP 70/90 I was diognosed with an autoimmune problem. You will be to young to have that, it only happens when your around 50. Then my gland came up but eventually went down again and I am now feeling fine. No night sweats but i take steroids for the auto immune problem. It all get very confusing! Good Luck with the scan.