Swollen Lymph Node in Groin and other pains
I do apologize for posting here. I read your stories and am amazed by the courage and bravery here. I apologize because i have not been dianosed with HL or NHL, but have issues and concerns and a doctor who is very dismissive. Here is my story. June 2013 I get terrible pain in behind right testicle. Diagnosed with Epididymitis. Standard testing is done and no bacterial/STD cause can be found. Shortly after a lymph node in groin swells. First notice July 8, 2013. Doctor says it is reactive to whatever is causing epididymitis. over the next few weeks the testicle starts hurting less, but the node starts hurting more. Lymph node causing pressure in groin, pain radiates to my right thigh, up through my belly on the right side, my right hip and my right flank. The thigh, hip, flank pain is intermittent but always feeling at least one. July 31, 2013 I get ultrasound done on groin. result is "enlarged lymph node 19mm x 11mm x 6mm. Mostly benign features, likely reactive.". Now my doctor has one look at this and declares it reactive and says it will go away. September 3 go back to the doctor to discuss increased pressure in groin and intermittent pain in extensions (thigh, flank, hip) continue and are getting a little stronger at times. Again, doctor says it is reactive and will clear up eventually. Here it is now October 2, 2013. The bulge is still in my groin, sometimes looks bigger and other times smaller. hurts more now than before. Where it was a pressure feeling when it started, now has become painful with sharp stabbing pain once in a while. In addition, not sure if it matters or not but I have been getting up to urinate everynight between 3 and 4 am since this started. Never used to happen before. I'm 34 years old. I'm not asking to get diagnosed here. But i'm looking for next steps. What would you suggest I do next regarding seeing a doctor and what kind of tests would you suggest I ask for? my doc is not worried at all. Of course, I jump to worse case scenario and assume the lymph node is lymphoma. My doctor thinks anxiety is getting the better of me. I wish i could agree. However, I can't explain a swollen lymph node for over three months when no infection is found and the pain/discomfort i'm feeling is not going away and becoming more consistent.. Please provide your thoughts if possible.
Comments
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Advice
First of all, I am female so I don't know how the things you describe work or feel. Secondly, I am not a doctor. I am sorry that you are experiencing this pain and worry. I'm not sure what kind of doctor guys go to for problems down there--a urologist? Whatever kind it is, I would start there.
As far as the pain goes, I don't know of anyone here who has experienced pain with their swollen lymph nodes. Do you have any other symptoms of lymphoma such as unexplained weight loss, night sweats, itching, fever, breathing difficulties, fatigue?
Good luck,
Rocquie
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Advice
No need to apologize for posting...that's what most of us are here for!
The pain your describing I experienced when my lymph nodes grew in my groin area (I'm a guy). I also had the nodes in my neck grow and were painful. With that said, I also agree with Rocquie. There are other symptoms associated with most lymphomas. I assume the doctor has ordered some blood tests too. Normally your blood counts will get out of wack.
I would pressure the doctor into explaining why he is not concerned about lymphoma. If you're not experiencing other symptoms and your blood counts look in order...he is probably right.
Remember...you're in charge of your own health...
Keep us informed! I'll put you in my prayers!
Karl
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AdviceRocquie said:Advice
First of all, I am female so I don't know how the things you describe work or feel. Secondly, I am not a doctor. I am sorry that you are experiencing this pain and worry. I'm not sure what kind of doctor guys go to for problems down there--a urologist? Whatever kind it is, I would start there.
As far as the pain goes, I don't know of anyone here who has experienced pain with their swollen lymph nodes. Do you have any other symptoms of lymphoma such as unexplained weight loss, night sweats, itching, fever, breathing difficulties, fatigue?
Good luck,
Rocquie
Rocquie, Thank you so much for the reply. I haven't any other symptoms you describe. I'm tired, but that's because i have trouble sleeping. if i so much as turn in the middle of the night i wake up and feel for bumps and worry about the worst case scenario. I will ask my doctor for a referral to a urologist.
