Swollen Lymph Node

Joel4
Joel4 Member Posts: 263 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I'm approaching a year since I was diagnosed with SCC unknown primary and had left neck dissection. Since then I have had checkups every six weeks where I get scoped and the awesome hand down my throat manuever.
A few days back I noticed a swollen lymph node in the back of my neck. It's the kind of thing I get from time to time but this one is a little bigger. It has been making me a bit anxious.
My next appt is scheduled for Monday and I can't wait for the exam so I can have it looked at and maybe get some answers. I've been NED every appt so far and I want to keep it going.
I never did get radiation and the hope is that the primary was fought off and is gone BUT the thought that the cancer is in there spreading about is always close by.
Keep me in you prayers and God bless!

Joel

Comments

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #2
    Prayers
    Joel,

    Prayers sent out for you. You are in a period that I think is one of the worst, the waiting period.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #3
    Hi Joel
    I'm about a year from finishing rads and chemo, and about six months from my partial neck dissection Joel, and I know how you feel. It's hard to get over the feeling that each checkup gives you a new lease on your current life. Best of luck on Monday. Lymph nodes evolved to swell, so try not to worry too much.

    best, Hal
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
    Coming your way...
    I can definitely relate Joel, when is your next CT or PET. I get scoped every 6 - 8 weeks also. I do have thickening on the side that got the most attention and rads myself. There is a spot on that side that seems slightly swollwen and a small one on the other.

    My ENT always confirms them both just being residual and scarring from the radiation, but it still makes you nervous. Especially if I'm not feeling well, glands tend to swell a little, aches and pains.

    I also just went through something very similar to you...it's very hard not to have anxiety. It's a disease and treatment that definitely makes you gun shy.

    My thoughts and prayers coming your way brother...
    John
  • Joel4
    Joel4 Member Posts: 263 Member
    #5
    Skiffin16 said:

    Coming your way...
    I can definitely relate Joel, when is your next CT or PET. I get scoped every 6 - 8 weeks also. I do have thickening on the side that got the most attention and rads myself. There is a spot on that side that seems slightly swollwen and a small one on the other.

    My ENT always confirms them both just being residual and scarring from the radiation, but it still makes you nervous. Especially if I'm not feeling well, glands tend to swell a little, aches and pains.

    I also just went through something very similar to you...it's very hard not to have anxiety. It's a disease and treatment that definitely makes you gun shy.

    My thoughts and prayers coming your way brother...
    John

    Thanks...
    ...for the encouragement guys. John, I just had a CT scan about 6-7 weeks ago and that was clean. I don't have another PET/CT until sometime in April I believe.
    Everyone in the house has been sick except for me. I think I'm fighting off whatever the rest of the family has had thus the swollen node BUT that does not assuage the angst. I swear I have the urge to feel back there every couple of minutes to see if it has gone down yet...lol.

    Joel
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #6
    Joel4 said:

    Thanks...
    ...for the encouragement guys. John, I just had a CT scan about 6-7 weeks ago and that was clean. I don't have another PET/CT until sometime in April I believe.
    Everyone in the house has been sick except for me. I think I'm fighting off whatever the rest of the family has had thus the swollen node BUT that does not assuage the angst. I swear I have the urge to feel back there every couple of minutes to see if it has gone down yet...lol.

    Joel

    Been there, one that Too...
    I too feel that urge to keep feeling, trying to convince myself nothing is really there. I also don't seem to get sick, but I do have these swollen glands that pop up periodically.

    I almost am begging to think that this is part of my "New Normal"...is it the way that my body now fights minor head and neck colds, or bugs...?

    I seem to go through similar each time, swollen glands, stiff muscles, soar spots or areas..an then they just go away.

    Even when they are active and I have scopes or scans, nothing is seemd to cause any alarm (other than with me)....

    Best,
    John
  • Joel4
    Joel4 Member Posts: 263 Member
    #7
    Skiffin16 said:

    Been there, one that Too...
    I too feel that urge to keep feeling, trying to convince myself nothing is really there. I also don't seem to get sick, but I do have these swollen glands that pop up periodically.

