Husband has been told he might have lymphoma.

[LongDiscoClara]

Dh hasn't been well for a month. Night sweats, fatigue, joint pain and general symptoms. I've been pushing to get a doctors appointments. They've taken lots of blood and have ruled out infection. He was admitted to hospital on Friday and has been kept in.
Chest x ray showed enlarged lymph nodes in his chest and spoke with the Chest doctor last night and he said it's very possible it's Lymphoma.
He has to get a biopsy on the 3rd April.
I feel like my world has been shattered. I'm so numb. He's 39 and we have 3 kids 11, 10 (who has autism) and 6.
I've been awake for a few hours and I can't stop thinking about this. What do I do?

Hi OP,
So sorry you are going through this. Is DH staying in hospital? Do you have family or friends you can lean on? Don't hold back from asking for help, whether it is with practical stuff or just coming over for a cuppa.

I am sure your head is spinning at the moment but just try and deal with what you have in front of you. Go with your feelings and vent as much as you need to here

Dh is in hospital. He's been in since Friday. We are hoping he gets out tomorrow and home while we wait for the biopsy on the 3rd April.

I just can't believe this is happening

If it's Lymphoma, especially Hodgkin's it's one of the "better" ones if the Chemo works which it does in a large majority of cases. DH had it diagnosed when DD was 9 months and after 6 months of chemo hell (ABVD is a bitch) he has basically made a full recovery and is now down to 6 monthly check ups.

Chemo is tough because it's fortnightly and DH only a couple of days when he felt human each cycle. He had major vomiting but his white cell never got too horrendous - more difficult when kids in school though!

Make sure you look after you. Once DH had the diagnosis through we got referred for counselling which helped.

if it is lymphoma, please remember many people survive cancer these days. Good luck and I hope it's nothing to worry about

Thanks for all your replies. I know I need to keep positive but it's overwhelming. X

Yes, it’s definitely overwhelming

I have blood cancer - for me leukaemia (CML) and I don’t know as much about lymphoma. But I do know that some forms are very treatable, so first piece of gratuitous advice is don’t google Because the treatment for some blood cancers has been totally revolutionised by new targeted drugs, but the older info is still out there and can terrifyingly pop up in searches. If you cannot resist the urge, them stick to reputable sites - Bloodwise might be best, or one of the main cancer charities or the Lymphoma Asdociation.

The early bit, whilst you await test results on which they can base treatment plans, can be the most stressful part. How long between biopsy and getting the results? Or is 3/04 results day?

3rd April is biopsy day. It can be up to a week for results. We've let them know that we can come for any cancellations that might come up.
I've been googling. Dh hasn't thankfully. I couldn't help it, it's just the worry.
Dh got home from the hospital but is stunned and pretty quiet. I'm sorry you're going through this too.
I don't know what to say. I'm just trying to be normal. Keeping it normal for the kids.

The waiting for diagnosis and then for treatment to begin is horrid. Many years ago I had a biopsy, results 2 weeks later (Hodgkin lymphoma) and then another month until treatment began. 25 years later I still remember those dark days. I’m glad we didn’t have the internet like we do now, until you know all the facts you will worry yourself even more. Stay positive, I wish you and your husband well

Thank you so much, I've read these out to my husband and it's giving us some hope. It's the hanging about that's the worst. My husband fits kitchens for a living and I'm scared that years of breathing in dust has really affected him.
I guess it's all just fear. Reading that there's hope really helps. Xx

My husband was diagnosed last year, his treatment started almost exactly one year ago. It was awful, a terrible shock. However, it is one of the most treatable cancers. The treatment was 2 days (as a day patient) every three weeks. He is now in remission and his prognosis is positive. I wish you both well x

Thank you for your reply. Still waiting on finding out what's going on. Xx

@Tahitiitsamagicalplace (really hope I’ve typed that accurately)

You mentioned on another thread that you were happy to answer questions about lymphoma - so I’m taking you at your word and summoning you over here! I think you’re needed on this thread