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adviceShoopy said:Advice
No need to apologize for posting...that's what most of us are here for!
The pain your describing I experienced when my lymph nodes grew in my groin area (I'm a guy). I also had the nodes in my neck grow and were painful. With that said, I also agree with Rocquie. There are other symptoms associated with most lymphomas. I assume the doctor has ordered some blood tests too. Normally your blood counts will get out of wack.
I would pressure the doctor into explaining why he is not concerned about lymphoma. If you're not experiencing other symptoms and your blood counts look in order...he is probably right.
Remember...you're in charge of your own health...
Keep us informed! I'll put you in my prayers!
Karl
Shoopy,
Thank you for your feedback. I did the full blood and urine work. Nothing was out of the ordinary. With no other symptoms and blood work normal, my doctor says its an infection that will take time to g away. my concern is three months and pain is becoming more consistent. you are right. It is my own health. I will ask for referals. also, it has been over two months since my last sonogram. I should request another to see if there have been any changes.
I do have a small bump ion my neck. been there for almost two months from when i can remember. totally painless. doctor says 5mm and totally benign. He says I should not worry. It has not grown at all.
Thank you so much for the feedback. I will keep you posted if my condition changes.
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Different Take...needadvice1911 said:advice
Shoopy,
Thank you for your feedback. I did the full blood and urine work. Nothing was out of the ordinary. With no other symptoms and blood work normal, my doctor says its an infection that will take time to g away. my concern is three months and pain is becoming more consistent. you are right. It is my own health. I will ask for referals. also, it has been over two months since my last sonogram. I should request another to see if there have been any changes.
I do have a small bump ion my neck. been there for almost two months from when i can remember. totally painless. doctor says 5mm and totally benign. He says I should not worry. It has not grown at all.
Thank you so much for the feedback. I will keep you posted if my condition changes.
Needadvice,
I will play devil's advocate here and sound a little differnt that my friends who earlier posted in response to you. I would make an appointment with an oncologist. If your insurance situation requires a referral (some oncologists in some areas require referrals, and some do not) then ask your doc, with all due respect, for a referral. If he will not, get a referral from a different doctor.
If you roam around this site, you will see that virtually everyone got diagnosed with lymphoma in differing ways. Sometimes it is blatantly clear, immediately, that it was lymphoma, but many other people are treated for non-cancerous diseases for some time before finally getting a correct diagnosis.
What passes for "bloodwork" can vary widely also. Did you receive a full CBC and Metabolic Profile ? The average CBC "package" does not contain many specialty tests used to track lymphoma. It varies by the lab selling the tests, basically. The labs run on you may have been very complete and thourough, or may not be so thorough. Ask the doc that question, or look at the results yourself -- the headings will ordinarily say what tests or sorts of tests are included. But: even people with late stage disease sometimes have labs results that are near-normal. I was one such person, and in fact, my WBC counts were NEVER abnormal, prior to receiving chemo infusions. Also, I NEVER felt a node ANYWHERE prior to diagnosis. My cancer was caught via a CT, which I was given due to chest pain, which the doctors thought was angina. It was instead massive nodes pressing agasinst the wall of my heart.
I have NO medical training, but I have never heard any doctor claim that he can look at an exposed node and tell if it is benign or cancerous. A surgeon who has cut out a biopsy node cannot even know that -- it has to be sent to a lab for analysis by pathologists. In fact, the ONLY definitve diagnosis for cancer is a pathology report from a biopsied sample. Clinically, I first presented with huge nodes across three quadrants of my body. The surgeon looked at the CT with me and said: "I am not an oncologist, but I do a lot of cancer surgery. This is UNOFFICIAL, but you are torn up with lymphoma. But we must do a biopsy to confirm ." He was absolutely correct. He said that he only other thing that looks similiar on a CT to what I showed is end-stage AIDS, but I was at no risk for HIV, and have always tested negative.
