Hello there,
I was diagnosed with high grade non Hodgkin lymphoma in January this year ; I’ve had six rounds of chemo but a recent PET a scan showed tumours remaining. This week I’m to have biopsies and am anxious about it as had a bad experience last time . Has anyone else had biopsies in their abdomen ? My name is Phyllis and I’m Scorttish
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Hi @Carlow48 I am glad you have found our forum.
I hope others can share their experiences.
The Blood Cancer UK support line is there for you on 0808 2080 888.
I find if I am anxious it is worth telling all my medical team beforehand it can help me and them.
Please do let us know how you get on and really look after yourself, I look forward to hearing more about you.
Hi Phyliss, @Carlow48 ,I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (FNHL) in 2018. To help with my diagnosis, I underwent several biopsy procedures, including CT-guided biopsies, bone marrow biopsies, lymph node biopsies, and a full abdominal dissection. I spent a couple of days in the hospital after my abdominal biopsy and had stitches from just below my bra line to just below my belly button. I joke it was my tummy tuck. It really wasn’t too bad. If you have had a cesarean section I imagine it to be much like that. I was up and walking in days and my scar is just part of my ever increasing war wounds. My team did try to get a sample through needle guided CT first and they might try that with you , that was painless and just involved me lying still on the table, face down and going in and out of the scanner, I think I fell asleep ,whilst the team tried to get a sample from the right place. Unfortunately for mine was not accessible despite trying, hence the surgery. Like @Erica said always explain your concerns your team can help they can offer you reassurance, some people like me, like to know whats happening it helps, others would rather not know anything, so its about finding what works best for you. I think the important thing is to focus on this is a means to an end and I think about it as all part of my road to recovery. Wishing you all the very best.
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Hello there Jules,
Thank you so much your uplifting message, I actually read it just before I left for hospital this morning. I had blood tests first thing and then three hours later,I was told that my bloods showed low neutrophils which meant I was at high risk of infection so the biopsies couldn’t go ahead. I couldn’t account for that as hadn’t been in contact with anyone with a cold etc , however, five days ago I had a vaccination for the RSV virus which is respiratory so wondered if it was that . I was disappointed to say the least as was hoping it was the next step forward. Instead I had a ct scan with dye so that they can have another look . I’m hoping to hear about that soon 
Many thanks again for taking the trouble to send me a message
Kind regards
Phyllis
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Hello Erica,
Thank you for,your kind message which I read this morning before my appointment. You’ll see my reply to Jules on the Forum so you’ll know what happened today . I had to look up the meaning of neutrophils! I will keep you informed about the next steps, I felt so reassured by your words as I didn’t know anyone else with blood cancer. A friend put me in touch with a neighbour of hers who had non Hodgkin lymphoma , this was when I was diagnosed, this kind lady told me she had six rounds of chemo, didn’t lose hair then got the all clear ! I expected to be the same as her !
One plus about today is that the other patients in the ward, none of whom had lymphoma , all complimented me on my wig ! So not too bad a day after all !
Many thanks again
Phyllis
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