I have a question...

[3 ladybugs]

I don't have cancer (I don't think) however I do have enlarged lymph nodes. I have had to fight with my insurance for over a week to get my pre-approvial for the MRI. Then I had to wait a week to get the MRI. I then had to wait a week for a doctor who I thought would give me answers but he just passed the buck to another doctor and I wasted 3 hours there. I am now waiting 9 days (2 days into it) for this next doctor.

How do you not get FURIOUS while you wait? I find myself calming down only to get mad that I am even having to deal with this and I finding more answers on the internet then I am in the doctor's office. At times I feel like standing on a street corner with a sandwich board asking for anyone to remove my lymph nodes so I can just get on with life.

I feel fine (didn't even know I had this) and the only reason I am dealing with this is because my RE will not let me cycle till this is resolved.

I just need to know more coping techinques to deal with the uncertainity and the coldness of many of the people that deal with people with these issues.

Sorry if I shouldn't have posted here. I just don't know where else to turn and in the last 6 years when I had a problem I was always able to find a board to talk to like minded people. However right now I feel like such board doesn't exist.

[GingerIL]

How do you not get FURIOUS while you wait?

There's no way around it...you do get furious...you also get terrified, and frustrated, and sad, and disgusted, and all sorts of other things....

I am so sorry that you have to go through this Ladybug, but sadly, this is the nature of this beast. We have all been through it and we share your frustration, but unfortunately, there is little you can do about it, except to vent to people who can relate.

I truly hope that you get the answer that you expect, ie, no cancer, but in the meantime, you are welcome to post here and hopefully that will help.

Hugs--

[onniebay]

I'm sorry you are getting the runaround. Hoping you find out answers soon.

[3 ladybugs]

I saw the oncologist today and she is ordering a CT guided core biopsy. I should find out by Monday when this will occur. She couldn't rule out lymphoma so therefore this test. If that isn't it then I will get progressively more invasive tests till the cause is found.

I want to hide under a rock now.

[SuzCa]

Holy cow!

Good news, although core biopsies are not fun they tend to be quick if they use (yes) a biopsy "gun". They numb the area so it does not hurt - it is more of a mind game than anything else. Then comes the wait for a diagnosis or worse, more tests. The shorter time in between the better. I seriously hope that they let you off the hook. If for any reason they do not, trust me, you will get though it. Keep us in the loop. I really hope you get good and reassuring news. Don't be mad right now, just really pro-active, and hope for the best.

[3 ladybugs]

My DH is a research scientist and has looked up in the Med journals about Lymphoma. I guess for what we assume this type would be (not spread to other systems or organs and in one area of the body) the 10 year survival rate is quite high (he said over 95%). To which I said "Oh great so I can see my son turn 11! Whoopty Doo!" He then explained that they don't do survival rates longer then that and that they count ANY death in that stat. So if you survive Lymphoma then die 7 years later in an auto accident that goes to the survival rate. He said that lymphoma is now one of the more treatable forms of cancer now.

So I am preparing myself that I have cancer and will need chemo and all.

I did talk to my RE and he said that he will not do anything to my frozen embryos even if I can't go back and get them within the 5 years from frozen date (I have one embryo frozen July 31, 2007 and 4 frozen mid January 2008). So that calms me down about that aspect. I am also going to keep him in the loop about my progress at the oncologist.

One question I have if anyone can answer it, does anyone know if chemo will likely make me less fertile then I am already? I know this isn't THAT big of a concern since I have 5 frozen embryos but I really wanted 3 children (living) so it is a thought in the back of my mind.