So, I would request a referral, or at least further testing. I would rather spend a little more money on insurance copays and deductables, to be sure.
Just my view of what you described. Please do send us anything further that you learn.
max
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DITTO WITH MAXDifferent Take...
Needadvice,
I will play devil's advocate here and sound a little differnt that my friends who earlier posted in response to you. I would make an appointment with an oncologist. If your insurance situation requires a referral (some oncologists in some areas require referrals, and some do not) then ask your doc, with all due respect, for a referral. If he will not, get a referral from a different doctor.
If you roam around this site, you will see that virtually everyone got diagnosed with lymphoma in differing ways. Sometimes it is blatantly clear, immediately, that it was lymphoma, but many other people are treated for non-cancerous diseases for some time before finally getting a correct diagnosis.
What passes for "bloodwork" can vary widely also. Did you receive a full CBC and Metabolic Profile ? The average CBC "package" does not contain many specialty tests used to track lymphoma. It varies by the lab selling the tests, basically. The labs run on you may have been very complete and thourough, or may not be so thorough. Ask the doc that question, or look at the results yourself -- the headings will ordinarily say what tests or sorts of tests are included. But: even people with late stage disease sometimes have labs results that are near-normal. I was one such person, and in fact, my WBC counts were NEVER abnormal, prior to receiving chemo infusions. Also, I NEVER felt a node ANYWHERE prior to diagnosis. My cancer was caught via a CT, which I was given due to chest pain, which the doctors thought was angina. It was instead massive nodes pressing agasinst the wall of my heart.
I have NO medical training, but I have never heard any doctor claim that he can look at an exposed node and tell if it is benign or cancerous. A surgeon who has cut out a biopsy node cannot even know that -- it has to be sent to a lab for analysis by pathologists. In fact, the ONLY definitve diagnosis for cancer is a pathology report from a biopsied sample. Clinically, I first presented with huge nodes across three quadrants of my body. The surgeon looked at the CT with me and said: "I am not an oncologist, but I do a lot of cancer surgery. This is UNOFFICIAL, but you are torn up with lymphoma. But we must do a biopsy to confirm ." He was absolutely correct. He said that he only other thing that looks similiar on a CT to what I showed is end-stage AIDS, but I was at no risk for HIV, and have always tested negative.
So, I would request a referral, or at least further testing. I would rather spend a little more money on insurance copays and deductables, to be sure.
Just my view of what you described. Please do send us anything further that you learn.
max
I totally agree with Max on this. The only difference is I think your Dr. is an A$$hole. You are in pain and he is saying it will go away. You don't want to hear that crap. You want a diagnosis of what is going on with your body. Your Dr. has to realize what is going on is not normal and has to be identified. To be honest it does not sound like Lymphoma, but no one, not even your Dr. can say without some sort of biopsy. I do not understand why Drs. have not woke up and realized how wide spread Lymphoma has become. It probably has been wide spread for years and now just being recognized. I would seek out another Dr. and start with a Urologist first. I was one of those people Max was refering too and was diagnosed when I was having a routine CAT scan from my Urologist. John
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Thank YouCOBRA666 said:DITTO WITH MAX
I totally agree with Max on this. The only difference is I think your Dr. is an A$$hole. You are in pain and he is saying it will go away. You don't want to hear that crap. You want a diagnosis of what is going on with your body. Your Dr. has to realize what is going on is not normal and has to be identified. To be honest it does not sound like Lymphoma, but no one, not even your Dr. can say without some sort of biopsy. I do not understand why Drs. have not woke up and realized how wide spread Lymphoma has become. It probably has been wide spread for years and now just being recognized. I would seek out another Dr. and start with a Urologist first. I was one of those people Max was refering too and was diagnosed when I was having a routine CAT scan from my Urologist. John
Cobra666 et al,
I thank you for you comments and feedback. Cobra, you are correct. my doctor is an a$$. Easy for someone to say let it go when they don't feel what i feel. I am scheduling an appointment this morning. I hope i get in early next week. Let me know if i'm on the right track here. I will make clear (again) my lymphoma concerns and why. Explain its been three months plus and still reacting, either find what its reacting to, or explore other possibilities. I want full blood work. Is there a specific name for the blood tests i'm looking for here, or would he know what to look for during the blood test? I see CBC and WBC a lot. Anythign else? I will request another ultrasound to see if node is growing or looks less benign. Also a CT scan to see if there is growth anywhere else. Do i ask for oncology referral before or after the results? I will also ask for urologist referral. They are experts in that area of the male body.
