Undergoing tests for cancer

[SheWillBeLoved]

Please can I have some hand holding and words of encouragement :(

I went to the doctors a few months ago with a swollen saliva gland, got antibiotics, it cleared up for a couple of weeks, and has been back since. I went back again after a month or so, and got referred to an ENT specialist, my appointment was on Friday gone (posted on here about it) Had a camera up my nose/down my throat, he had a good old rummage of my neck, doesn't seem too concerned about the saliva gland as it is soft and moveable, but he then pointed out another lump behind my jaw/under my ear which I didn't know about and said that was harder. My lymph glands are also slightly raised on that side of my neck. He doesn't know what the lumps are, and urgently referred me for an ultrasound biopsy, CT scan and an MRI scan, which are this Thursday and Friday. I go back for the results on the 13th December, hopefully sooner.

Fucking bollocks :( he was asking if I had symptoms which I know are B symptoms of Hodgkins Lymphoma, I'm bang in the middle of the most susceptible age group too. Thankfully I didn't answer yes to any of them, but fucking hell, I'm 24, have a 15mo DD. I can't have this, can I? Absolutely terrified.

Hey there. How frightening for you. Chances are, though, the lump the specialist found is innocuous but much better to know for sure one way or the other.

FWIW my sister, as a teenager, had a similar lump (or, rather, lumps) in her neck. She, too, got all the tests you're going to have and, luckily, they were all clear.

If, and I say if, you are not so lucky, my understanding is that Hodgkins responds very well to treatment and has a very high cure rate.

Do you have someone who can go to the appointments with you?

Thinking of you and holding your hand virtually.

PS I know it'll be hard not to but don't google. You'll only scare yourself unnecessarily.

Thank you :) that's encouraging. I have Googled, but not excessively, more just to see if I was right about the B symptoms and the survival rates for my age/potential stage etc.

My sister will be coming with me, she's really calm and rational, exactly what I'll need. I can't wait for the tests/results, I'm making myself sick with worry which I'm also convincing myself is due to it being cancer and not worry.

Good. I'm glad you have someone calm to go with you. I'm sure it'll help.

Feeling sick with worry? That sounds normal to me. Horrible but normal. Do try and take care of yourself i.e. eat, drink, rest etc. Hopefully that will help.

Good luck for the tests and update the thread to let me know how it goes.

So scary for you, also glad you have your sister with you - just wanted to add that I have had hard lumps/glands (one behind each ear) for years and years, and they have been checked and amounted to nothing - but caused me lots of sleepless nights in my 20s. That was 30 years ago, they are still there

Hoping the best for you, xxx