Can any of you share what your symptoms were prior to diagnosis?

1356

Comments

  • Maggz
    Maggz Member Posts: 2
    #42
    My early NHL symptoms
    I was diagnosed in July of 2001. Five years prior, I had had a benign tumor removed from my right salivary gland (the gland was also removed) so one day when I noticed a lump under my jaw line, I was suspicious. I went to the doctor and she agreed that there was nothing there that should be a lump since the salivary gland was gone. She also felt a lump on my thyroid so I was referred to a surgeon. I had no pain and no discomfort. Just the lump. After a biopsy came back inconclusive, I was scheduled for surgery. That confirmed the malignant tumor and I was referred to an oncologist. Never did have any pain and to this day, I have a hard time thinking of myself as having survived anything drastic. I was never "sick" so how could it possibly be anything serious??! I feel like a nothing compared to those who suffered through breast cancer, colon cancer, etc. But I'm glad that I found the lump early and was pain-free throughout.
  • UcanDOit
    UcanDOit Member Posts: 3
    #43
    HL symptoms
    The only symptom (didn't realize it until waaay later) was extremely itchy legs. I was running 4 miles x4 day each week, no problems. But, my severely itchy legs went on for three years. I would literally claw at them and never slept more than 3 hours a night. I went for annual physicals and each time my Dr. just gave me some cortisone cream and blew me off.

    Finally found a massive tumor by accident when they xrayed my L shoulder cuz I dinged it playing raquetball. The xray tech 'goofed' and shot too wide a pix and that's how they found the tumor. Hodgkin's, stage IV....25 years ago.

    Thank you God and family!!!
  • kathymarsico
    kathymarsico Member Posts: 1
    #44
    UcanDOit said:

    HL symptoms
    The only symptom (didn't realize it until waaay later) was extremely itchy legs. I was running 4 miles x4 day each week, no problems. But, my severely itchy legs went on for three years. I would literally claw at them and never slept more than 3 hours a night. I went for annual physicals and each time my Dr. just gave me some cortisone cream and blew me off.

    Finally found a massive tumor by accident when they xrayed my L shoulder cuz I dinged it playing raquetball. The xray tech 'goofed' and shot too wide a pix and that's how they found the tumor. Hodgkin's, stage IV....25 years ago.

    Thank you God and family!!!

    UcanDOit-I dont think the
    UcanDOit-
    I dont think the xray tech goofed, sounds like the hand of God at work! Good to hear you are healthy this many years after diagnosis.

    I am 3 1/2 years into remission from NH Large B Cell mediastinal. Itched so badly my husband compared me to a mangy dog. I scratched until I bled. Had a non productive cough for 6 months. My face swelled so bad that my eyelids hung over my eyes - found out later that was Superior Vena Cava syndrom, where the tumor was pressing so hard against the SVC that it was reducing blood flow causing the swelling. I was stubborn, thought I was "just tired" until my beathing got so bad I could not walk across a small room without stopping to take a breath.

    Finally went to the doctor (I had not been to a doctor in years, and always hated hypochondriacs) and he sent me for a chest xray. Found out that day that although they still wanted to do a biopsy that they were pretty sure it was cancer. Just needed the follow up to find out what kind. 7 cycles of R CHOP chemo, 31 days of radiation, and I thank God everyday for my life, and that it was me and not someone I loved that had to go through this.

    My husband lost his job and our health insurance while I was going through treatments, but he took another job with a massive pay cut just for insurance coverage. Anyone who can say that Health care reform is not necessary has never been through a devestating illness. With all my treatments, I was septic twice and also had a few instances of passing out so there were five different hospital stays.

    I am now a much more compassionate person. And I never miss my doctor appointments, with ANY of my doctors! Just had a scare from my recent scan 3 weeks ago, but a biopsy turned out benign, so I am very happy! Now his company is getting ready to close its doors, so time to find another health care coverage....
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #45
    UcanDOit said:

    HL symptoms
    The only symptom (didn't realize it until waaay later) was extremely itchy legs. I was running 4 miles x4 day each week, no problems. But, my severely itchy legs went on for three years. I would literally claw at them and never slept more than 3 hours a night. I went for annual physicals and each time my Dr. just gave me some cortisone cream and blew me off.

    Finally found a massive tumor by accident when they xrayed my L shoulder cuz I dinged it playing raquetball. The xray tech 'goofed' and shot too wide a pix and that's how they found the tumor. Hodgkin's, stage IV....25 years ago.

