I have a few more questions...

So I was talking with my younger sister today about everything and she rose a good question. Which was even if my lump in my lymph node is 2.2cm, that doesn't mean I have cancer correct? Or after a certain size that's when they worry? I am not sure...Also I did not know that my doctor ordered a CT scan for my entire body? Could that mean it is somewhere else in my body? I only had the lump on my neck on the left side?

 

PS: Everything went well during the CT scan, I am just glad I can eat now! I wasn't allowed to eat 4 hours before so I have been craving just about every food i could think of Cool! I am just glad I can relax about be stress-free this weekend. Not looking forward to Monday thoughFrown

Comments

  • lianadw
    lianadw Member Posts: 72
    good questions

    Hi Manda,

    I would say, though I'm not a doc, that the size does not mean it's cancer. They said that about my mass, and couldn't tell from the ct scan if it was cancer. It was the biopsy that diagnosed it. The Pet scan also was used diagnostically to see if there was cancer any where else. The CT did alert the docs to other possible hot spots. Are you getting a biopsy?

    Try to enjoy your weekend and not worry too much about all this. Write all your questions down for your doc if you are worrying and thinking of them. It's often hard to remember what it is we wanted to ask when the doc starts talking. I write down my questions and all the questions people ask me or suggest I ask. I have a notebook I take with me to each visit with the docs.

    Do your best to have a relaxing, or busy, weekend.

    Cheers,

    Liana

  • illead
    illead Member Posts: 884 Member
    I agree

    I totally agree with what Liana says.  That is one reason we don't want you to get too worried.  Hopefully it is not cancer but you do have to be prepared.  There are lots of things that could be the cause of the lump.  Bill had a CT scan first thing which determined that he had a lymphoma then he had a pet scan and bone marrow biopsy to determine what type and stage etc.  Also as Liana says keep a notebook of everything the doctor says, all your tests and dates.  It is easy to forget how everything happens.  Also be sure and ask for copies of labs etc. and even your xrays and scans. Bill gets a report and cd of his CT scans.  So let's hope all is well and you won't have to bother.  Monday will come but until then there is nothing you can do but enjoy life.  We are doing that while Bill is in remission, we rarely talk about it, we just enjoy each other.  Talk to you Monday (or sooner) Becky 

  • po18guy
    po18guy Member Posts: 1,461 Member
    It all depends...

    Lymph nodes are considered normally-sized up to 1.0 centimeter (a bit under 1/2 inch). However, they react (swell) when they encounter bacteria, viruses or fungi in the bloodstream. Then, they can become considerably larger. That is their job, as part of the immune sustem. When you were a kid, did doctor ever check around your jaw line, or under your arms? Doctor was not looking for cancer, but for signs of infection, which is normally what reactive lymph nodes signify. Oftentimes, the nodes closest to the site of infection are the ones that react. But, if you have a chronic infection, or one that has spread, then nodes in other parts of your body might also be swollen.

    We each have hundreds of lymph nodes in our bodies, which extend from the ears to the pelvic area. Thus, if doctor is looking for how many nodes are enlarged, a series of CT scans that runs from head to pelvis must be taken. Lymphoma is a blood-borne cancer, so it may appear anywhere in the body that it wants to go to. This does not necessarily affect the outcome of treatment, since the lymphoma cells are in the blood, exactly in the path of the chemotherapy that is introduced into the same bloodstream. For this reason, nearly all lymphomas are highly treatable.

    Having numerous enlarged odes does not automatically mean that they are cancerous. It might mean that you have  a systemic infection. However, such an infection would likely produce symptoms, such as fever, etc. Another thing that the CT looks for is masses that are not lymph nodes. Some lymphomas cause tumors outside of the lymphatic sustem, such as on the spleen or in the intestines. Another "however" here: lymphoma does not produce solid tumors as other cancers do. Lymphoma tumors are "soft" tumors. What's that? Solid tumors are essentially living organs in your body, with a system of veins and capillaries to feed them blood so they can grow. As well, some solid tumors build a membrane which keeps much of the chemotherapy out. This makes them resistant to treatment. Lymphoma tumors, on the other hand, are basically just clumps of individual cancer cells. As such, the chemotherapy can easily reach them and destroy them. 

  • lianadw
    lianadw Member Posts: 72
    po18guy said:

    It all depends...

    Lymph nodes are considered normally-sized up to 1.0 centimeter (a bit under 1/2 inch). However, they react (swell) when they encounter bacteria, viruses or fungi in the bloodstream. Then, they can become considerably larger. That is their job, as part of the immune sustem. When you were a kid, did doctor ever check around your jaw line, or under your arms? Doctor was not looking for cancer, but for signs of infection, which is normally what reactive lymph nodes signify. Oftentimes, the nodes closest to the site of infection are the ones that react. But, if you have a chronic infection, or one that has spread, then nodes in other parts of your body might also be swollen.

    We each have hundreds of lymph nodes in our bodies, which extend from the ears to the pelvic area. Thus, if doctor is looking for how many nodes are enlarged, a series of CT scans that runs from head to pelvis must be taken. Lymphoma is a blood-borne cancer, so it may appear anywhere in the body that it wants to go to. This does not necessarily affect the outcome of treatment, since the lymphoma cells are in the blood, exactly in the path of the chemotherapy that is introduced into the same bloodstream. For this reason, nearly all lymphomas are highly treatable.

    Having numerous enlarged odes does not automatically mean that they are cancerous. It might mean that you have  a systemic infection. However, such an infection would likely produce symptoms, such as fever, etc. Another thing that the CT looks for is masses that are not lymph nodes. Some lymphomas cause tumors outside of the lymphatic sustem, such as on the spleen or in the intestines. Another "however" here: lymphoma does not produce solid tumors as other cancers do. Lymphoma tumors are "soft" tumors. What's that? Solid tumors are essentially living organs in your body, with a system of veins and capillaries to feed them blood so they can grow. As well, some solid tumors build a membrane which keeps much of the chemotherapy out. This makes them resistant to treatment. Lymphoma tumors, on the other hand, are basically just clumps of individual cancer cells. As such, the chemotherapy can easily reach them and destroy them. 

