My family doc called me from home Friday to tell me of lab results and to refer me to a Hemo to "rule out" lymphoma. Of course this has caused some anxious feelings in me which is evident by the massive web searches I have engaged in...I imagine you know all about how this is. Mostly, I have been trying to figure out if I really need to go to this appointment or if my doc is just making sure he covers all the basis.
I have had 2 other regular doctor visits since a visit last Sept. when my WBC's have gone from 12.2 to 14 to this last lab of 16.4. No other real symptoms other than fatigue which makes sense because I have unresolved anemia issues, and some flu-ish/achy feelings - but I was DX'ed with fibromyalgia years ago, so I have written this off to that.
So, what's my question?:
It appears to me that a LOW WBC is generally found in lymphoma. So with elevated wbc's, why am I being referred to the Hemo doctor at the Cancer Center?? Of course, while on the phone with the Doc I couldn't think of ONE question...especially because this came completely unexpectedly.
No matter what, I have been encouraged simply as a person by all your discussions. The encouragement you offer here to one another is really amazing. Thank you for reminding me that this world, that in recent months has seemed exceptionally evil, still is ruled by LOVE and Compassion!
I'm not sure how it all fits together. In my husband's case, all of his WBC were normal and he wasn't diagnosed until they did a lymphnode biopsy. I'm sure your doctor is just trying to be thorough and make sure he's covered all of the bases. While it sucks having the cancer word thrown at you, it's important that you look at all possibilities. So many people on here tell stories of how they were misdiagnosed for months and in some cases longer than that. Try to take comfort in that your doctor is trying to do his/her best by you.
My thought are with you during this time. When my husband was diagnosed, the waiting was the hardest part. Keep us updated on your status!
Thanks for your reply, Gregswife…“Try to take comfort in that your doctor is trying to do his/her best by you.”… I believe you are right. The truth is, I think I was hoping to find something out here that would say - “Naaah! Blow it off! He is just covering his petuti!” ~grin~ I didn’t. And the other truth is…my doc is also a personal friend - we have known him for years - even went to church with him for a while. I really believe he cares for me and has MY best interest at heart. He has been RIGHT on too many occasions in his assessment of my condition.
I return next Wednesday to the Hemo’s office for results from new labwork and I am believing it will show I am A -OK!
Sending you “virtual roses” to brighten your day! @}->—
My husband has been my “caretaker” for several years now do to an injury that left me disabled. I know how very special you must surely be!!!
I'm with Gregswife. Before I was diagnosed my counts were fine, too. The only sign of lymphoma for me was an enlarged lymphnode. But as you probably know of course there are other symptoms as well (feeling tired, nightsweats, sudden weight loss). Maybe you should call your doc and ask what other indications are there to send you to an oncologist. Please keep us posted.
Thank you for the suggestion. I went ahead and went to my appointment. I have a bunch of symptoms that could fall into the “lympho” Group – and then again they could fall into other illnesses Group as well, and DO, as I mentioned in my original post. The new symptoms I began experiencing a couple of months before this appointment with my family doc that referred me to the Hemo is my feet and legs having tantrums of burning - itchiness that is unrelenting and like nothing I’ve experienced before - and a bit of weight-loss that I cannot account for with reasoning.
The truth is — for some reason I feel certain there is nothing new with me to worry about. I just cannot imagine that I have cancer…but then again, who ever does.
Praying Peaceful Blessings for your weekend!
I am ~ LivingClay
Kimberly
Hi Kim, My white counts were ok when I found out I had Lymphoma. The MD you were referred to looks at ALL blood disorders. The big "C" does throw panic your way sorry you have to go thru this. Keeping this appt. would be good to find out why your white counts are continually going up. Best to find out earlier than later. I would not go on a massive internet hunt as you will see tons of stuff to scare you to death before you even know that you have anything. I know this is easier said than done. Unfortunately there is tons of mis-information out there and many areas are out of date. The National Cancer Society-18004cancer..is the best I could find. Once you know what if anything you have you can call there and they will e-mail the correct info. to you or send it in the mail. You can get lay mans notes or medical notes as the physicians also use this site. You can go to their site but I found it very hard to look anything up with Lymphoma because there are so many types and sub-types each with their own set of symptoms and treatments. It almost takes their staff to navigate thru the site.