    I almost am begging to think that this is part of my "New Normal"...is it the way that my body now fights minor head and neck colds, or bugs...?

    I seem to go through similar each time, swollen glands, stiff muscles, soar spots or areas..an then they just go away.

    Even when they are active and I have scopes or scans, nothing is seemd to cause any alarm (other than with me)....

    Best,
    John

    Update
    Saw the doc yesterday and he made our day. He felt the lymph node in question and said that it is not in an area that the cancer would travel to and regardless it is quite small. He suggested that the lymph is settling there because with the 42 gone from surgery the lymph needs a place to go.
    He scoped and palpatated and said everything looks great. He reminded me that the one year mark is approaching and appointments can be spaced out soon. Not sure if I'm ready for that.
    My wife and I left the office in tears we were so happy.
    God is good.
  • DJG1
    DJG1 Member Posts: 121
    #8
    Joel4 said:

    Update
    Saw the doc yesterday and he made our day. He felt the lymph node in question and said that it is not in an area that the cancer would travel to and regardless it is quite small. He suggested that the lymph is settling there because with the 42 gone from surgery the lymph needs a place to go.
    He scoped and palpatated and said everything looks great. He reminded me that the one year mark is approaching and appointments can be spaced out soon. Not sure if I'm ready for that.
    My wife and I left the office in tears we were so happy.
    God is good.

    Joel,
    Glad you visit with
    Joel,
    Glad you visit with doc brought you good news and releif. God is good!
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #9
    Joel4 said:

    Update
    Saw the doc yesterday and he made our day. He felt the lymph node in question and said that it is not in an area that the cancer would travel to and regardless it is quite small. He suggested that the lymph is settling there because with the 42 gone from surgery the lymph needs a place to go.
    He scoped and palpatated and said everything looks great. He reminded me that the one year mark is approaching and appointments can be spaced out soon. Not sure if I'm ready for that.
    My wife and I left the office in tears we were so happy.
    God is good.

    Good News Joel
    Great to hear there are no problems. Longer spacing between appointments is always a positive prognosis too. Cheers

    Jimbo
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #10
    Joel4 said:

    Thanks...
    ...for the encouragement guys. John, I just had a CT scan about 6-7 weeks ago and that was clean. I don't have another PET/CT until sometime in April I believe.
    Everyone in the house has been sick except for me. I think I'm fighting off whatever the rest of the family has had thus the swollen node BUT that does not assuage the angst. I swear I have the urge to feel back there every couple of minutes to see if it has gone down yet...lol.

    Joel

    Ugh
    Yeah, any extra swelling definately makes me crazy. Feeling silly for saying so, but I'm hoping you have an infection. That would explain swelling - hope doc can give you the good word on Monday. I'm with you though "is it smaller?" "is it smaller?"
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #11
    In prayer all the way Joel
    I had about 6 of them swollen at the same time a few years ago, scare me pretty bad and they hurt hell, but a few weeks later they were all gone, I am not sure if this is just another one of those side affects that we can expect from time to time.

    Take care my friend, you know you are always in my prayers
    Hondo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #12
    Joel4 said:

    Update
    Saw the doc yesterday and he made our day. He felt the lymph node in question and said that it is not in an area that the cancer would travel to and regardless it is quite small. He suggested that the lymph is settling there because with the 42 gone from surgery the lymph needs a place to go.
    He scoped and palpatated and said everything looks great. He reminded me that the one year mark is approaching and appointments can be spaced out soon. Not sure if I'm ready for that.
    My wife and I left the office in tears we were so happy.
    God is good.

    Great News...
    Yes, it does get scary when you are cut lose...

    I still keep my ENT well paid though, LOL...he tolerates my frequent unscheduled visits. He always reassures me that he'd rather that I come in if I have any doubts. But also always mentions that these bouts due to scarring, changes, and what not that will occur for several years.

    Best,
    John

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