Question-------------------------Mr. Cusumano,
I'm very sorry to hear that your cancer has returned. Although we've never met, this news makes me sad for you. But you can beat it again! You're so intelligent, and willing to help others, and this kindness will be rewarded. You'll get through this. I myself am NOT in the medical field. I am a 5th grade teacher. Just goes to show that no matter how different we are, we all have a common bond somehow. You're definitely in my thoughts and prayers, and I wholeheartedly believe that good things happen to good people. So I have a really good feeling about you.
Thank you for your encouraging words. I have not told my husband, but when he called me from work last night, he suspected something was up. Now, he's home from work and sleeping, so I have some time to think about what to say to him. He's gonna go out of his mind, I know it, but he's a very level-headed, intelligent guy--much like you. And I'm hoping he'll just want to attack this and have a positive attitude. As for my parents, and my twin sister...oh my God...Well, I have a lot on my plate right now, as you can see. I go from NEVER EVER being sick to this. I don't know what's in store, and I've chosen NOT to look up anything about it on the internet. I agree that knowing too much can be a burden. I'm thinking I'll just go to these doctors, the specialists you mentioned, and my doctor mentioned them as well. What's scaring me the most now is what the doctors are going to do. Now that I'll be seeing specialists, it's REALLY new to me. I'm serious when I say I'm never sick; this is gonna be so foreign to me. Thanks again for your kindess. Please know that I'm thinking of during your difficult time. ~~Jana
Followup To
Question -
-------------------------Mr. Cusumano,
Well, I went to my 2:00 appointment. I'm so scared now, I'm shaking as I type this. I told him all of my symptoms, he examined me, asked a bunch of questions, and then I had to go to the lab, where they drew a lot of blood. He just called me about 45 minutes ago, and now, I don't know what to do next. He suspects something called "non-hodgkin's lymphoma". I am supposed to go for a cat scan tomorrow morning at 9. He explained why he thought that's what it was. I'm so scared that I'm numb. What now? I can't go through this. I can't have this. I have a husband and a 15-month old baby. What am I gonna do? Please tell me what you think. I've never been so scared in all my life. My husband's at work right now; he's been working nights for the past 3 nights, and he starts working days on Monday. What am I gonna tell him? What do I do next? Thanks for ANY encouraging words you may have. You've been very kind. ~~Jana
281.420.9519
Followup To
Question -
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Thanks for your concern. I made an appointment, and it's at 2:00 this afternoon. I feel nervous, because I don't know what he's gonna do when I get there. But I will go, and keep you informed. I'm starting to feel worse, so I think this appointment is probably a good idea. I just wish I didn't feel so nervous wondering what's in store! Thanks again, ~~Jana
-------------------------
Well, the thing is, I don't know my primary care physician. I've never met him; I only know his name. So I feel a little uncomfortable--kind of shy--going to him. This is all a bit new to me. I'm NEVER sick. The most I've ever been to the doctor is during my pregnancy, when I was seeing my obstetrician. Is there anything I can do at home to get me to feeling better? Any kind of medication? I will do what you suggest, and I hope you can tell me what I can do for myself because I'm starting to feel a little worse; the pain is more intense. I could take more Tylenol, or whatever you think. (My fever has broken for now, but I know it will come back.) I would even go to see this doctor, but would really appreciate some hint of what he might do when I go see him. I don't like surprises, and as I said, this is pretty new to me. Also, what is a systemic illness? Thanks in advance for your help. I really want to start feeling better. ~~Jana
Followup To
Question -
I am 33 years old, happily married, with one child, a 15-month old little girl. I have had some symptoms that have been bothering me. I'll explain them the best I can. For the past two weeks, I have had pain in the upper part of the left side of my abdomen; it's a lot worse when it's touched, or if I move around a lot. I also think it's steadily gotten worse in the past 2 weeks. Also, for not quite 2 weeks, the very top of my thighs, right where my legs bend is VERY painful. There's also lumps on both sides, and the lump on the left side seems to be bigger. I dealt with those sypmptoms the best I could, but now, for the past 5 days, I've had fever, and I'm so tired, I don't even want to get up. I take Tylenol for the fever (101-102) but it won't go away! I'm NEVER sick. I don't know what to do. I thought I would eventually start feeling better, but I'm definitely NOT feeling better, and it's gotten to where it's hard to take care of my baby because I feel so bad. I've told my husband it's a cold, but I know it's NOT a cold. This is the worst I've ever felt. What else can I do to feel better? Should I take something besides Tylenol? Some other info you might need? I'm 5'6", 140 lbs, non-smoker, non-drinker, run 15-20 miles/week, always been healthy. Thanks in advance for your help. ~~Jana
Answer -
Hi Jana,
I would suggest you see your healthcare provider as soon as you can. Left sided upper abdominal pain with swelling in both groins associated with pain and the fatigue are serious signs and symptoms that suggest to me, a systemic illness. This needs to be evaluated. Please don't put this off.
Answer -
Hi Jana,
I appreciate your unease about seeing a doctor with which you are unfamiliar, but I really think that this requires that you put this behind you and see him. A systemic illness is one that affects the entire body as opposed to one that just affects a region (as in a localized infection). Right now, Tylenol and or Ibuprofen can help with fever and the aches that this is causing. Please keep me informed of the outcome of this visit.
Answer -
Hi Jana,
Thanks. You are making me very happy. Everything will be OK. It's normal to be nervous. Anything that you don't understand, just ask for clarification.
Answer -
Hi Jana,
This is what I was concerned you might have when you gave me your symptoms. It is completely normal to be confused and scared. You really have to go through with the workup in order to get a precise diagnosis. You should tell your husband everything that is happening. He needs to know so that he can be there for you when you go through the testing.
You may have already looked into this on the internet, so I will only say that try to get info from your doctor and trust his judgement about the disease, expectations and treatment options. If you get too much information from too many places, it will only serve to confuse and scare you more.
IF this is Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, there are treatments that will need to be managed by an Oncologist who will coordinate any chemo, radiation or surgical therapies. It is difficult to tell you these things and not make you more nervous about this; the suddenness, the disbelief and the incomprehension of it all, but the more informed you are, the better patient you will be. It is so important to keep a positive attitude about treatment as this is known to help the body in fighting the disease.
If it will help, I know what you are going through. I recently found out that my Prostate cancer has returned and I'm to start Radiation Therapy on June 1st. So, you are not alone in this. If you have any further questions or want to discuss anything, let me know. I may just refer you back to your doctor, but I can listen and possibly help you through some things.
AnswerHi Jana,
I appreciate your kind words and your good thoughts. I can't tell you how I've been worrying about you and this sudden change thrown at you. It bothered me as if you were my patient and I had told you this news. I would once again encourage you to go forward with testing and what ever treatment is prescribed. The days ahead will be difficult, no doubt, but not insurmountable. I know that from personal experience.
By the way, would you mind telling me in what part of the country you live? I'm in south-central Kentucky (by way of Colorado and New Jersey).
Please keep me apprised of events and I'm available for a chat any time you feel the need.
