Anybody Remember how I thought I had Lymphoma?

[ScatterPlot]

found a pic-

[Cameo]

The pic of the MRI is a bit older. Most hosptials now use a open MRI which looks a little like a donut. The Main thing with MRI is you must stay complelty still for the duration that they are getting the "magnetic pictures". It takes the shots in different cycles of about 2-3 minutes and at times you can have 15 or more cycles. They normally sedate children for such things. But I have found that the sounds that the MRI puts off are a bit soothing(but loud) and put you to sleep, so sedation isn't really needed.
Good luck
~steph

[TheDuelist]

I've had a coupe of MRI' done when I fractured my neck. They aren't anything to be freaked out about if thats the case. I definitely agree the noise put me to sleep which was nice because I am claustrophobic and was in the type shown in the pic above. The sound was very soothing while I was in there. The images that come out are really cool. Good luck with this and keep us updated on your progress. I hope all goes well with whatever treatment you decide on.

[SSMercury]

Guys, it's his body, let him make his decision of surgery or not.

When I was being treated for testicular cancer 3 years ago (wow, 3 year anniversary of my diagnosis is Sunday), I REALLY regret taking chemotherapy. Sure, it PROBABLY killed some left over cancer cells, but the damage caused by the chemotheraputic agents (namely, Bleomycin) to my organs is still unknown. Neurological breakdown, reynaud's syndrome, these are things I have to live with for the rest of my LIFE (only 21 now). The surgery already removed the turmor, and all tests were clean afterwards pre-chemo.

They also wanted me to do a lymph node dissection, which is a long and complicated surgery, of several hours ON THE TABLE (This is an 8+ hour procedure) involving the pulling of 20-30 lymph nodes from my left testes up the inferior vena cava and the artery nearby, to almost the kidneys. These are the two largest bloodvessels in the human body, there's lots of nerves. Basically, even though doctors wanted me to do it, it wouldn't mean much of a damn thing except tell me for sure if they were cancerous.

If they were, we'll the next thing would be to assume I'm screwed and going to die. If one chemo course of 6 cycles didn't kill it, chemo is considered ineffective, can't treat with radiation or surgery since they wouldn't know which. If they HAD been clean, I'd have gone through a MAJOR surgical procedure just to know I'm clean.

I decided that not knowing whether I'm clear of cancer or not is not worth the risk of the procedure.


Good luck with it.

[PissedGodzilla]

Guys, it's his body, let him make his decision of surgery or not.

When I was being treated for testicular cancer 3 years ago (wow, 3 year anniversary of my diagnosis is Sunday), I REALLY regret taking chemotherapy. Sure, it PROBABLY killed some left over cancer cells, but the damage caused by the chemotheraputic agents (namely, Bleomycin) to my organs is still unknown. Neurological breakdown, reynaud's syndrome, these are things I have to live with for the rest of my LIFE (only 21 now). The surgery already removed the turmor, and all tests were clean afterwards pre-chemo.

They also wanted me to do a lymph node dissection, which is a long and complicated surgery, of several hours ON THE TABLE (This is an 8+ hour procedure) involving the pulling of 20-30 lymph nodes from my left testes up the inferior vena cava and the artery nearby, to almost the kidneys. These are the two largest bloodvessels in the human body, there's lots of nerves. Basically, even though doctors wanted me to do it, it wouldn't mean much of a damn thing except tell me for sure if they were cancerous.

If they were, we'll the next thing would be to assume I'm screwed and going to die. If one chemo course of 6 cycles didn't kill it, chemo is considered ineffective, can't treat with radiation or surgery since they wouldn't know which. If they HAD been clean, I'd have gone through a MAJOR surgical procedure just to know I'm clean.

I decided that not knowing whether I'm clear of cancer or not is not worth the risk of the procedure.


Good luck with it.

Did you talk to the doctor about this, because there are alot of great treatments out there if there is cancer in your lymphatic system. once it spreads from there, lung, pancreas.... The treatments are bascially not effective.

I am just giving you my opinion. I am a cancer researcher in NYC @ ImClone. It's my job to know this stuff.

RFK, this type of tumor is not at all uncommon, but the fact that it is in such a narrow space of your body, surrounded by CRITICAL pathways (Nervous system, carotids and jugulars) That standard practice is to resect these tumors. It will leave a scar on your neck, but since it is benign, it will MOST PROBABLY not return, and you will never have to say you died because you didn't take care of a tumopr in your neck.

also, chicks dig scars...

Hope this helps

[RogueFactoryKid]

I posted a little premature with what the doctor had said it would most likely come back as. After the catscan results got back to him he said I just have a longer then normal bone (I get that alot ) in my neck. He says he has seen things like this before and that it is only a high chance its not a tumor but all the tests show it is just a bone.

[cockerkiller68]

I would recommend getting two different doctors opinions!! My friend just had his Spleen and Pancreas sp? taken out last week because of a small tumor. First doctor said no, second said yes. They found out that it was bigger than they expected.

Just get a 2nd opinion

[Automaggot68]

It wouldnt be like a pinata because its only about the size of a grape but as hard as a rock. So the candy must be chiclets or something.

No no, it's a family guy quote.