    Thank you God and family!!!

    SYMTOMS
    I was diagnosed in April 2010 with follicular nhl. I had a ct scan to in Jan.to routinely check my bladder and kidneys for any abnormalities during a urology exam. All came back negative except several enlarged lymph nodes in my abdominal area. I never had any symtoms at all. I was sent to the oncology center and was diagnosed. stage 4 follicular. I was on the watch and wait thing until June 2010 and started R-cvp. I had one round so far. 5 more to go. Had some muscle and lower back soreness.
    What is your exact diagnoses? John
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #46
    Which_Way_Back said:

    What life I have left....Stage 4 NHL
    For me I had a tremendous amout of fatigue. One year i ran a fever of 105 for a week and didnt go to the hospital till I became unaware of what was going on around me. Couldnt eat I laid in tub for a while trying to manage the fever even went outside as the temp was 10degrees that year nothing worked. Upon arriving at the hospital after finding out I had no insurance they gave me a pain med and antibiotics and sent me off saying it was a bladder infection. so around 4 years later Im playing with my kids chasing them in the house I get to the 4th step and I stop only to not move anymore I tell my sons mother I need to goto the ER. She looks at me and says the ER? She knows I never go to the hospital. So I get there "different hospital than the first time" running fever of 105 again thy gave same diagnosement took my gal bladder and sent me home. Still running fever still fatigued. I return to hospital and am hospitalized for 28 days I laid in ice to try and control fever on that 28th I was giving the outcome. No pain ever can compare yet so much pain came from worrying about my children. so I fought wasnt going to but, thought of how selfish I would be if I didnt. Yet they still were gonna let me die no oncologist would come see me because of no insurance coverage but my girl found a way and I owe her what life I have left.

    HOW ARE THINGS GOING?
    I haven't seen any posts from you lately. How are things going for you? What was your diagnoses exactly? Mine was follicular nhl stage 4. My tumors are located in the abdomen, but the chemo is shrinking them quickly. Just hope it continues that way. I have only had one round and it is kicking my butt. I know it feels like we are not going to make it sometimes, but when you read some of the posts here it does give you a lot of hope. They have come a long way in the past few years with this stuff it seems. Hang in there we are here to help each other. John
  • TheMWord
    TheMWord Member Posts: 23
    #47
    COBRA666 said:

    SYMTOMS
    I was diagnosed in April 2010 with follicular nhl. I had a ct scan to in Jan.to routinely check my bladder and kidneys for any abnormalities during a urology exam. All came back negative except several enlarged lymph nodes in my abdominal area. I never had any symtoms at all. I was sent to the oncology center and was diagnosed. stage 4 follicular. I was on the watch and wait thing until June 2010 and started R-cvp. I had one round so far. 5 more to go. Had some muscle and lower back soreness.
    What is your exact diagnoses? John

    I had common symptoms
    I had Hodgkin's, and the symptoms are pretty much the same I guess. Severe itching (particularly on my legs) night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, cough, and poor immune system. I got sick about twice a month for over 4 months before I was diagnosed. I also had a tumor the size of a golf ball in my neck, and a bunch of other small ones all over.
  • greg814
    greg814 Member Posts: 1
    #48
    MountainClimber said:

    Symptoms
    Hi, I'm new to this board.

    I've been diagnosed with non-Hodkins L three times since 2001. The first time, I was suffering from what the doctor thought was tennis elbow in both arms. A week or two later, the pain extended the entire length of both arms. There was a mass in my clavicular area that was pressing on the brachio-ulnar nerve, which turned out to be lymphoma.

    The second diagnosis came after a routine follow-up CT. There were no symptoms of any kind.

    The third time (a year ago), one of my knees was swollen/painful. After CT, MRI, x-ray & PET scan & biopsy, they found that I had lymphoma in one of my vertebra.

    HL Symptons
    I am new here and just reading up on Hodkins and I learned alot from you all. Two months ago I noticed a large growth in the clavical area. My doctor sent me for an MRI and xrays. They determined their is a mass in the lungs and swallon Lymphs. I have extreme pain in both elbows and swollen knees. My spleen has also been detected as inlarged. So many doctors and appointments until I found one that knows what they are talking about. I am still under going test and a bit scared. I am 47 and have five children and dont know what to exspect next. It is a week away until my next appointment at Mount Signi Hospital Cancer Unit in NYC.
  • paulaandersen
    paulaandersen Member Posts: 6
    #49
    TheMWord said:

    I had common symptoms
    I had Hodgkin's, and the symptoms are pretty much the same I guess. Severe itching (particularly on my legs) night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, cough, and poor immune system. I got sick about twice a month for over 4 months before I was diagnosed. I also had a tumor the size of a golf ball in my neck, and a bunch of other small ones all over.

