Seeking Guidance About Partner and Hodgkins Lymphoma

Hi T.,

Whatever happens with the doctor (assuming you can get her to go), I would like to suggest biofeedback. I work with a woman who does remarkable work, especially with cancer, using biofeedback. For more information about what biofeedback is and how to reach her, please see http://alternativehealthcommunity.com/quantumstars/
Once you know what you are dealing with, she may want some help with stress. I offer Reiki and private yoga lessons which can help keep the body as healthy as possible to fight any illness. You may visit me (and contact me) at http://yogapotential.com/ (The website needs some help, but the basic info is there.)

Peace and Joy,
M.
____@____.com

As an oncology nurse all I can tell you is let her go to the doctor. If she wants to go alone there is nothing you can do. She probably needs scans and a biopsy of the swollen nodes. The probablity is higher that it is a return of her ovarian cancer rather than a new diagnosis of lymphoma, especially since she already had lymph node involvement when she was first diagnosed. Not that it's not possible to have a second diagnosis of lymphoma, but unlikely with her previous history.

She may be afraid to go. Ovarian cancer is such a scary disease and she is probably aware of the fact that if it returns it's much more difficult to treat. If she can deny that she is having problems, then she feels like she is buying herself time. Once the diagnosis hits then -in her mind- the clock is ticking. If she refuses to go the clock never starts.

PM me if you need or want more info.

Hi T.,

It sounds like your partner is in denial and may not want you to go with her to the doc because you may be more honest with the doc than she wants you to be. I work in a hospital and I know that due to HIPPA rules you (not being a blood relative or spouse) can't get information from the doc; however, you can offer information to the doctor or nurse (be it over the phone or in person). So.. encourage your partner to get to the doctor ASAP and be ready to follow-up with a phone call. In the end your partner might feel betrayed by your phone call, but her health is the most important thing. Best of luck...you and your partner will be in my prayers.

S.

Hi T., you have also listed many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism which is VERY common in women of child bearing age. I'm sure her doctor will do a blood test to check this and the solution is a simple pill every morning. Hope this helps.

I agree that to save you both a lot of stress, you should go to a dr asap. That way you at least know what you are dealing with! Good luck! Let us know.

I personally would not do a self diagnostic. I would get her to the Dr. ASAP. Most especially if she has previously had cancer. GO TO THE DOCTOR so you know what you are dealing with here.

Best wishes to you.

T.,
My grandson was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma three weeks before his seventeenth B-day .He had a knot on his chest,above collar bone an back of neck.Try googleing an you can read all thee sypmtoms For just a few place they believe they caught it with in a three month period an he had lost 80 pds in one month an was falling asleep in school he was very fatigued sleeping more than usual.But his Mom thought he was just trying to watch his eating since he worked at Sonic an had put it all on from there.But she took him immediately when he showed her the knots an a low grade temp All most all you mentioned.They sent him that very nite form a small town in Arkansaw to Little rock to childrens hosp. Your friend probaly knows it all ready since she has had it before an is afraid of the answer.If you want to go with her just tell her you are very concerned for her life an love her for trying not to you show she is probably litterely scared .Just say to her I'm going go to go an support her.But the Docters will know when they see the knots an a few other things after blood test ect.When my husband had lung cancer the Dr he was going to for regular checks wasn't going to send him to a lung Dr since he didn'T think he had cancer an he didn't see a need. Well I said you will send him or I will find one on my own. he went to Arlington cancer center an his Dr was there.He still goes every year now an is doing great!Since I had lost my dad from they same thing I knew he was changeing an thank god I did. He is alive today from early detection.Then the Dr apololgized six months later to us for his mistake.So do what you believe in your heart is right for both of you.She is probably wanting yuor supprort but is afraid to ask you to go withif it is nothing.
If you don't get to go with her if you know the DR, she is going to call ahead an let them put a note in the chart for her Dr that you know she has had this before ! That you are just concerned she won't tell him all.Or just show up in the waitng room for her after the visit. Sorry this was so long but I'm a person that dosen't take know for a answer type person.My G-so nhas a lot of faith an said he knows that God will bring hi mthrew it.I pray everyday he is right an he was a healthy young man before.
Good luck an I will put you an your friend in my prayers .
M. H.

The main thing is getting her to the doctor. I know it's a scary prospect - especially since she's been thru cancer before. All you can do is continue to love and support her, be there for her. And pray.
My brother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and went thru all his treatments. Was in remission and then 5 years to the week that he was originally diagnosed, he was out of remission. Went thru an autoglus stem cell transplant, radiation and treatment and has been clear of the disease for over 10 years now.
Again - just be there for her. In whatever way she will let you - don't be pushy or overbearing - just supportive and suggestive. Let her know you're not going anywhere no matter what.

You gave the best advice. Get her to the dr. as quickly as you can.

My grandmother had Lymphoma. She had a knot in her inner thigh, in her groin area. She went through Cemo and Radiation. I would go to the doctor ASAP.

I am a volunteer with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of North Texas. They are located at Coit and 635 in Dallas. Their website is www.lls.org. They can offer all sorts of advise and assistance. It is a great organization and I am proud of the work that they do helping raise money for research and aid to patients (financial and education). Go to their website they have call centers, support groups, they can probably put you in touch with doctors in your area that can diagnose your friend. I know she is scared but delaying treatment (if treatment is necessary) will not make this go away nor will it make it any easier. This is a very treatable disease and maybe you getting this information for her and you receiving support from the Society will give her the strenght to face this trial. 90% of what we worry about never happens,it is the 10% that we don't think about that gets us. Good Luck my thoughts and prayers are with you and your partner.

This may be common sense but GET HER TO THE DR RIGHT AWAY. No sense scaring yourself guessing into all this stuff. You need to know for sure.

T., I'm so sorry that your partner is not doing well. My husband works in a cancer center and I've seen how incredibly hard it is to deal with and have even had a scare myself.

My best advice is get her to the doctor, even if you have to hog tie her to get her there. She's in denial and if God forbid, the cancer is back in any form, the faster you attack it, the better off you are. If you need a referral for a doctor, there are several that work in the center with my husband that I like very much.

Good luck! I will say a prayer for you & yours.

Nights sweats and a persistant cough are VERY common symptoms. My husband is an oncology pharmacist and a coworker's spouse has lymphoma(it's VERY rare, but he actually has hodgkin's AND non hodgkin's). We also lost our best friend from college to non-hodgkin's lymphoma, hodgkin's is a VERY VERY curable disease if caught early enough. Her symtpoms do sound concerning, but they could be a million other things as well. Have her get in to a DR ASAP!!!!!

T., Just wanted to check in and see how your partner is doing. My uncle was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in the rectum that had spread to the liver and lungs. I found a product called Stem Enhance that has helped keep his immune system up. In fact he owns a construction company and he was able to work all through his chemo treatments with no fatigue, no nausea, no hair loss and at the end of the treatments the 5" rectal tumor was gone and the spots in the liver and lungs have shrank. Just thought I would share this with you as he has done so well. There was scientific research on the product showing the benefits with cancer, if you are interested email me and I will send them over. You can also go to this website for more basic scientific information www.stemcellhotline.com I will continue to pray for your family. Call if I can be of help. J. ###-###-####