The Fear of Cancer

In today's generation, a simple lymph in any part of the body gives shiver to anyone who has it.

When we touch a lymph especially on places of our body where it should not be, our tendency is to seek professional help. When we speak of professional help, we go to doctor to doctors. Seeking advises and recommendations.

When the doctor mention the word "tumor" we crashed down. And shiver in fear. Our minds works rapidly. Our heart is pounding. All negative vibes are internalized. We even sometimes cry....in fear

Who wouldn't? We all know that tumor is always an indication of cancer. And cancer is a terminal disease. Cancer is a disease for the rich. What will happen to ordinary person, earning minimum wage if he is detected with such illness? What more if he is unemployed? These are instances that will really makes us think, "what will happen?"

This happens with my husband. One day he touched a lump on his left breast just under his tit. For a few days he ignored it. But a week or so, he started complaining that it hurts. I ignored him. Saying and convincing him that maybe some hard objects landed on his breast or maybe he was beaten a little harder. And he agreed that maybe he got it when he bump hard on his motorcycle. For awhile that is what we keep in mind.

After 4 or 5 weeks that nothing change with the situation and an occasional pain he felt, we decided to consult a doctor. Upon the doctors initial diagnosis (touching the breast and the lump under the tit) his findings ... "Gynecomastia".

GYNECOMASTIA is an abnormality in hormone production of a male individual. He said that Gynecomastia is caused by too much production of estrogen instead of testosterone, thus making his breast to enlarge.

The doctor advised him to undergo breast ultrasound to have more accurate findings. Since my husband is too old for breast enlargement. Which usually happens for teenage boys. Upon the result of ultrasound, the findings is different. It contradicts the doctors initial findings. Which gives us fear.
In ultrasound result, there are two possibilities that causes the breast lump.

The words "complex" and "cyst" are words that makes us fear the result. And because the result of the ultrasound and the doctors' initial findings did not match, he was recommended for biopsy. We went home that day, thinking what to do. We didn't decide yet if we want to undergo biopsy since an operation will be done and it is expensive. Budget is another issue.

We stayed home for awhile and looks for guidance and opinions from friends and relatives. But most nights my husband doesn't sleep well during this stage. And I caught him thinking deeply. He became silent and less active. I know that he is in fear. I know that he thinks of his condition. He is stressed out. He loss weight. He rarely went out of our home.

We were thinking of asking for a second opinion. We are considering going to Manila to ask other doctors. But with my husband attitude towards his illness and the constant complain of pain and not sleeping well, we decided to go on with the operation.

The biopsy as advised by the doctor will give us more accurate result. A 100% accuracy of the condition. So holding on to that, we went on with it. The two (2) weeks of waiting for the result is a torture. Both of us are in fear. Both are anxious. Even if I wanted to show him that I am strong (for one of us must be), deep inside I was killing myself very slowly.

So when the hospital's laboratory officer texted me that the result of the biopsy is available, I left my work without notice to my boss. Went home, told my husband that the result is ready. Even texted the doctor's secretary to ask about the availability of my husband's surgeon. We want immediate action. We want to end the torture.

There is fear. Fear of the result. What if's. What is it is positive for cancer? What if, what if..

But the result will end the torture we are going through. There will be an answer. Medication will be given early if it is. And peace of mind if it is not.

Relief was a gift.... Tears of joy flood in... And he almost hug the surgeon when we heard the result.
"Gynecomastia"..


He is now in a month of recovery from surgery.

We are now on third week of recovering from silent torture...

TREATMENT for the non-HODGKIN's

     Treatment for the non-hodgkin's mostly are biopsy's..the way they treat different type of cancer. But of course biopsis focused on the affected part of the body in which case in these disease it will be the lymph nodes.

Lymph node biopsy: The removal of all or part of a lymph node. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. One of the following types of biopsies may be done:

Excisional biopsy: The removal of an entire lymph node.
Incisional biopsy: The removal of part of a lymph node.

Core biopsy: The removal of part of a lymph node using a wide needle.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: The removal of bone marrow, blood, and a small piece of bone by inserting a needle into the hipbone or breastbone. A pathologist views the bone marrow, blood, and bone under a microscope to look for signs of cancer.
Liver function tests: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by the liver. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the blood is checked for an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). LDH levels help determine prognosis (chance of recovery).