    NON-HODGKINS SURVIVOR
    I was diagnosed in 2005 after going to my doctor for a plugged up ear. First, he put me on antibiotics for 10 days and told me I had fluid behind the ears. When that didn't work, he gave me Benedryl for a week. Finally, he sent me to an ENT, who found a tumor in the back of my throat. After many tests, they found I had an aggressive tumor in my nasel pharnyx and two in my neck. The tumor in my nose was causing my ear to plug and not allowing it to drain. I was stage II Large B-Cell and underwent 6 rounds of chemotherapy followed by 22 radiation treatments. It has been 5 years now and I am still cancer-free. When I think back to other possible symptoms, and did itch alot and had night sweats and loss of appetite, but never related it to being anything, especially cancer.
  • Gene Garlin
    Gene Garlin Member Posts: 3
    #50
    Early symtoms
    Joint pain, night sweats, very weak, low grade temperatures, lost 30 pounds.
  • webozo
    webozo Member Posts: 82 Member
    #51
    jackie had night sweats had
    jackie had night sweats had trouble breathing (she thought she was getting asthma) she also so had itching very bad itching she would scratch untill she bleed. the breathing was from the bigger turmor pushing on her lung she also would get light headed to the point of fainting. she had trouble sleeping. i don't know if this helps. jackie has hogkins.
  • truckingalong
    truckingalong Member Posts: 445 Member
    #52
    Jewel41510 said:

    With me I put it off and put
    With me I put it off and put it off until I couldn't ignore the pile of symptoms that had built up.

    I itched like crazy, it would wake me up and I would scratch until I scabbed - pretty intense.

    I lost about 30 lbs in a 6-8 month span without any effort

    I was always tired, kept up from the itching I thought

    Night sweats not soaking just overly warm always

    Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

    Not everyones symptoms are the same, and some have no symptoms at all.
    Hope I was of some help. Sending well wishes your way.
    Joleen

    Mystery Woman
    Yes - similiar symptoms as Joleen's. A year ago - first had itching then swollen nodes around the neck - was given antibiotics and they became smaller but still there. Then wintertime I was low in vitamins so got B-12 injections and supplements. My energy came back but later would have about once a month fatigue attacks. I lost about 30 lbs thinking that I suddenly became allergic to foods... Dr. called me mystery woman cuz she could not figure out what I have!! Three months later, she finally ordered me biopsy of the node and bingo, I have Hodgkins. My initial reaction was anger toward dr but am glad that I know what is wrong with me and people now realize I am not a hypochondriac! Will have PET and CAT scan next Monday. I am amazed how you and everyone survives such and fighting back. Please pray for me!!

    Thanks,
    Liz
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #53
    truckingalong said:

    Mystery Woman
    Yes - similiar symptoms as Joleen's. A year ago - first had itching then swollen nodes around the neck - was given antibiotics and they became smaller but still there. Then wintertime I was low in vitamins so got B-12 injections and supplements. My energy came back but later would have about once a month fatigue attacks. I lost about 30 lbs thinking that I suddenly became allergic to foods... Dr. called me mystery woman cuz she could not figure out what I have!! Three months later, she finally ordered me biopsy of the node and bingo, I have Hodgkins. My initial reaction was anger toward dr but am glad that I know what is wrong with me and people now realize I am not a hypochondriac! Will have PET and CAT scan next Monday. I am amazed how you and everyone survives such and fighting back. Please pray for me!!