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needadviceneedadvice1911 said:Thank You
Cobra666 et al,
I thank you for you comments and feedback. Cobra, you are correct. my doctor is an a$$. Easy for someone to say let it go when they don't feel what i feel. I am scheduling an appointment this morning. I hope i get in early next week. Let me know if i'm on the right track here. I will make clear (again) my lymphoma concerns and why. Explain its been three months plus and still reacting, either find what its reacting to, or explore other possibilities. I want full blood work. Is there a specific name for the blood tests i'm looking for here, or would he know what to look for during the blood test? I see CBC and WBC a lot. Anythign else? I will request another ultrasound to see if node is growing or looks less benign. Also a CT scan to see if there is growth anywhere else. Do i ask for oncology referral before or after the results? I will also ask for urologist referral. They are experts in that area of the male body.
I think making an appt. with a Urologist would be your best bet. You are right they are experts in that area. I had a couple of ct scans awhile before the Urologist had sent me to have his routine ct scan,yet nothing was ever said about swollen lymp nodes in other reports. They had to be swollen because I have Follicular and it is a slow grower. The blood work your Urologist will order will be a complete order. Just request it to be sure. I am sure it will be a complete physical and probably a ct scan will be ordered. Specialty Drs. are USUALLY more thorough than PC's. The wbc can tell a lot as far as infections and other problems. There are normals for all all blood components and thats what they go by. It can explain a lot of abnormalities with the body.
btw: If this has been going on for 3 months I do not believe it will just go away on its own. It's going to need some help to rid the problem at this point.
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Next step...needadvice1911 said:Thank You
Cobra666 et al,
I thank you for you comments and feedback. Cobra, you are correct. my doctor is an a$$. Easy for someone to say let it go when they don't feel what i feel. I am scheduling an appointment this morning. I hope i get in early next week. Let me know if i'm on the right track here. I will make clear (again) my lymphoma concerns and why. Explain its been three months plus and still reacting, either find what its reacting to, or explore other possibilities. I want full blood work. Is there a specific name for the blood tests i'm looking for here, or would he know what to look for during the blood test? I see CBC and WBC a lot. Anythign else? I will request another ultrasound to see if node is growing or looks less benign. Also a CT scan to see if there is growth anywhere else. Do i ask for oncology referral before or after the results? I will also ask for urologist referral. They are experts in that area of the male body.
Need,
I guess I would ask for the referral after I heard what the doc has to say in this next visit.
Ask him what your LDH number is ? ("LDH" measures tissue destruction, and is UNRELATED to cholesterol -- do not confuse it with "LDL". )
And ask him your SEDIMENTATION RATE.
Both of these are key markes for lymphoma. If he blows you off or says you are "Playing Doctor," I would walk for the door...
A uriologist is indeed more expert with your problem in the pelvic area, but you mentioned a node in your neck emerging, which is why my next step would be an oncologist, or uriological oncologist.
max
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Great Advice
Thanks for the great advice so far from all of you. I have my appointment today at 5pm. I'm going to a different doctor at the facility i go to. I've pretty much had enough from the guy who has been blowing me off and attributing everything to stress and anxiety. I'm seeing a new doctor today. Hopefully get some more understanding from this guy. So, after describing my symptoms and showing off my lumps, I will request full blood work (CBC, WBC, sed rate, LDH, and anything else that can rule in or out lymphoma). In addition, i will request an ultrasound of my groin one more time. The node has definitely not gotten any smaller. I want to know if it has grown or if there are any more in the area. A CT scan will be requested as well to see if there are growths anywhere else in the body. I have the small bump in my neck my original doc says is nothing. I will be getting a second opinion on that as well.
