Biopsy this next week

cansur18 said:

Congrats on your positive approach

I'm new to this community. Just read your post. Yes, it is scary. Thanks G-D it is treatable. I currenty have no cancer after having had a bone marrow transplant. However, having had lymphoma in 2015 and its return Feb. 2020, having had the biopsy's done helped set me in the right direction. We are not alone. Wishing you a speedy recovery and keep going forward.

 

cansur
Thank you for your positive title and encouraging words 

Hello All,

I'll be having my biopsy in the morning. I finished my antibiotic for infection on Thursday. I'm still very tired and lacking strength.  But I am eating. So that's a positive. I'm not scared I just want it over.  Please keep me in your positive thoughts and or prayers. 
Thank You

GG

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Wellkommen !

I wish to welcome you here also, GG.

I was diagnosed in 2009 with highly advanced HL, and was 'clean' until about two weeks ago....damn the bad luck.  I have also had prostate cancer.

Shady, Po, and perhaps others discussed biopsies above specifically for Hematologic (blood) cancers.  The hematologic cancers are of course Leukemia, lymphoma, and Multiple Myeloma.  All are closely related, and one disease can fairly readily morph into another, but the most common transition (by far) is for lymphoma becoming a leukemia.

I just had my latest biopsy 12 days ago.  My surgeon stressed that the pathologists insist on a complete node today, and repeated that aspirational biopsies ('needle draws') are pretty close to worthless, although in some cases aspirational must be settled for, at least temporarily.

MY pathology group says on their website that most results are to the doctor 'withn 24 to 48 hours.'    I am now in Day 12 of waiting.....    I called pathology directly, and they said that due to the complexity of my node (and my previous diagnosis with a rare HL), they have sent my sample across the country to a facility that they use for second opinions.   I was told yesterday that I may have an additional wait of two weeks, for 'technical reasons'  (probably some people are on vacation).     So, in stead of a 24 hour wait, I am in a 25 DAY wait.   It just happens.

You must drive your care: become informed.  Think of cancer treatment as a drive-thru.  If you are asked to pull over and wait, and do not get anything for ten minutes, go inside and ask.  Most likely, they forgot you were there, or gave your stuff to someone else.  Ask questions, including 'stupid' ones, because if you have an odd question, it is probably because you were told idiotic, wrong stuff in the office to begin with. 

I had a dear friend dying of his 13 year battle with prostate cancer in 2012.  He was admitted as an inpatient for a week, due to horrible blood counts.  I went to pick him up, and asked the discharge nurse "if any of his meds would affect his cancer drugs."  She replied, "I have no indication on his chart that he HAS cancer."   I told her that the very hospital that we were standing in had treated him for PCa for 13 years.   I myself have a Board Certified pulmonologist for lung damage and shortness of breath.  He told me to my face five years ago that my lung fibrosis was from stomach acid, not Bleomycin, which is a drug that can cause fibrosis in limited cases (round 2%).   I had a CT two weeks ago, and the Radiologist wrote that, because my fibrosis is stable (has not changed), it must be from the massive chest trauma that I underwnet decades ago.   I was speaking to my pulmonologist about that report over the phone last week, and asked him a question; I could hear him reviewing his notes, and he said "fibrotic involvement due to Bleomycin treatments.'   I did not even challange him about it -- it is a moot point at this point.  He does  not even remeber his own diagnosis of me a few years earlier.   

The only point is that in a hospital, Nothing is impossible.  Get clarification.  Always ask for OPTIONS, which actually, oncologists are usually pretty willing to discuss and involve the patient in.

 

Good luck to you,

 

Hi Max

thank you for your welcome and all your knowledge.  You've been through it all it seems. I agree about asking questions no matter how silly it may seem.  My biopsy was needle I believe I counted 5 or so clicks. Pathologist was there to verify lymph nodes tissues.  I had a breast biopsy years back which ended up being benign. 
My hubby has pulmonary fibrosis as well. Also heart, and diabetes.  I'm his care giver. It's like the blind leading the blind here. But we're managing just fine. 
I most certainly send you my positive thoughts and prayers for your results. You indeed have had more than your share. 
I was also told that my samples may go out to different hospitals. I have an appointment next with with my oncologist.  
i apprecrate all your knowledge, thank you

GG

Confusing22 said:

Similar situation

I had swollen lymph nodes everywhere including groin, severe exhaustion, low grade fever, no appetitie, night sweats and weight loss. Felt so awful went to ER. Blood work came back low white blood count, neutropenic. They did a CAT scan with dye of pelvis found nothing sent me home told me to see an hematolgist. He sent me for a chest, pelvic, abdomen CAT scan with dye - came back multiple enlarged - particularly axillary nodes one 18mm in size - which is not huge. Had mammogram, and sonogram and they found nodes with thickened cortex so did a needle core biopsy - 3 punches. Came back clear. But I'm still tired, weak and feel "heavy" at night (hard to turn over so tired). Still not hungry. They are making me come back in 6 weeks for more blood work and consider taking out a node to look at the whole thing. Dr's seem to be praying attention but not able to figure out what's wrong

.

hi Confusing, 

Im sorry that your going through this.  I did have my biopsy on this past Monday, also needle with at least 5 clicks or punches as you called them. I felt pretty good this am when I got up. After lunch I became extremely tired again. Went on the bed a couple hours.  I also lost my appetite the beginning of the month that lasted a couple weeks.  I had no fever except for one morning low grade. No night sweats. I haven had huge amount of weight loss just 8 lbs. But Iam eating but at a certain point I can't eat anymore. Oncoligist said my spleen was slightly enlarged so that's probably why.  I go to Oncologist Nov 2 for results. I'm prepared for the worst but hoping for the best. I just want it bombarded if it's Lymphoma/leukemia 

I know how frustrating this can be but we must hang in there and support one another

thank you

GG

Hi All

I had my appointment this morning. Diagnosis CLL/SLL. I'm scheduled for pet scan which they'll call and make appointment.  Also waiting for FISH biopsy.  All lab was good.  Treatment depending on the later.  Otherwise it's monitoring every 3 months. 
That's it for today. I'm concentrating on all the positives the doctor talked to me about. 

Be well

GG

FLmama said:

{{hugs}}

I am sorry- but if only monitoring, that sounds positive! How are you holding up?

Hi FLmama

I'm holding up pretty good. I'm focusing on the positives. Need the pet CT and the rest of the biopsy results.  Once all the testing is done then plan of action will be decided.  I said to him can't they just bombard the F----r.  He chuckled and said this may be a monitoring every 3 months with no treatment at this time.  He thinks I may have had this for sometime.  Which I've read that as well. I've been pretty healthy the past few years with the exception of getting a cold/virus 2-3 years ago which I did bring to the attention of my GP my swollen glands by my collar bone.  But I got better swelling went down. That was that.  He asked me about having night sweats where I need to change PJ's and sheets, I said No, what about a fever of 101+ I said No, what about losing 10% of my body weight I said No. I told him I'm getting some energy back so that I'm able to get some things done around the house. But I still have bouts of being tired. Also currently some constipation. Which I'm taking colace for that. I asked him if coloring my hair all these years could have made me sick.  He chuckled and said No.  

He said I'm not going to tell you don't worry because I know you will, but don't lose any sleep over it.  
So for today that's what I know.  I will continue to put one foot in front of the other get the testing that is needed done.  Then take it from there.  
My biopsy tests have already had second opinions which they concur with diagnosis. 

Hugs to you my warrior

GG