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

    Hi Po18guy,

    I really appreciate how well you describe lymphoma. I have this knowledge, but you made it even clearer, and I could never have articulated it so well.

    Thank you,

    Liana

  • MandaJarvis11
    MandaJarvis11 Member Posts: 37
    lianadw said:

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

    Hi Po18guy,

    I really appreciate how well you describe lymphoma. I have this knowledge, but you made it even clearer, and I could never have articulated it so well.

    Thank you,

    Liana

    Hey thanks po18guy

    Thanks that helped with my questions! I didn't make it through my double at work today I broke down mid shift, luckily my manager was understanding and let me go home. I just really haven't slept in 4 days and it's taking a toll on my body and mind. Hopefully some sleep will help? :(

  • po18guy
    po18guy Member Posts: 1,461 Member

    Hey thanks po18guy

    Thanks that helped with my questions! I didn't make it through my double at work today I broke down mid shift, luckily my manager was understanding and let me go home. I just really haven't slept in 4 days and it's taking a toll on my body and mind. Hopefully some sleep will help? :(

    Keep the faith

    You are very welcome. All that I can tell you is that faith prepared me for this journey, so it was not devastating when I received my diagnosis. And faith has sustained me through the journey. I am convinced that I would not be here except for the prayers of many. 

  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107

    Hey thanks po18guy

    Thanks that helped with my questions! I didn't make it through my double at work today I broke down mid shift, luckily my manager was understanding and let me go home. I just really haven't slept in 4 days and it's taking a toll on my body and mind. Hopefully some sleep will help? :(

    Hi Manda

    Hi Manda.  I hope you got some good rest and are feeling better.  There is so much stress and emotional turmoil with this.  If your are not already on anti-anxiety meds, you might want to discuss with your doctors - it really helps.  You know we're here for you.

    Hugs - Jim

  • MandaJarvis11
    MandaJarvis11 Member Posts: 37
    jimwins said:

    Hi Manda

    Hi Manda.  I hope you got some good rest and are feeling better.  There is so much stress and emotional turmoil with this.  If your are not already on anti-anxiety meds, you might want to discuss with your doctors - it really helps.  You know we're here for you.

    Hugs - Jim

    Thank you! And yes I am we'll

    Thank you! And yes I am we'll rested. Andover have a script for anxiety when needed. I've already took some this morning just in case there is bad news. But I have high hopes ill be okay! Ill keep you all posted and appreciate all the warmth i have received since joining this site! <3

  • anliperez915
    anliperez915 Member Posts: 770
    Hi Manda

    Hi Manda,

    Sorry for the late welcome, I hope everything goes well today! Please let us know how everything went! I will be keeping you in my prayers! Take care

    Sincerely,

    Liz

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member

    Hi Manda

    Hi Manda,

    Sorry for the late welcome, I hope everything goes well today! Please let us know how everything went! I will be keeping you in my prayers! Take care

    Sincerely,

    Liz

    Prayers for you...

    Hi Manda,

     Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way for clean scan results today. Waiting for the results is so darn stressful! Try to stay calm, and please share back what you find out. Much love...Sue

    (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)age62

  • MandaJarvis11
    MandaJarvis11 Member Posts: 37
    allmost60 said:

    Prayers for you...

    Hi Manda,

     Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way for clean scan results today. Waiting for the results is so darn stressful! Try to stay calm, and please share back what you find out. Much love...Sue

    (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)age62

    Still confused & stressed

    Results came back great! CT was clear, he said the lump had went down to a 1.5cm rather then the 2.2 it was. But was much joy I have that it's not cancer he never gave me an explanation as to why I have the lump or why I'm in pain. And I'm not sure why he didn't run a biopsy even though it shrunk that doesn't mean anything. And I found our my grandma had died from lymphoma. and my doctor never said "Amanda you do not have anything to worry about, you do not have cancer" idk I am just in the dark still and I don't know if it's worth getting a second opinion?

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member

    Still confused & stressed

    Results came back great! CT was clear, he said the lump had went down to a 1.5cm rather then the 2.2 it was. But was much joy I have that it's not cancer he never gave me an explanation as to why I have the lump or why I'm in pain. And I'm not sure why he didn't run a biopsy even though it shrunk that doesn't mean anything. And I found our my grandma had died from lymphoma. and my doctor never said "Amanda you do not have anything to worry about, you do not have cancer" idk I am just in the dark still and I don't know if it's worth getting a second opinion?

    Second opinion...

    Hi Manda,

     If it was me, I'd get a second opinion. Go to a doctor that isn't afilliated with the doctor you have now. You can take the test results you have already done with you along with other information from your first doctor. I think you will feel better and less stressed by getting a second opinion. Let us know what you decide to do.Take care and best wishes...Sue

    (FNHL-2-3a-6/10)

  • illead
    illead Member Posts: 884 Member
    I agree

    Hi Amanda,

         I am so thrilled to hear the good news.  Even tho you still have questions, I know you are very relieved.  I'll bet it felt like the weight of the world lifted off of you.  I agree with Sue about seeing another oncologist and taking your records.  You can also probably get your CT records and CD.  Thank you so much for letting us know.  I have been thinking about you all weekend, just got busy today and didn't read your post until just now.  Look at the positives of your "big scare", it can you make you more compassionate when others face difficult situations.  It's a blessing to have such a life lesson when so young.  Thinking of you and very happy too,  Becky