I have recently found an enlarged lymph node on my neck and have had a recent significant weight loss with no explanation. I went to the GP and they found a further enlarged lymph node in my groin. They completed an urgent 2 week referral to haematology as both of my parent have cancer. Father has lymphoma and is palliative. 2 days later I had a phone call to arrange an appointment which I could not attend as I am going on holiday. They have rearranged the appointment for when I return and it’s still within the 2 weeks referral time. My problem is I am booked in to have to bloods on Friday with my GP. I fly to Turkey the following day. I am worried in case bloods come back abnormal and I need to be urgently reviewed whilst im in Turkey or that I become unwell while I am away. Other than the enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss and fatigue I have no other symptoms and feel well enough to travel. I have also just returned from Spain 4 days ago and was fine when away then. Not sure if I should cancel the holiday or not but I could cancel attend the haematology appointment for them to say there is nothing wrong. Any advice is appreciated!!
Dear @RC85,
Welcome to the forum, I am sorry to read what you are currently going through.
This is a really tricky situation, can you reach out to your GP to ask what they think? I was going to suggest the bloods could be brought forward so you have the results earlier but I realise the week is already flying past and it is already Friday tomorrow.
I would encourage you to be cautious and seek medical advice around this to ensure you are fit to fly/travel.
Should you go ahead with your holiday, remember to update your travel insurance so you are appropriately covered just in case anything was to happen whilst away.
Do let us know how you get on, we are very much here for you and you can call us on 0808 2080 888 if we can help talk through this in more detail.
Best Wishes,
Heidi J (Support Services Nurse)
I could not get an appointment to discuss with the GP if I should go on holiday and the practice nurse who took my bloods on Friday could not confirm if I should go or not. I could not get any insurance to cover any undiagnosed conditions so if I became unwell with anything related to the undiagnosed condition I would not be covered. I did go on holiday and have took it easy while here. Although I have had food poisoning whilst here no other issues. My bloods have all came normal but the enlarged lymph nodes on neck and groin are still present with persistent unintentional weight loss, lack of appetite, fatigue and dizziness. Is it common to have normal bloods and still have a potential cancer diagnosis? I have the appointment with haematology on Monday but feel as though I am wasting there time and taking up an appointment someone else could desperately need.
You are never wasting their time. They are there to diagnose and support you. Answer your questions, reassure you. Always go with questions written down. Good luck.
Hi just thought I would provide an update for people who are going through similar. I attended the appointment with haematology today. It felt pretty rushed and after my appointment realised I had not explained all the symptoms I was having. I thought they would have examined all of my neck groin etc to feel for any further enlarged lymph nodes but they didn’t. They asked me to show them where the enlarged nodes were and felt them only. He said they are under 1cm and would not usually be concerned but because I have had significant unintentional weight loss he said he would do a CT scan if it would reassure me. He did not ask about any family history so I told him about my dad being diagnosed with lymphoma and my mum passing away from cancer with unknown primary. He did not ask ages of diagnosis or type of lymphoma etc. i asked if my symptoms could be down to another condition and he said he didn’t know and that I am a weird one? Not sure if he meant it was weird that bloods were normal but having b symptoms etc. Feeling a little deflated that I didn’t get the chance to explain my symptoms and concerns fully. I then received a phone call from the consultant tonight asking the date of my last period as he needed to inform the radiologist. I explained at the appointment that I have not had a period for years as on the mini pill but started to bleed/have bloody discharge since Wednesday which is still ongoing. I get the impression the doctor is doing the ct scan just to reassure me. Can lymph nodes under 1cm still be cancerous. I’m just feeling very confused at the moment.
Sorry forgot to add. The reason the doctor called about my period was to clarify ovulation or something and that it would be down to the radiologist to decide when to do the ct scan due to this. So the ct scan maybe delayed.