Hi. Im 50, bn on watch and wait for 7 years with steady declining blood results. In Nov, my white blood cell tanked but recovered.
My question is quite vain. Im single, i teach graduates, and am on zoom most days.
My main symptoms apart from immune system, is large glands, particularly on my jaw line, neck and face.
My friends think im over sensitive but i feel like the elephant lady daily.
I cant imagine meeting a potential partner as im so self conscious.
Can the larger glands be removed electively?
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Hi @Fmorris welcome to our support forum.
A good question and perhaps one for your specialist nurse or medical team
However I will copy it to the Blood Cancer UK nurses for you @BloodCancerUK_Nurses
The main thing is that you are very kind to and look after yourself, please do keep posting how you get on.
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Good afternoon @Fmorris,
Thank you for your post.
We are sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
Could we ask if you have seen your haematology team recently? & if they are aware of the swelling in your neck?
We would recommend giving them a call about this, especially if these are new swellings or seem to be increasing in size.
You could speak to your team/ clinical nurse specialist about how you are feeling and they will be able to provide you with the best support and options about steps going forward. They may offer treatment if these are particularly bothersome.
If you would like to talk through any of this, please give us a call on 0808 2080 888
Take care,
Emma (Support services nurse)
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Yes. Team are aware. I just wondered if anyone had experience of elective surgery.
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Hi Fmorris,
I’ve just logged on to ask the same question and saw your post.
I’ve been on watch and wait for 10 years, bloods been stable for the past few years but in recent months I’ve developed a huge lymph node. Mine is in my groin, not my neck, but I am self-conscious about it as a female who likes swimming..!
I have mentioned it to my consultant. She said that radiotherapy is possible to shrink the node but that she doesn’t advise it for purely aesthetic reasons as it comes with risks. She wants me back in 3 months to see it again.
I know that each of us has a very different situation so that may not apply to others, but thought I’d share in case it is helpful.
I’d be interested to hear if you’ve found a resolution for your node or anything that helps. Is yours uncomfortable? Mine isn’t really but I can feel it there so am constantly aware of it.
Wishing you all the best,
Firefly
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Well unfortunately my enlarged glands were a symptom of disease progress. I ended up in hospital last weekend with Splenic Infarction. Start chemo once once some further tests back. My regular visit to haematology would not have found my spleen issue anyway as my blood isnt alk thatbad. So do take care everyone. Get everything checked.
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Hi @Fmorris
I am so incredibly sorry to hear this news. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us, even while you are going through such a difficult time.
It’s heartbreaking to hear that your enlarged glands were a sign of your disease progressing. I completely get how overwhelming it must feel to be facing chemotherapy after all of this.
Thank you for that very important reminder to everyone: to be vigilant and get everything checked. Your point about your blood work not showing the full picture is helpful warning for us all.
We are all thinking of you and sending you strength for the tests to come and the start of your treatment. Please know that we are all here to support you in any way we can. Wishing you all the very best.
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Hi Fmorris, thanks for sharing. Hope you’re doing ok, we are thinking of you. Wishing you all the best with your treatment x
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