    Thanks,
    Liz

    MYSTERY WOMAM
    Liz
    We will pray for you. It is a scary thing to hear the word CANCER. I do not know how old you are, but it is not like it was years ago with this disease and we would hear that word. It is still not easy to deal with none the less. As you find out what we have and discuss on this site is very treatable. It is a pain in the **** with the treatments to control it though. Most of us have started treatments or finished them and some are waiting to begin treatment. We are pillars of strenght to each other here. I am sure if you are like me you have wore your computer out searching for answers. Just be careful with what you read. A lot of the info on some of these sites are way outdated. Some have some good info. You just have to learn which ones to rely on. I think your best source of info will come from the people here. They have or will go thru what you are talking about. John
  • truckingalong
    truckingalong Member Posts: 445 Member
    #54
    COBRA666 said:

    MYSTERY WOMAM
    Liz
    We will pray for you. It is a scary thing to hear the word CANCER. I do not know how old you are, but it is not like it was years ago with this disease and we would hear that word. It is still not easy to deal with none the less. As you find out what we have and discuss on this site is very treatable. It is a pain in the **** with the treatments to control it though. Most of us have started treatments or finished them and some are waiting to begin treatment. We are pillars of strenght to each other here. I am sure if you are like me you have wore your computer out searching for answers. Just be careful with what you read. A lot of the info on some of these sites are way outdated. Some have some good info. You just have to learn which ones to rely on. I think your best source of info will come from the people here. They have or will go thru what you are talking about. John

    Mystery Woman
    Thanks, John for helpful tips. I found out about my diagnosis 4 days ago. My mind is exploding with questions and I know I gotta take one thing at a time. I say to myself wow I have cancer - I am 53 - yes, I am taking in a lot of strength and hope from people here and am happy to know about this site. I do look forward to a new and meaningful journey. Liz
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #55
    truckingalong said:

    Mystery Woman
    Thanks, John for helpful tips. I found out about my diagnosis 4 days ago. My mind is exploding with questions and I know I gotta take one thing at a time. I say to myself wow I have cancer - I am 53 - yes, I am taking in a lot of strength and hope from people here and am happy to know about this site. I do look forward to a new and meaningful journey. Liz

    MYSTERY WOMAM
    Liz,
    Believe me I know exactly what you are going thru. I did not know what to do when I was diagnosed a few months ago. I searched every site on the computer. That was a bad idea, but I didn't know what else to do at the time. Those sites are statistics and statistics only. and they may never pertain to you. Everybody is different with this disease. It took me a month to find this site and it was just by accident. I tell you I was a mess for that month. You will never feel as alone again in your life. There are at least 66,000 cases of nhl diagnosed every year. Thats the ones that are diagnosed. At least that many go undetected. I get a lot of my info from the cancer center where I go in North Carolina. It sounds crazy,but if we must have cancer and 1 out of 6 people will sometime in their life have it,this is the one to have from what I hear. It is a common cancer and very treatable. Stick with us and we will try to walk you thru it as best as we can. John
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #56
    truckingalong said:

    Mystery Woman
    Thanks, John for helpful tips. I found out about my diagnosis 4 days ago. My mind is exploding with questions and I know I gotta take one thing at a time. I say to myself wow I have cancer - I am 53 - yes, I am taking in a lot of strength and hope from people here and am happy to know about this site. I do look forward to a new and meaningful journey. Liz

    MYSTERY WOMAM
    Liz,
    Believe me I know exactly what you are going thru. I did not know what to do when I was diagnosed a few months ago. I searched every site on the computer. That was a bad idea, but I didn't know what else to do at the time. Those sites are statistics and statistics only. and they may never pertain to you. Everybody is different with this disease. It took me a month to find this site and it was just by accident. I tell you I was a mess for that month. You will never feel as alone again in your life. There are at least 66,000 cases of nhl diagnosed every year. Thats the ones that are diagnosed. At least that many go undetected. I get a lot of my info from the cancer center where I go in North Carolina. It sounds crazy,but if we must have cancer and 1 out of 6 people will sometime in their life have it,this is the one to have from what I hear. It is a common cancer and very treatable. Stick with us and we will try to walk you thru it as best as we can. John
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #57
    truckingalong said:

    Mystery Woman
    Thanks, John for helpful tips. I found out about my diagnosis 4 days ago. My mind is exploding with questions and I know I gotta take one thing at a time. I say to myself wow I have cancer - I am 53 - yes, I am taking in a lot of strength and hope from people here and am happy to know about this site. I do look forward to a new and meaningful journey. Liz

