Need some encouragement

alihamilton · Regular Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 21

I have been experiencing lower left pelvic pain for some months now...nothing too bad but just there on and off. I also have an enlarged lymph node in my right groin. Having had several tests, the cat scan has shown multiple enlarged lymph nodes in my abdomen so the doctor feels lymphoma is quite a possibility.

I am to have laparascopic surgery as soon as possible but meantime want to know what I can expect if this is indeed lymphoma. I feel fine otherwise, blood works are fine so I am hoping if it is, it is not too advanced. Do you lose your hair with the chemo given for lymphoma or do different treatments have different effects? Any other advice would be appreciated. I am quite scared of having a bone marrow exam...I hear it is so painful!
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Alison

Life_101 · Regular Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 20 Location: N.E. Ohio

Hi, sorry to hear about your problem. Anemia is about the only thing that
will show up in your blood work if you have lymphoma. A biopsy of one
of your lymph nodes or a bone marrow biopsy will have to be done.
As for chemo they will have to stage your lymphoma to see how advanced it is.
From that they will determine how agressive your treatment. So you may or may not lose your hair.

As for the BMB , oncologists use different pain management methods.
Mine does the minimum so it does hurt but only for a few minutes.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

SHANELLE85 · Regular Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 31

hey alison,
B4 i was diagnosed with lymphoma i had no significant symptoms except 4 itching like crazy 10 months prior 2 finding out, but skin specialist just thought it was excema so i guess i was just lucky i found the lump in my neck wen i did!
i got diagnosed at an early stage and had a 6 month course of chemo and still lost my hair but every person reacts different 2 each chemo drug.
are u experiencing itching, night sweats, tiredness/fatigue or dramatic weight loss? theyre the main symptoms of lymphoma.
wen i was getting mybone marrow test i was also getting a lymph node cut out 4 a biopsy so i was under anesthetic so i didnt feel anything except it felt really bruised wen i woke. Crying or Very sad

anyway goodluck with everything
keep me posted
-shanelle Wink

garyba · Regular Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 14

When I had a BMB I was out and didn't feel a thing[conscious sedation] some chemos you will lose your hair and some you won't.

alihamilton · Regular Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 21

Thank you all for your replies. I will let you know what the biopsy turns up. The information you gave is so helpful.
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Alison

Debbiefix · Regular Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 15 Location: CT

I had novacaine for the bone marrow biopsy and I only felt a slight tapping...no pain at all.

alihamilton · Regular Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 21

Hi Debbie, I have seen your posts in several places and think you also have CLL. Am I right in that? When I saw the surgeon on Friday...my 61st birthday!....he mentioned that I might have indolent lymphona and/or CLL. He said both are treatable and curable. He must just have been trying to put me at ease as I see nowhere that it says either are curable. This is very important to me as my insurance does not cover chronic or incurable diseases. Just one more thing for me to worry about! I am having the biopsy done on Tuesday so I should know what I am faced with in about a week's time. I guess after that, they will want to do the BMB to see how extensive it is. What a stressful time! I do read however that one can also watch and wait if there are no serious symptoms and , in light of my insurance problems, I might just have to do that and maybe find alternative ways to boost and maintain my immune system. I will be looking into that. Almost exactly three years ago, my husband was dx Stage 111C rectal cancer and had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He is doing so well at the moment and now this!! Ahhh! Life is tough!
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Alison

Debbiefix · Regular Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 15 Location: CT

Alison, It's been a year since my diagnosis of Stage IV, indolent NHL/CLL. After having Rituxan treatments (monoclonal immunotherapy) which is very easy to do, no sickness, no fatigue, no hairloss....I'm in remission! It was a scary year, 5 CT scans and 5 PET scans, just the BMB at diagnosis. It's all good now. I find many ways it was even a blessing, as hard as that might be for you to believe.
By the way, I had NO symptoms, aside from the enlarged lymph nodes which were found during a routine mammogram.
Hang in there. You can do this! As far as a "cure"...my oncologist said she expects me to have a long complete remission which does equal a cure. It's just not so bad, you know?

alihamilton · Regular Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 21

I have read about your symptoms (or lack of!) and treatment and am so glad you are doing well. I am prepared to go for it, whatever it takes, but I also have to be realistic. It depends on how my insurance sees the illness and how much the treatment would cost if I have to pay for it myself. And I live in The Bahamas and we do not have a PET scan here so I would have to travel to the UK to get one done...again insurance complications. I am not covered for the US. Funnily enough it is the insurance limitations that is worrying me more than the illness!!! Guess I should get my priorities straight!
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Alison

alihamilton · Regular Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 21

Well, today I received my diagnosis of stage 1 follicular lymphoma. Still feeling well and will have to meet with oncologist in a week or two to set up treatment plan. Surprisingly, I am taking it so well...denial, maybe? I am more concerned about my husband who was dx stage 111C rectal cancer three years ago and has been doing so well. I hope this does not set him back. I am sure I will have lots more questions when I know the plan and will post back later.
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Alison

Hughty · New User Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 7

Hi Allison,
Sorry to hear about your pain. I m a 30+ year survivor of Hodgkin's, which a Lymphoma. The pain can be bad at times. Sometimes only a little prayer can help. I went through Chemo from 1972 to 1976. I was told I had about 6 months outside, but I was going to buy that. I was only 22. Since then I have got to meet my grandkids, which I thought I would never see. I am now looking forward to seeing my greatgrandkids. You have to realize that nowdays they have come a long way in the treatments. I just wish you a lot of luck and I will say a little prayer for you. Just try to keep smiling. Wink

Best Regards,
Hugh

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