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:

• The stage of the cancer.

• The type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

• The patient’s age and general health.

• Whether the lymphoma has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).

• Prognosis also depends on the level of LDH in the blood.

TREATMENT for PREGNANT patients

For non-Hodgkin lymphoma during pregnancy, the treatment options also depend on:

• The wishes of the patient.

• Which trimester of pregnancy the patient is in.

• Some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma spread more quickly than others do.

Most non-Hodgkin lymphomas that occur during pregnancy are aggressive. Delaying treatment of aggressive lymphoma until after the baby is born may lessen the mother's chance of survival. Immediate treatment is often recommended, even during pregnancy.

symptoms..non-hodgkin's

    Here are some symptoms you should watch out for detecting non-hodgkin's lymphoma. In any case, any of these appears to you, don't jump into conclusion and scare yourself..a visit to your doctor is still the main thing to do to confirm becuase these symptoms may also be a symptoms to other kinds of diseases.

Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor. Risk factors for adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma include the following:

1. Being older, male, or white.

2. Having one of the following medical conditions:

• An inherited immune disorder (for example, hypogammaglobulinemia or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome). (no idea what that is, maybe I should research that too :D)
• An autoimmune disease (for example, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or Sjögren syndrome). (Nope.)
• HIV /AIDS. (hahaha, now I feel good, know what I mean? I may not have non-hodgkin’s then..^_^)
• Human T-lymphotrophic virus type I or Epstein-Barr virus.

• A history of Helicobacter pylori infection.
• Taking immunosuppressant drugs after an organ transplant.
• Being exposed to certain pesticides.
• A diet high in meats and fat.
• Past treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Possible signs of adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma include fever, sweating, fatigue, and weight loss. (well, I gained weight now. :)

These and other symptoms may be caused by adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
 

• Painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, groin, or stomach.
• Fever for no known reason.
• Drenching night sweats.
• Feeling very tired.
• Weight loss for no known reason.
• Skin rash or itchy skin.
• Pain in the chest, abdomen, or bones for no known reason.
• Tests that examine the body and lymph system are used to help detect (find) and diagnose adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA- common affected parts

   As promised, I am putting additional information about this disease..I hope you will find it informational ^_^
and that it may help you understand it more.. :-)

The lymph system is part of the immune system and is made up of the following:

Lymph: Colorless, watery fluid that travels through the lymph system and carries white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes protect the body against infections and the growth of tumors.

Lymph vessels: A network of thin tubes that collect lymph from different parts of the body and return it to the bloodstream.
Lymph nodes: Small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph and store white blood cells that help fight infection and disease. Lymph nodes are located along the network of lymph vessels found throughout the body. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the underarm, pelvis, neck, abdomen, and groin.
 
Spleen: An organ that makes lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old blood cells. It is on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach.

Thymus: An organ in which lymphocytes grow and multiply. The thymus is in the chest behind the breastbone.

Tonsils: Two small masses of lymph tissue at the back of the throat. The tonsils make lymphocytes.
Bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue in the center of large bones. Bone marrow makes white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
Because lymph tissue is found throughout the body, adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma can begin in almost any part of the body. Cancer can spread to the liver and many other organs and tissues.

(Wow! Maybe I should return to my doctor and have me check again. Some small lymph in my shoulder is still there and I have problem with my throat every now and then. Pray, it should be a simple sore throat.)

 

You may now in fear and wondering if the your lymps are non-hodgkin's or not..in my next post i will tell you all about non-hodgkin's symptoms. Watch out!

The Fear of Ilness - NON-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

     Have you ever fear of getting a very serious disease? Well, I am. I am always afraid of being sick, of being futile, of being a burden to my love ones. It scared me to death whenever I feel something peculiar, something strange in me.

     Have you read my entries before, about me being sick? That I was once diagnosed of hypothyroidism and then later on it changed to TB Adenitis? I was so afraid of that time. I fear that having thyroidism I might undergo operation. That my throat might swell. Thank God it didn’t. Then when the test result said I was positive of TB? What the Heck, I didn’t sleep for 2 days until I learned that it was adenitis and the doctor assured me that it was not contagious, that it was different than the common TV.

