I want to preface this by saying that I know none of you are doctors. Or if you are, you haven't seen me and don't have the required information to diagnose me or balh blah blah.

That being said, if you have any opinions or knowledge on the topic of lymphomas, feel free to share! Even my docotors have told me that during this time of uncertainty, the best thing to do is eat lots of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. So my instincts are telling me that you all might be on the right track! :-)

Basically, I recieved a "false positive" on a monospot test some months back. After months went by and symptoms worsened, this was determined by doing a full blood work-up, including an EBV and CBV profile; both profiles concluded that I do not have and have never had mono. Hence, the monospot was a "false positive."

That is normally a indication of something much worse going on, especially in conjunction with my other symptoms, (assymetrical glands in my throat for 2(+??) months, fatigue, weight loss, and one night-sweat a week before I was diagnosed with mono).

I was referred out to a throat specialist and I have an appointment tomorrow.
I'd like to be able to present my concerns to him, when I go in.

My understanding is that, if this specialist thinks Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a legitimate concern, the only sure diagnostic procedure is a biopsy from the swollen gland.

What are your opinions on cutting into a mass that might be a tumor, especially one in the lymphatic system?

To me, it seems like it may do a lot of harm! Also, are there any other precise methods of diagnosis, perhaps through an alternative doctor?

Also, if you have any good links to information of this topic, I'd appreciate it. Especially if you have information on alternative as well as affordable treatments.

As always, thanks you guys!

Hi, sorry for your illness. You will probably need an MRI of the area. I have a swelling in the back of my neck, that was checked for Hodgkins, but luckily it was neg. for lipoma. There is a 7x4 mm lymph node present, of significance they are not sure. I am now seeing a physiatrist who is trying to help me with the chronic pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders.
That being said, raw food, fasting for cleansing, etc. stretching and exercise are what I am doing. Cutting into the mass sounds extreme, but may end up necessary-- advice is: Do research and get more med/alternative opinions Good luck Noelle! Regards, Janice

Oh boy, this is a tough one for you!

When I had breast cancer, they first removed the cancer, then decided that the other breast tissues around it were "potentially able to become cancerous - "in-situ", so decided that I needed ANOTHER surgery, to remove the entire breast (plus, in the process of cutting into me the first time, it couldn't be predicted whether the procedure itself wouldn't trigger a spread of the disease).

Secondly, they told me that when they did the second procedure, they would also HAVE to take out some of the lymph nodes in my armpit to see if it had started to spread or not.

I do not know if or how the removal of my lymph nodes in my armpit would compare to your situation, but I think you should know how this has worked out for me before you decide to go ahead:

Firstly, yes, there was cancer found in my lymph nodes, but what good did it do for me to know that? It meant that the cancer had started to spread, but they couldn't tell me to what extent. Did it just reach my lymph nodes at the time they took them out, or was it all over the place - no answer. They did run a couple of tests, such as a lung x-ray, but they didn't need to take out my lymph nodes to do that. So, since it could have gone anywhere, they proceded with the chemotherapy. I question whether it was important to remove the lymph nodes, because if the chemo was going to "take care" of any cancer that had spread to other parts of me, why wouldn't it just take care of those as well! Also, the exact chemotherapy drugs that were prescribed for me would have been the same whatever the result of the lymph nodes - so it made no difference to my treatment. Lastly, if cutting into cancerous tissue is known to be one possible way of triggering it to spread .... I suppose the only thing that was accomplished is that if I live or if I die, they will have some statistical information to attach to my records.

Secondly, there are major side effects from the loss of your lymph nodes - google lymphedema ("edema" means swelling). When you don't have your lymph nodes, your body can't do it's job correctly. So I have to spend the rest of my life dealing with swelling and can never have any kind of pressure applied to that arm, except for the compression sleeve that I have to wear when the swelling gets too much. Also, if it gets bad enough, I can look forward to going in to have the fluids drained out manually. (I have no idea what is going to happen if I ever break my arm, there's no way they could ever cast it)

Even worse, this is a very common procedure for women who get breast cancer, and many of them have their healthy lymph nodes removed and go on to have all the problems I have when there was nothing wrong with their lymph nodes in the first place!

So in this choice, you have to make sure they tell you all of the potential damages you will suffer as a side effect of the procedure. And you might have to really ask a lot of questions before you get any straight answers.

For me personally, if I had it to do over again, I doubt that they would be able to convince me to let them touch my lymph nodes. They would have to come up with a very seriously compelling explanation! The condition I am dealing with is nothing compared to having full blown cancer, but if it was not necessary, I would prefer not to have it.

All medical procedures have some kind of side effects, the question is, how big are they, and can you live with that.

Good Luck!
Sapphire

Dear Noelle,

I feel for you, because medical issues can be terrifying. But I think you are definitely on the right track thinking in terms of diet (and your doctors def seem to be encouraging this, as well). Our instincts and gut feelings can be powerful forces which propel us away from that which is harmful and towards that which is good.

I've never had anything as serious as cancer or even close, but I find that for me personally, what gives me comfort, is my belief that our bodies were designed to heal themselves, both on the outside as well as on the inside, if we let them, by removing the toxins which burden us. I believe that healing is a matter of detoxifying... and until science proves me wrong, I am very comfortable with this hypothesis.

Warmest regards for your health...

xo
Sunshine



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2007 01:27AM by sunshine79.

It is possible to heal your lymphoma with only lifestyle changes and perhaps a few supervised water fasts. Most people won't opt for this route, as the lifestyle and diet changes are viewed by most as extreme. If you are interested in this route, you might want to contact some healthful living educators for a private consultation.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2007 01:42AM by Bryan.

Bryan, you are so 'hilareous'!

So, that would mean that cutting you up and totally mutilating your body, then injecting drugs into your veins that are so toxic that if they accidentally spill on your skin you will have to be treated for chemical burns, and finally, burning you to the point that your skin is permanently altered and discolored with that expensive radiation machine is NOT considered extreme.........

But eating and drinking healthy foods and pure water, now THAT is just too extreme for most people!

I wish you were just trying to be funny - so sad to know that you are speaking the absolute truth!

Sapphire

Thanks to all of you who responded! :-)

I took my concerns when I went to see the throat-doctor-man today and I'm quite pleased with his approach. He is treating me for Acid Reflux and think I might simply have allergies, that are affecting one gland more than another.

Maybe.

I told him all my concerns about having a biopsy, and we decided that we're going to watch it for 6 weeks and see if it doesn't go down. He does think Lymphoma is a legitimate concern, but not so much that a biopsy NEEDS to be done (though, if it changes he will want to). I'm on a mission to determine what kinds of foods helps reflux, on my own.

Bryan, I've looked into Natural Hygeine a bit and I find it really interesting, so thank you for the link. I'm not sure it's the route I'd take if I really did/do have a major issue, but it just might be.

Hi there,

I firmly believe that natural hygiene is the way to go. It makes perfect sense that our bodies can heal themselves when we provide the proper conditions for them.

BTW, my mothers acid reflux, which was severe totally went away within a week of adopting a 100% raw high fruit, low fat diet! :-)

Wishing you all the best!

Audrey