I will let you all know how it goes.
Thanks again for the great advice and support.
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Great !!!!needadvice1911 said:Great Advice
Thanks for the great advice so far from all of you. I have my appointment today at 5pm. I'm going to a different doctor at the facility i go to. I've pretty much had enough from the guy who has been blowing me off and attributing everything to stress and anxiety. I'm seeing a new doctor today. Hopefully get some more understanding from this guy. So, after describing my symptoms and showing off my lumps, I will request full blood work (CBC, WBC, sed rate, LDH, and anything else that can rule in or out lymphoma). In addition, i will request an ultrasound of my groin one more time. The node has definitely not gotten any smaller. I want to know if it has grown or if there are any more in the area. A CT scan will be requested as well to see if there are growths anywhere else in the body. I have the small bump in my neck my original doc says is nothing. I will be getting a second opinion on that as well.
I will let you all know how it goes.
Thanks again for the great advice and support.
Even if your first Dr. was right and it is nothing,which I doubt he is still not very thorough. You need a new Dr. that's for sure. John
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New Doctorneedadvice1911 said:Great Advice
Thanks for the great advice so far from all of you. I have my appointment today at 5pm. I'm going to a different doctor at the facility i go to. I've pretty much had enough from the guy who has been blowing me off and attributing everything to stress and anxiety. I'm seeing a new doctor today. Hopefully get some more understanding from this guy. So, after describing my symptoms and showing off my lumps, I will request full blood work (CBC, WBC, sed rate, LDH, and anything else that can rule in or out lymphoma). In addition, i will request an ultrasound of my groin one more time. The node has definitely not gotten any smaller. I want to know if it has grown or if there are any more in the area. A CT scan will be requested as well to see if there are growths anywhere else in the body. I have the small bump in my neck my original doc says is nothing. I will be getting a second opinion on that as well.
I will let you all know how it goes.
Thanks again for the great advice and support.
I hope you love your new doctor and that he/she will give you a thorough exam and listen to your concerns with the time and attention all patients should receive. I look forward to hearing how it goes.
And for the record, I hope you do NOT have lymphoma or any other type of malignancy!
Positive thoughts from me,
Rocquie
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New doctorRocquie said:New Doctor
I hope you love your new doctor and that he/she will give you a thorough exam and listen to your concerns with the time and attention all patients should receive. I look forward to hearing how it goes.
And for the record, I hope you do NOT have lymphoma or any other type of malignancy!
Positive thoughts from me,
Rocquie
Thank you so much. My new doctor arms freat so far. He listened to all my concerns and physically examined me. He understands my concerns about lymphoma and wants to make sure we address the concerns. Felt all major areas where enlarged nodes can be felt. Ordered full blood and urinalysis which I am doing this morning as the lab was closed after my appointment. It will include all suggested tests mentioned in this discussion. Also having an ultrasound done on groin to see if the enlarged node has changed or if any new ones Have come up. A CT scan will be done to see if there are any other detectable abnormalities in my body. If nothing comes of these tests, they will refer me to a urologist for further examination. One thing doctor did mention is the groin node is deep and not palpable. He thinks because it is deep and there is not much room in there, it is pressing against nerves causing pain to go in all directions. Now we are going to find out what is going on with this node and if it is alone. Thanks everyone for the support and suggestions. I will keep you posted.
