The waiting game...

Kpakka12
Kpakka12 Member Posts: 3
in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1

Hi everyone! I am so sorry for asking these questions since I know I'm not the only one asking them. I also know you guys can't diagnose anything. I just feel like I'm driving myself nuts and I felt like I needed to talk to someone who understands at least a little.

About two months ago after a workout I got extremely out of breath and felt like I was going to pass out. Then I developed a nonproductive cough that would not go away. I attributed both to my being out of shape and kept working out, etc. A couple of days later I found a lump the size of a pea under my right arm. After waiting about a month to see if it would go away, I went to my doc. They ordered a chest xray, bloodwork, an EKG, and a chest ct (after abnormal results from bloodwork) and everything came back normal.

I just had an ultrasound of my arm two days ago so now I'm waiting for the results of that. My dr has been focusing on the cough and shortness of breath and has not really paid much attention to the lump until now but I feel like it is just because we're running out of test.  

Anyway, long story short, I know I have not been diagnosed and I may not be in the right discussion board but should I ask for a biopsy? I'm so tired all the time and the lump seems to be getting larger. It seems to be pressing on a nerve in my arm because my hand goes numb and my shoulder hurts when my arm is at my side. When I brought this up I was told it was probably carpal tunnel.

I trust my doctor, and I don't want to come off as a hypochondriac. Something just doesn't seem right. 

Thank you so much for reading my huge novel of a post. I hope you guys are all feeling well and enjoying the cooler weather :) 

K 

Comments

  • Rocquie
    Rocquie Member Posts: 869 Member
    #2
    Welcome

    K, welcome to the group. Please don't feel you need to apologize for asking questions. I am not sure why, but it does seem that many people have trouble getting a diagnosis/ruling out Lymphoma.

    You don't say what your abnormal blood test results were, but perhaps you could start with that. You may want to ask your doctor for a referral to a Hematologist. They will know how to advise you.

    Again, welcome to the group.

    Rocquie

     

  • Kpakka12
    Kpakka12 Member Posts: 3
    #3
    Rocquie said:

    Welcome

    K, welcome to the group. Please don't feel you need to apologize for asking questions. I am not sure why, but it does seem that many people have trouble getting a diagnosis/ruling out Lymphoma.

    You don't say what your abnormal blood test results were, but perhaps you could start with that. You may want to ask your doctor for a referral to a Hematologist. They will know how to advise you.

    Again, welcome to the group.

    Rocquie

     

    Thank you for the reply,

    Thank you for the reply, Rocquie. The dr was thinking the reason for my cough/loss of breath could be a blood clot and tested my blood to see how likely a clot was. Apparently that's what came back abnormal. I don't know exactly what she tested for (what the element in the blood is called) but it came back high so that's when they did the chest CT that came back normal. The ultrasound results came back normal this morning as well. I guess this is when I need to let it all go and just realize nothing is wrong but I don't feel well and the lump is still vdry much there. I don't want anything to be wrong but I just want something to be found so I can fix it. Is that wrong of me to think? I just feel defeated. I'm just so sorry to say these things. So many people are so sick and I just have a few symptoms so I should be so grateful that I'm not sick. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    Watch it

    Before diagnosis my main complaint was feeling always tired. Keep after it till you get an answer. Its probably not cancer but the risks are too great to not insist on a diagnosis. Since you trust your physician, tell him about your concerns and get referred to a \n oncologist for consultation. You are NOT a hypochondiac for being concerned.

  • Kpakka12
    Kpakka12 Member Posts: 3
    #5
    unknown said:

    Watch it

    Before diagnosis my main complaint was feeling always tired. Keep after it till you get an answer. Its probably not cancer but the risks are too great to not insist on a diagnosis. Since you trust your physician, tell him about your concerns and get referred to a \n oncologist for consultation. You are NOT a hypochondiac for being concerned.

    Thank you

    Thank you so much for the advice. I'm completely out of my element when it comes to asking for referrals and voicing my concerns. Obviously it's what has to be done but it makes me nervous. I'm sure it'll all work out though. Thank you again! Can I ask how you ended up getting diagnosed?  I hope you are doing well. 

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