Weight Loss, Rash, Swollen Lymph Nodes

Kimberly there is no need to apologize, I hope you find answers quickly and that you're battling an infection.  Your symtoms would warrant seeing a hematologist oncologist to rule out lymphoma.

I have follicular NHL and it presented by a swollen lymph node  In my jaw. I won't get into all the details (at a track meet) but ultimately a biopsy was done and confirmed what I had.  Treatment soon followed and all is well.

Personally I would demand answers.  I had this ten years with no systems before it spread to multiple nodes making me stage IV.  So be your own advocate and good LUCK!!!!!  Feel free to ask any questions.  There are so many wonderful people who monitor this site.

Blessings to you!

Lymphoma is very treatable but hoping you will never find out!

I only had a lymph node which was being watched for breast cancer because its location during that time.  When I became systematic i.e...fatigue, itching, slight weight loss and sweats I had a two large nodes swell (one in my jaw and one under my arm next to my breast) everything changed.

I'm fine today, not perfect but good enough :-)

Blessings to you!

Kimberly,

Your symptoms point more heavily toward lymphoma than any form of infection, in my view.  Low-normal WBC rate, enlarged nodes all over, serious fatigue, itching. Loss of 30% of your body weight. Together, this more strongly suggests lymphoma than any form of infection. A 150 pound person on a high-calorie diet losing 50 pounds, by itself, demands cancer testing.

Your GP is "vague and doesn't offer much information" because she doesn't know what is wrong with you. Family doctors do not commonly encounter cancer, and assume simple problems until proven otherwise.  I had to suggest "prostate cancer" to my family doctor until I gave up with him and went to a urologist, who in the first two minutes suggested I get a biopsy, and learned that I had in fact Stage II prostate cancer.

This site is full of patients who were told they had "an infection," which ended up being lymphoma.   Schedule to see a medical oncologist on Monday (not a radiation oncologist, but a medical oncologist).  Don't let your current doctor "antibiotic you to death."   Her stating to you that you have "enlarged nodes all over" without immediately ordering a CT is irresponsible, in my view.

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Stay positive

Vincevette78 said:

What I thought was a hernia

What I thought was a hernia in my groin turned out to be a lymph node that was swollen. I had felt it around the end on Januar 2016. Like most guys I put it off again thinking it was a hernia. Fast forward to March.. Took a trip to the keys with my girl friend and after driving 2 hours we stopped for a break. When I got out of the truck my left leg was swollen from my knee to my foot. I had no pain just swelling. I put my leg up once we got to the rv park and figured i would get it check when I got home. I called my doctor and they fit me in that day. Well after he examined me he said it's not a hernia. Its to hard and you would be standing on top the table from all the pressure I applied. He sent me for an ultrasound and a ct scan. Them for a biopsy. Then I heard the words that we never want to hear. You have Cancer. I have always been a very strong person and I never give up. That's just the way I was brought up. I found a great oncologist in town who is a 30 year surviver of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He told us that I have Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and how we were going to treat it. I just had a pet scan 2 weeks ago. When we meet the doctor for my follow up, he said the pet scan came back with no signs of cancer except from around the biopsy. Then said he wanted to do a bone Marrow biopsy. Had thatdone yesterday. If the test comes back good then 4 months of chemo with radiation to the spot where the biopsy was. If not 6 months. I already have the port in. I try to stay stong and keep the faith, as y'all know it's  overwhelming at times. 

I'm 57 and very active. I enjoy kayaking.biking and I race motocross. I have my own business with 2 of my sons working alongside of me. I know they can pick up the slack, I'm just not sure how this will effect my life. Do I need to slow down and change my life or just keep on the same path. I've talked to friends, but none of them has had cancer. I'm just looking for answers from people have gone thro the same thing. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and pray for all of you as well. Vince

Everyone welcoms you to this Board, Vince -- my son's name.

To get a feel for what you are likely to experience, please specify what strain of non-Hodgkins you have (there are over 30 different types of non-Hodgkins lymphpoma), and what chemo drugs you are slated for.

Since your PET showed only lymphoma in the pelvic area, your staging depends on the bone marrow result. If positive, you are by definition Stage 4; if no bone involvement, likely a Stage 2, possibly Stage 1.   Radiation against lymphoma is ordinarily used only in early stage disease, so since your oncologist is planning radiation thus far, hopefully that indicates that he believes you to be early stage (1 or 2).

This is a total guess, but most NHL patients begin chem with a drug combination called "CHOP."  Each letter stands for a different drug in the combination. 

Update us with your STRAIN and the DRUGS planned, and people can better assist you with specifics on what you might encounter over the next four or six months.

Know that lymphpoma is one of the most treatable of cancers, and most strains have excellent prognosis and outcomes.  It is a good thing that you are an active person, and that you got to a good doctor fast.  Keep your spirit high.  Thank you for your extension of prayer.

PS -- Since this was Kimberly's "thread," or discussion line, you may want to start a new topic when you write again, so that your discussion will be in one place.

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