I hope and pray you don't need any of this info. BUT if you do this site rocks. There are many people with all types of cancer on here all with new things for you to learn and support for the good and bad days. Funny thing we are here 24/7 and just a click away. HUGS and Prayers!
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement! Went to the Hemo yesterday, who felt around on me and then smiled and then said, in a sultry European (I think) accent, “Well - we do blood here, that’s what we do. So, I will order some labs and hopefully this will give us some answers - we might need to check your bone marrow. See you back in 10-14 days.” Then he walked out - they took blood - and when I went to check out the receptionist said the Doc decided he wanted to see me in 7 days (???) I hate that something as simple as that can throw a big question mark up in my mind right now “What made him move the follow-up date up??” Hmmm…let me see if I can get all wacky over that =)
Aaaanyways - now I wait. Actually I am doing really good today and I am glad I went ahead and went to the appointment! I slept good last night - besides the sweating. I’ve decided there is no reason to worry about something when I don’t know if and what I should worry about ~grin~
Thank you again for your encouragement. I’ll keep you posted. Hopefully I will have good news next week and then maybe my reason for being here will simply be to encourage YOU!
Keeping you in my prayers! and sending a virtual ROSE your way @}}->----
We are all ~ LivingClay
Kimberly
I felt the same way, I had a Urinary TRact Infection, and while I was at the hospital I was seen by a Hemo. I did not know why , only that since I had an infection my Lymphnodes were enlarged which was seen on a cat scan. I had another contrast Cat scan and went to see the Hemo, I think i was in denial. I then had a byapsi and a referral to the Cancer Center. The only symtoms I had was a lower back ache and the sweats mostly at night. Just stay positive.
Blessings! Thank you for your kind encouragement. I am sorry you have had to live with cancer. I pray today that you sense a reprieve from the symptoms that usually ale you.
The Hemo took 8 vials of blood and I am to return next Wednesday for results. I slept well last night and am grateful for the sunshine and gentle breeze that I feel as I sit outside in my rose garden today! I’m sending you a virtual rose to brighten your day! @}}->----
Hi Kim,Sorry you have the need to be here .In my case my white count did go up "slightly" but I was also losing weight for no reason.About a # a day actually.The good of the weight thing was I could eat till I turned blue and never gain.Just a bit of raw humor.Heck back the I only weighted 120#s.Anyway my advice would be to follow through,as you said you also have some achyness happening.You've come this far so may as well follow through.Good luck and please let us know how things work out for you.Take care,Michele Dx95FNHL3
Thank you for the encouragement to go ahead with the appointment. I am glad I did! Go back next Wednesday for more hemo-lab results. They sent it to L.A. to be analyzed which I find peculiar because I live in Houston, TX - the home of M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital - one of the largest/best in the entire country - and we send my blood to Cali? Go figure ~grin~
As for the weight loss humor ~ I can appreciate it! I too have lost 15 pounds in the last two months with NO effort. I am about 60 lbs. overweight, so this might be my silver lining should I learn I am ill. I’ll take it, for sure!
Praying you are experiencing a day of reprieve from the symptoms that usually cause you discomfort.
I’m send you a virtual rose to brighten your day! @}}->----
Hi, Kimberly! Can I sit in your rose garden, too!
We're all here for each other.
I'm like you, don't know why Houston would send blood to CA. I know they did that to see if I'm vit. D deficient, but I thought we could test anything downtown. Funny, huh?
This is such a great group! I think waiting for results is so hard! At least this way, you don't have to wait as long? : )
I'm praying your results are good.
Like others, when the doctor told my hubby the "C" word, we were so caught off guard, we didn't ask our usual amount of questions. But, by the next day...
Hope you can keep busy and the time will fly. Glad you're sleeping well.
Sweet dreams.
Prayers and blessings to you.
You're right, we are all living clay.
Please keep us posted.
By the time I found out I had Hogkins, I had precious little red left in my blood. Fast forward 4 years, and I had far too much! Crazy. Still, it all turned out well.
My prayers are with you! You are so lucky to be near MD Anderson! I even thought about going there, but I went to Duke for my second opinion and I'm glad that I did. I am having my chemo locally, under the direction of the lymphoma specialist at Duke. Keep getting the best doctors that you can find! The more cases they see, the better diagnosis you'll get.
“What made him move the follow-up date up??” Hmmm…let me see if I can get all wacky over that =)