Lymph node

[littlebilliie]

Last year I had bowel cancer and chemo. I had a clear colonoscopy after a year and following a scan in July they rang to say today they can see an enlarged lymph node deep in my body. Pet scan in next two weeks.

im struggling to process this

Think positive! if it is something they have caught it early but it may be nothing. It's a difficult time waiting to hear but you know that's why its a cancer journey. Just take care of yourself as best you can. There are lots of cancer charities who offer support if you need it. X

i know there are charities 🙄 are you asking me to take my worries elsewhere. I have to say I am a long time cancer sufferer and never suggested on all my supportive posts to other posters to toddle off elsewhere. I though that was the point of these forums

@littlebilliiesorry to hear your worries about a swollen lymph node. I hope you get the all clear after your PET scan but the wait must be very hard. Have you been told how long it will take to get your results? I don’t know much about bowel cancer, mine was in my breast. It is always in the back of your mind after you’ve had cancer.

I don't see why anyone is under any obligation to think positive. This confuses me. Can't they just think objectively?

Hugs, OP. I just had a lymph node biopsy a few days ago and a CT scan today. I had bowel cancer, too.

I don't know if you have to process it, darling. I don't know if it's possible to.

I'm taking the opportunity to eat a lot of toast. I like toast. If you can, do things you like.

Love xxx

I’m sorry you’re going through this, the uncertainty must be so hard. I hope you have people to talk to. Stay strong.

I suggest cancer charities as they have professionals who can advise and support you in a more focused way than Mumsnetters. Especially right now at the not knowing stage.

No obligation to think positive but when you don't know the spiral goes the other way. It's very difficult to be objective when you are possibly just terrified.

Your experience is not everyone else's. The OP might want to cope by knowing the facts, making contingency plans, understanding possible outcomes. She might not think of cancer as a "journey". She might not think of it in metaphors. She might think it's shit and didn't happen for a reason.

I think she should have the space to decide without having it explained to her.

Oof! You make a lot of assumptions. Cancer charities can offer professional adivice help when you are in the not knowing stage.

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I am referred for a pet scan in a few weeks.

Bowel was my third cancer, I was incredibly angry through three and hoping I would have a release from it.

Also the medical team had shelved my results for a few weeks “holidays and general apathy” cited as a reason.

This is MY life.

8 weeks have passed since my scan and they results 4 weeks ago.

@littlebilliie that is fucking awful. I'm so so sorry.

I feel very annoyed on your behalf that they're making you wait even longer for a PET scan since they've sat on your summer scan results for so long. How have they justified this to you? Who told you? Your oncologist directly?

@littlebilliie
I am so sorry to hear that you’ve had cancer 3 times and that you’ve had such lacklustre care from your hospital. No wonder you’re feeling so upset and frustrated.

I have care for a long term cancer in another department within the Trust and they are wonderful. They genuinely care and reach out all the time.

my results got shelved because of holidays. I spent a long time yesterday discussing it with PALS As I do have a genuine department comparison and they were very helpful.

if this is a active lymph node then these weeks matter.

I will be thinking of you @littlebilliie . We're here.