ray
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Progress !needadvice1911 said:New doctor
Thank you so much. My new doctor arms freat so far. He listened to all my concerns and physically examined me. He understands my concerns about lymphoma and wants to make sure we address the concerns. Felt all major areas where enlarged nodes can be felt. Ordered full blood and urinalysis which I am doing this morning as the lab was closed after my appointment. It will include all suggested tests mentioned in this discussion. Also having an ultrasound done on groin to see if the enlarged node has changed or if any new ones Have come up. A CT scan will be done to see if there are any other detectable abnormalities in my body. If nothing comes of these tests, they will refer me to a urologist for further examination. One thing doctor did mention is the groin node is deep and not palpable. He thinks because it is deep and there is not much room in there, it is pressing against nerves causing pain to go in all directions. Now we are going to find out what is going on with this node and if it is alone. Thanks everyone for the support and suggestions. I will keep you posted.
ray
Ray,
It sounds like you made a great leap ahead in your care with this new doc. His aggressive and cooperative testing is certain to get you the answers you must have.
I hope and pray that it is non-cancerous. Either way, the sooner you know, the better. Do keep us updated, as we deal with this sort of thing every day.
max
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Progress Indeed
I gave my blood and urine samples yesterday. Couldn't even keep count of how many viles they took. I'm glad though. I want to make sure everything is investigated. Ultrasound and CT scheduled for October 17, 2013. New Doctor is very supportive. He is as determined as i am to get to the bottom of this. Thank you all for the support and advice so far.
I will keep you all posted.
Ray
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So, the blood/urine tests all
So, the blood/urine tests all came back clean. Everything was within normal range. I had the scan's done this morning. I asked the guy what he saw and how it looked. Like every other time I ask this question, they are not allowed to provide answers. He told me it was top secret and classified and my doctor will have the results later today or tomorrow.
During the ultrasound, the guy was able to point out the node to me. I asked him to do so because I can feel the pressure, but could never palpate the node. nor could my doctor. He moved the wand on the crease between my thigh and groin, eventually stopping. Moving it back and forth, he found a bump and I could feel it when he pressed down pretty hard. seems to run along the tube/canal that is in that area. Not sure how big it was though. he wouldn't tell me. I will keep the updates coming as they come in. Thanks so much for the support so far. You are all amazing people.
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good so far ...needadvice1911 said:So, the blood/urine tests all
So, the blood/urine tests all came back clean. Everything was within normal range. I had the scan's done this morning. I asked the guy what he saw and how it looked. Like every other time I ask this question, they are not allowed to provide answers. He told me it was top secret and classified and my doctor will have the results later today or tomorrow.
During the ultrasound, the guy was able to point out the node to me. I asked him to do so because I can feel the pressure, but could never palpate the node. nor could my doctor. He moved the wand on the crease between my thigh and groin, eventually stopping. Moving it back and forth, he found a bump and I could feel it when he pressed down pretty hard. seems to run along the tube/canal that is in that area. Not sure how big it was though. he wouldn't tell me. I will keep the updates coming as they come in. Thanks so much for the support so far. You are all amazing people.
Its great that all of the blood work is negative. Hopefully the CT will be as well.
max
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Good Dealneedadvice1911 said:So, the blood/urine tests all
So, the blood/urine tests all came back clean. Everything was within normal range. I had the scan's done this morning. I asked the guy what he saw and how it looked. Like every other time I ask this question, they are not allowed to provide answers. He told me it was top secret and classified and my doctor will have the results later today or tomorrow.
During the ultrasound, the guy was able to point out the node to me. I asked him to do so because I can feel the pressure, but could never palpate the node. nor could my doctor. He moved the wand on the crease between my thigh and groin, eventually stopping. Moving it back and forth, he found a bump and I could feel it when he pressed down pretty hard. seems to run along the tube/canal that is in that area. Not sure how big it was though. he wouldn't tell me. I will keep the updates coming as they come in. Thanks so much for the support so far. You are all amazing people.
Thanks for letting us know, Ray! I know you look forward to hearing results from all your tests. Meanwhile, I hope you are feeling better.
