It wasn't ovarian, it was lymphoma

[Ohjoyohbliss]

My original thread is nearly full, hence starting this one.

I knew I probably had cancer in late July 2025 but it took until the end of August to get a definitive diagnosis: Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, Stage 4.

I have had six rounds of chemo, the last of which was on 12 December. Had a lot of nausea and vomiting, plus an infection which left me hospitalised on oxygen and IV antibiotics for a while. I am extremely weak now, and waiting to find out whether the cancer is still active. (A scan at the half way point showed it was.)

Obviously things will be very different in 2026 and go one of two ways, depending on the scan result, which I will find out on Friday 16th January.

Previous thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/cancer/5382361-likely-ovarian-terrified-anyone-available-for-a-hand-hold

(Not sure why that takes you to the middle of the thread; sorry.)

Pity you couldn’t book an early evening meal out afterwards with a friend or other half to show off the makeover :) … but should be relaxing at least with hopefully a mini facial too?

I'm not sleeping particularly well at the moment, although I did get six hours solid last night. I need at least eight and when I was having the chemo, I was sleeping 10+ hours some nights (and not sleeping other nights.)

Have you heard of those “ Look good feel better” sessions @Ohjoyohbliss They are usually run my MacMillan/ beauty therapists ( not sure) They used to hand out a bag of freebies too, which was nice.

I’ve sparse lashes and brows, plus this weird grey “ fuzz” on my head. Can’t wait until it grows a bit ( although my latest chemo could cause hair thinning!

Good luck for the coming busy week 🤞

I saw something about those a little while ago but, when I looked into it, there wasn't one near me. It would be really difficult/expensive in taxi fares to get to one.

@Enigma54 Are you having more chemo?

Ak okay, that’s a pity as the sessions are quite good. I do think there should be more of these services available locally to people. It’s like the Maggies centres, which offer so much, but are located mostly in big cities.

Yes, ongoing chemo now. My tumour is as stubborn as they come. I’m most unimpressed, but alas, faith and hope and all that.

@Enigma54 Mine is too. My oncologist told me I can’t be on chemo forever. I still don’t see why I can’t have the tumor excised and esophagus sewn back together 😡🤷🏻‍♀️? This round seems pretty rough and the pain after granyx worse than usual. I gave in and took the pain meds prescribed. I love reading about the services available to you all. I’m thinking maybe the US has similar although we would have to research on our own time. Lots of pamphlets on the wall.

Busy week ahead but that's good. Far better than waiting and wondering what's going on. I don't have anything helpful to add, except we are all here for you.

What can you do during the collection? I'd worry I'd need a wee a hour in.

@NotPerfectlyAdverage

What can you do during the collection? I'd worry I'd need a wee a hour in.

Apparently it can take up to five hours and I can't go to the toilet during that time. But I'm supposed to make sure that I am well hydrated. Erm... how does that work? Bed pans are a possibility but it's a mixed sex unit.

If you have the tubes in your arms, you aren't supposed to move them. I don't know how it will work with a central line? Maybe my arms will be free. I need to make sure my ear buds are fully charged so at least I can listen to music or podcasts.

Oh my life. That sounds hard if not impossible to be well hydrated AND not use the loo....

Reminds me of my friend mistakenly rinking two litres of water for her 20 week scan. She almost didn't even make the journey to hospital without having a accident.

Would you use tena pants? God no dignity here but I used some during a bout of covid coughing. Not really needed but gave me peace of mind.

Slowly sipping water throughout would kerp you hydrated but after five hours, I'd personally still need a wee. But I have had 4 kids. So my own fault really

That sounds eek! I too would not be keen on mixed sex unit..if needing a wee even behind closed curtains.
Deffo don't forget to charge those earbuds!

Have you got a power bank and a decent lenght charging lead?

I hope all the appointments go okay this week OP. It sounds like a full time job without already being exhausted, and especially adding on sleeping badly too.

You can definitely move with central lines in, our icu patients are wandering the wards with physio. Your arms will be free regardless, neck lines are line mid-neck inserted. Haem often ask us for groin lines tbh. All the best x

It's not the line per se, it's that once I am hooked up to the apheresis machine, I can't leave it until it's done. It's not like being on a drip and being able to drag the stand around with me like when I was having chemo or on other IV fluids.

Will you be on a bed or sat in chair during the collection?

It's a huge reclining chair. Bigger than the ones where I had chemo.

Well, that was a waste of time and effort. My appointment was for 1pm. Arrived at 12.45, no staff around. Finally found one, to be told that the No 7 consultant (or whatever they call themselves) had just gone to lunch and wouldn't be back until 2pm.

The lady from the Clinique counter stepped into the breach and showed me some products, but she expected me to lead with what I wanted to see / try, whereas I thought a Macmillan consultation would be more guided by them. I'm not confident with skincare or makeup. It didn't help when she told me that she's no good with eyeshadow.

Also, she was the only staff member on the floor for the first half hour or so, so she had to keep breaking off to deal with other customers.

All in all, not the enjoyable and relaxing experience I was hoping for.

The No 7 lady arrived as I was leaving. I told her that I had an appointment at one. "Yes? OK." "At ONE." "Oh. The iPad isn't working. It's not my fault." "Well, it's certainly not mine." "I've reported it. It's not my fault, the system isn't working. I can do it now." No apology, no freebies, although the Clinique lady gave me a couple of perfume testers after I bought some items.

Honestly, it's a big effort (and the cost of taxis) to go into town and I wish I hadn't bothered.

How disappointing. Also shows complete lack of understanding of effort/ cost involved. I would have been really hacked off. Also,I am not a fan of the 'it wasn't my fault' type of excuse.
Perhaps the Clinique lady will have a word as well.
Hope today goes as well as can be.

That is really poor Joy. I hope you got something out of it for your efforts.

I got better eyebrows. Not confident I can do it myself though. Haven't tried today but might experiment tomorrow.

Today the clinic was running an hour late and then they said I should go for a scan, so we've had one long wait and now I'm waiting for the scan.

Radiotherapy will be five days a week for three weeks, starting 16/2. Yikes!

Yikes indeed. Though in my opinion,better eyebrows is a win! Mine are quite 'out there' have always been very low maintenance.
Sorry re the long wait..that can be exhausting enough!

I have a couple of friends who are great with make up,skin care,eyebrows etc! When one of them 'lost' their eyebrows I don't think anyone who didn't know would have noticed.