Lymphoma and terrified

[Manchestertimes]

My husband has a lump on his clavicle which is painless but surrounding shoulder and neck is in a lot of pain.
He went for an ultrasound and they said he has a low lying infection and have referred him for an urgent MRI scan.
He is experiencing itching on his arms and legs and his stomach is very swollen.and is feeling breathless and tired.
I am so scared he has got lymphoma because of his symptoms and I am trying to keep myself together and be strong for him and my children.
Has anyone any experience of lymphoma and did the person doing ultrasound say infection when they meant enlarged lymph nodes. Cant bare the waiting - I cant eat or sleep and I am exhausted. Thanks for reading.

No experience but didn't want to read and run.

Is there anyone you can run all your worries by, talking might ease the tension for a while.

I have been able to talk to my friends but the hardest bit is pretending to be strong and positive to my husband when I feel so scared inside.

It is very hard to be strong for someone when you need support yourself. ❤️

Thankyou for your kind words

My dad had lymphoma about 10-15 years ago. He had three swellings on one side of his neck, one large and two smaller. He had radiotherapy because the lymphoma was caught quite early on and all these years later is a healthy 82 year old and has had no recurrence.

Best wishes to you and your husband, it’s a worrying time 💐.

DH had Hodgkin's 5 years ago age 39. Chemo was horrible but he's now in full remission and back to full fitness. It's one of the "better" cancer options.

It's just the waiting that is so hard. I have convinced myself he will die and i with be left alone with 2 children - my anxiety is through the roof but still trying to look strong.
I know this question is silly but do you think the person on the ultrasound would say infection if he thought it was lymphoma?

The waiting is definitely the worst bit. DH's was found as a chest mass so Lymphoma was basically good news for us! He did have the itches and night sweats too - and assumed the exhaustion was men being crap at night wakings (had a 4 month old at the time).

It took ages and 6 different procedures to go from "mass" to Hodgkin's lymphoma- start treatment because they kept getting not enough useful tissue in the samples - and the recovery time between the last 2 ops was definitely necessary!

It is normal to worry about your future too - don't feel selfish - if you can find a friend / your family to vent to that can help.

Most lymphoma is quite easy to diagnose as the affected lymph nodes are usually close to the skin - DH's was basically wrapped around his heart so a pig to get samples from. Did mean no radiotherapy required though.

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to me. I just hope it is an infection that can be treated but feel life is on hold until we find out.

I am currently going through chemo for hodgkin's lymphoma.I found a lump in my groin that the hospital thought was a strangulated hernia so I was sent for surgery that day. Turned out it was and enlarged lymph node which they removed and sent to the lab, I then had a CT scan which showed more followed by a pet scan. This type of cancer is very treatable and the success rate is good. The only symptoms I had before was anemia, fatigue and back ache. Weight loss is one but I didn't really get that either. I did not have itching but i know somebody else who did, she finished her treatment 6 months ago and is now in remission. I really hope it's good news for your husband, I understand how hard the waiting is. The chemo is hard but hopefully it will all be worth it in the end and I only have 2 more to go now. Two months after I was diagnosed, my sister was having a scan on her leg to check for DVT, they found enlarged lymph nodes in her groin instead so she was tested further to see if she also had lymphoma. Thankfully it turned out she had an infection that had caused her lymph nodes to enlarge so this could be the case for your husband

DH's best friend was diagnosed with two types of lymphoma 4 years ago - Stage 3. In his abdomen and neck. One curable, one not but very 'lazy' type. He had months of chemo and then some radiotherapy. Has had no further treatment and is still clear and very well. The 'lazy' type will come back eventually but responds to lots of chemo types and he has been given a normal life expectancy - is now 40.
He and his wife have had two children through IVF since he was diagnosed. He is back to full-time work, playing football, running.

Thank you for your responses. The ultra sound said infection and the MRI appointment has come through in a months time. I am hoping that is a positive sign as it doesn't look like he is on 2 week urgent referral.
It's hard because he is not sleeping because of the pain in his shoulder. He keeps telling me about more ailments which are all symptoms of lymphoma.
At the moment I just want a diagnosis as the wait is so hard.

Hello lovely. Just read your thread and wondering how your DH is doing? Xxx

Well he ended up going privately to see a consultant who did another ultrasound and said it is ostio arthritis and he needs steroids but can't have them due to the virus. It has been a terrible time but at least the result is what we were hoping for. I am so thankful for all the support I was given.

That's good news considering what it could have been - hope you can get it sorted as soon as lockdown eases

Thank you

Oh wow what a relief. That's such good news for you all xxx