    MYSTERY WOMAM
    Liz,
    Believe me I know exactly what you are going thru. I did not know what to do when I was diagnosed a few months ago. I searched every site on the computer. That was a bad idea, but I didn't know what else to do at the time. Those sites are statistics and statistics only. and they may never pertain to you. Everybody is different with this disease. It took me a month to find this site and it was just by accident. I tell you I was a mess for that month. You will never feel as alone again in your life. There are at least 66,000 cases of nhl diagnosed every year. Thats the ones that are diagnosed. At least that many go undetected. I get a lot of my info from the cancer center where I go in North Carolina. It sounds crazy,but if we must have cancer and 1 out of 6 people will sometime in their life have it,this is the one to have from what I hear. It is a common cancer and very treatable. Stick with us and we will try to walk you thru it as best as we can. John
  • gypsy22
    gypsy22 Member Posts: 17
    #58
    webozo said:

    jackie had night sweats had
    jackie had night sweats had trouble breathing (she thought she was getting asthma) she also so had itching very bad itching she would scratch untill she bleed. the breathing was from the bigger turmor pushing on her lung she also would get light headed to the point of fainting. she had trouble sleeping. i don't know if this helps. jackie has hogkins.

    No real symptoms
    My mom had a bit of discomfort in her abdomen. All tests came back negative and she was then asked to take part in a new dye for ultrasound testing and that is how they saw the mass in her liver. Now 5 rounds of R-CHOP are in the books.
  • forme
    forme Member Posts: 1,161 Member
    #59
    moftexas said:

    No symptoms
    I had absolutely no symptoms. I went in for an annual healthy physical, and my doctor felt my spleen was enlarged, so off to get a CT scan. Turns out I had stage 4A follicular NHL. Talk about denial - no way I could have so much disease in me and not feel bad!

    Few symptoms
    Hi, I am new to this site. I also have enlarged spleen and liver. Very Very tired. Full feeling after small meal. Enlarged node/small mass in mediastinum area found by ct. My pcp wants me to do nothing. Maybe get a Pet scan in a few months. I am trying to find a hematologist to do the scan now. I have had some low grade fevers and some mild night sweats with the a/c running full blast. Also had severe pain in chest with breathing in June. This is why ct was done. Never found out what caused the pain. Lasted about a month using big dose narcotics. Dr from the hospital where I had the ct called a few weeks later and wanted to know how my lymphoma workup was going. That was the first time I had heard about lymphoma from any Dr. My PCP still wants me to wait and do nothing. My husband and I think we should not wait. I really just don't feel right. How did the Dr know about lymphoma with only a ct showing enlarged spleen. Did they do any other testing. I just know something is off with me and that waiting is the wrong answer. Thanks so much for any advice.
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #60
    forme said:

    Few symptoms
    Hi, I am new to this site. I also have enlarged spleen and liver. Very Very tired. Full feeling after small meal. Enlarged node/small mass in mediastinum area found by ct. My pcp wants me to do nothing. Maybe get a Pet scan in a few months. I am trying to find a hematologist to do the scan now. I have had some low grade fevers and some mild night sweats with the a/c running full blast. Also had severe pain in chest with breathing in June. This is why ct was done. Never found out what caused the pain. Lasted about a month using big dose narcotics. Dr from the hospital where I had the ct called a few weeks later and wanted to know how my lymphoma workup was going. That was the first time I had heard about lymphoma from any Dr. My PCP still wants me to wait and do nothing. My husband and I think we should not wait. I really just don't feel right. How did the Dr know about lymphoma with only a ct showing enlarged spleen. Did they do any other testing. I just know something is off with me and that waiting is the wrong answer. Thanks so much for any advice.