Have a good weekend,
Rocquie
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I'm back
Hello all. I hope everyone is doing well. I have been watching the forum and have been really happy when i hear great news. So, my doctos policy (and i'm sure that is the same of others) is that he will call me if there is something of concern in my scan results. Results get back to him in 1 to 3 days. the radiologist told me he would have them to my doctor in two days. I let two weeks go by before I got the nerve to call up my doctor. He eventually got back to me and said there was nothing significant in any of the scans and with with good blood and urine work, there is no concern at this time. I have to admit, that did make me feel better, but I need the results. I have an appointment with him on December 4, 2013 for routine blood work (I have high colesterol i monitor every three months). At this time he will give me my results. I can still feel the node in my groin, doesn't really hurt but you can still see that the right side sticks out further than the left. The pain in my thigh and flank and hip has subsided for about two weeks now. I will come back with my results on the node or nodes in my groin. You guys are a great group and appreciate all the support so far.
On a negative note, my father was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. We do not know the stage yet, but it is at least stage 2 as there is 22.5% involvement of the prostate. In addition, he has a gleason score of 8 which means the cancer is aggressive. we found out on Tuesday and he is having his first radiation treatment as we speak. We are all praying for the best. I don't know much about prostate cancer, but am learning really fast.
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Greatneedadvice1911 said:I'm back
Hello all. I hope everyone is doing well. I have been watching the forum and have been really happy when i hear great news. So, my doctos policy (and i'm sure that is the same of others) is that he will call me if there is something of concern in my scan results. Results get back to him in 1 to 3 days. the radiologist told me he would have them to my doctor in two days. I let two weeks go by before I got the nerve to call up my doctor. He eventually got back to me and said there was nothing significant in any of the scans and with with good blood and urine work, there is no concern at this time. I have to admit, that did make me feel better, but I need the results. I have an appointment with him on December 4, 2013 for routine blood work (I have high colesterol i monitor every three months). At this time he will give me my results. I can still feel the node in my groin, doesn't really hurt but you can still see that the right side sticks out further than the left. The pain in my thigh and flank and hip has subsided for about two weeks now. I will come back with my results on the node or nodes in my groin. You guys are a great group and appreciate all the support so far.
On a negative note, my father was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. We do not know the stage yet, but it is at least stage 2 as there is 22.5% involvement of the prostate. In addition, he has a gleason score of 8 which means the cancer is aggressive. we found out on Tuesday and he is having his first radiation treatment as we speak. We are all praying for the best. I don't know much about prostate cancer, but am learning really fast.
Ray,
Negative news is always good news here. I am glad that all indications are that you are lymphoma-free. Don't just ask the doc to explain your results, have him give you a copy of the radiologist's summary. You paid for it, and it is your medical record. You have every right to it, and your doc will have a copy of it in your file, either paper, or electronic, in an e-mail. (Note: You cannot get the scan [the visual, 3-D imaging] itself, but you can get the SUMMARY: the radiologist's written summation of what he saw.) The same for any blood work: my doc always provides me with the complete file from the lab, without me even asking for it.
Unfortunately, I know quite a bit about prostate cancer. Two friends in the last few years (one just two months ago) died from it. One lived with it 11 years, and the other, who just died, had it for 13 years. Average survival with it is pretty long, but there are differing strains of it, just as with lymphoma. It is treated very differently from lymphoma, mostly with hormonal therapy, surgery, and radiation. I do know that chemo is rarely used, and only in stage 4, and that chemo is never considered curative against it. It is a pallative / slowing agent only with prostate.
New prostate drugs are very rapidly coming to market. My friend was on Zytiga and Jevtana, both of which are virtually brand new, and both were highly effective in lowering his PSA, which at one point was 1,000 (yes, I wrote one-thousand) .
There is of course a Prostate Board here.
Bless you father, and I hope his is a readily treatable form at a readily treatable stage,
max
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