     I became curious of different disease since then. That whenever I heard of an illness so alien to me I always look it up in Google and try to learn all I can get about the certain disease.

     I was reading a book one day and one of the characters there is said to have this certain disease I am not aware of, or rather, I don’t have much knowledge about. It is called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I don’t have any indication of what that is. All it said there is that it is some kind of cancer. And I gather from the word lymphoma that it may concern some lymph nodes. Just like the one I have before…TB Adenitis…that I am glad I am cured…^_^

     So I looked up at Mr Google and here are some facts I gathered about this non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Any of a large group of cancers of lymphocytes (white blood cells). Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur at any age and are often marked by lymph nodes that are larger than normal, fever, and weight loss.

There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These types can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types, and they can be formed from either B-cells or T-cells. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include Burkitt lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, immunoblastic large cell lymphoma, precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include mycosis fungoides, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma. Lymphomas that occur after bone marrow or stem cell transplantation are usually B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and type of disease. Also called NHL.

There are many different types of lymphoma.

Lymphomas are divided into two general types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system.

Age, gender, and a weakened immune system can affect the risk of developing adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Treatment also differ in different types of lymphomas and the age of the victim.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in pregnant women is the same as the disease in non-pregnant women of childbearing age. However, treatment is different for pregnant women.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can occur in both adults and children. Treatment for children, however, is different than treatment for adults.

    In my next posts will be more additional information about these disease. Parts or lymps that are mostly affected, diagnosis or signs, and treatments. So hold on and join me in learning this disease..^_^

TB ADENITIS

I became sickly before especially in the months of 2007
and the early months of 2008. I've never been sick
before, but during the 2007-2008 I was so sickly
and been almost every week to the doctor for check-ups
and laboratories.

The check-up starts when I felt very itchy on my throat,
and it aches too. It was hard to swallow and I have a flu.
When I go to the doctor, I undergo different laboratories and
the findings is that I have a HYPOTHYROIDISM. For months I drink
medicines for hypothyroidism and undergo tests for that illness.
I suffered the pain and stress for thinking of the possible surgery.
I hate surgery and afraid of it, too. Then later, there were lumps
on the side of my neck up to my shoulder.

Painful lumps that I found it hard to laugh, breath and move
my right arms. It was increasing in numbers and and I'm really
afraid. I often leave work and my fever won't leave me.
I went to a different doctor this time. Undergo different laboratories
and tests too. The doctor said I have TB ADENITIS.

Hearing the word TB sent chill on my mind and heart. It really
feared me. I don't want to separate my things to my family. I love
sharing everything I have even things I used with my family.
And one thing, I'm so afraid to die skinny and I don't want to
cough and cough. I don't want to transfer that disease to my family
too.

The doctor said this is a different kind of TB. It was not a contagious
disease. Good thing I have a good immune system and powerful defense system.

I would like to give a few information about this disease since it
gave me realy fear that I have now overcome.

ADENITIS results in swelling of the lymph nodes, and is classed by type. Though one normally recognizes the lymph nodes at the throat, and perhaps at the groin, there are lymph nodes throughout the rest of the body. Location-specific inflammation of lymph nodes is referred to as a type of adenitis, with the main symptoms in all areas being pain, and possibly drainage from the swelling.

adenitis, also called scrofula, also affects the skin and particularly the lymph nodes around the neck. It can be easily diagnosed by testing for the presence of tuberculosis, which helps rule out cervical adenitis. Since tuberculosis is now relatively rare, this form of adenitis is as well. Symptoms usually include one or more masses at the neck, fever, chills, and weight loss. Untreated, scrofula progresses to open sores.

Treatment of scrofula involves antibiotics, and may also necessitate removal of one or more affected lymph nodes since the swelling can damage nerves in the face. Recovery rates from this complication of tuberculosis are high. In most cases treated tuberculosis adenitis does not recur.

Maybe i shall talk more about this disease some other time. But it's
really reassuring knowing that once treated it won't occur again.
I'm now healed and not going to suffer again.