    FEW SYMTOMS
    FORME,
    FIRST OF ALL WELCOME TO THE SITE. IT IS LIKE ONE BIG FAMILY HERE. NEXT, LET ME SAY IT GENTLY. YOUR PCP IS AN A**HOLE. YOU HAVE THE CLASSIC SYMTOMS OF LYMPHOMA. ANY DR. WITH HALF A BRAIN SHOULD SEE THAT. I DO NOT THINK THEY CAN TELL JUST FROM AN ENLARGED SPLEEN AND LIVER IF YOU HAVE LYMPHOMA OR NOT, BUT AN ENLARGED SPLEEN AND LIVER IN ITSELF IS NOT NORMAL. A CT SCAN WILL SEE ANY ENLARGED LYMPH NODES AND IT DID SEE A FEW.I AM SURE THEY SAW SOMETHING FOR HIM TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT. THE LYMPH NODES IS WHAT I SUSPECT. I DON'T KNOW WHY THESE HALF WITTED DRS. ALWAYS PASS THIS STUFF OFF AS SOMETHING ELSE THAT COULD BE CAUSING THESE SYMTOMS. LYMPHOMA IS NOT A RARE DISEASE. 66,000 PEOPLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED THIS YEAR WITH IT. IT IS TREATABLE,BUT ONLY IF IT IS TREATED. IF NOT IT CAN BE DEADLY,JUST LIKE ANY DISEASE IF LEFT UNTREATED. BY ALL MEANS HAVE IT CHECKED FARTHER. YOU ARE PAYING THE DR. TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. HE IS NOT PAYING YOU TO COME AND SEE HIM. IT TICKS ME OFF WHEN I HEAR ABOUT THESE DRS. THAT HAVE THAT WHOLLIER THAN THOU ATTITUDE. SORRY ABOUT GETTING UP ON THE SOAPBOX,BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING. REMEMBER WHEN YOU LEAVE THE DRS OFFICE HE JUST GOES TO THE DOOR AND YELLS"NEXT". YOU ON THE OTHER HAND HAVE TO GO HOME WITH THE PAIN SUFFERING TO DEAL WITH. BELIEVE ME, IF IT WAS HIM OR HIS FAMILY THEY WOULD BE CHECKED FROM HEAD TO TOE.
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #61
    forme said:

    Few symptoms
    Hi, I am new to this site. I also have enlarged spleen and liver. Very Very tired. Full feeling after small meal. Enlarged node/small mass in mediastinum area found by ct. My pcp wants me to do nothing. Maybe get a Pet scan in a few months. I am trying to find a hematologist to do the scan now. I have had some low grade fevers and some mild night sweats with the a/c running full blast. Also had severe pain in chest with breathing in June. This is why ct was done. Never found out what caused the pain. Lasted about a month using big dose narcotics. Dr from the hospital where I had the ct called a few weeks later and wanted to know how my lymphoma workup was going. That was the first time I had heard about lymphoma from any Dr. My PCP still wants me to wait and do nothing. My husband and I think we should not wait. I really just don't feel right. How did the Dr know about lymphoma with only a ct showing enlarged spleen. Did they do any other testing. I just know something is off with me and that waiting is the wrong answer. Thanks so much for any advice.

    Absolutely get this checked out!
    Hi forme...
    I joined this site on July 8th-10, after being diagnosed with Follicular NHL on June 16th-10, so I too am fairly new here. John is absolutely right telling you to get this checked out. In Jan of this year I found a tiny lump on the left side of my neck and then a few weeks later I found another lump on the left side of my groin. My PCP sent me immediately for an ultra sound on the groin lump because it was bigger than the one on my neck. The results showed enlarged lymph glands plus 3 lumps. My PCP decided we would wait until my physical in May to re-check the lumps because I was feeling great and had no outward symptoms to raise concern. Plus, I had just gotten over a bad bout with bronchitis and we thought maybe the lymph glands were swollen due to medications I had been put on to get over that. Come May 25th...(time for my physical), I knowticed the lump on my groin had grown. Once again my PCP sent me in for a new ultra sound and low and behold the 3 prior lumps had not only grown, but 3 more had developed. Two days later I had a CT-scan which showed 6 tumors in my groin...swollen lymph nodes and lumps in the back of my stomach and 3 lumps in my neck, not just the tiny one I had felt in January. That was when my doctor first mentioned the possibility of lymphoma. He immediately scheduled me for a biopsy of one of my groin tumors(the largest of all lumps) which confirmed I had Follicular NHL...stage 3....Type A(un-symptomatic)...Grade 2/low. PCP immediately...(with-in 5 days of the groin biopsy results) had me scheduled to see a cancer doctor at our local cancer center. My cancer doctor scheduled a bone biopsy which showed no involvement in the bone as of yet. From May 25th to now, there has been alot of waiting for test results which can be "VERY" stressful, but I am soooo thankful to have a PCP that jumped on this from the moment he felt things weren't right with me...(lumps). I am currently in a "Watchful Waiting" time period and not receiving any form of treatment, and won't until the cancer involves the bone, or some other part of my body, or I start having B symptoms. This is a weird period of time for me, because I always wonder..."Where is it going and when"?? Anyways...please pursue further diagnosis even if it means finding a new PCP. John is 100% correct when he says.."If it was the doctors family member, he would have them checked out from head to toe"!! YOU should be treated no differently! Let us know how it goes for you.
    Sue

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