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How do I tell if increase in illnesses is due to lymphoma
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (9)Comment receiving replies
@besthiker I only ask because I was under incredible stress at work which I believe weakened my immune system and hence the appearance of the Primary Cutaneous extra nodal Marginal Zone B-Cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a single isolated 1 cm tumour which was growing from 2012 to 2022 when it was surgically excised September 2022, by my Consultant Dermatologist - it started out as a minuscule red dot 🔴 with a circle ⭕️ around it, I was initially informed it was a Basal Cell Carcinoma which I would have MUCH preferred it to be!! My immune system let me down back then.
Do you have a stressful job?
Nothing since, now 3 years and 3 months later. But I’m very jumpy about the tiniest little red spot now and feel as if my world has changed forever! I am very sad.
Hope all is well with you.
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@steiner Hi Scottie, I know what it’s like to have a life altering diagnosis. It does feel like your world has changed forever…and basically it has but not necessarily for the worse, it’s just different. You were diagnosed, treated, recovered, still here and healthy! You were basically given a new starting point for your life, cancer free and ready to move on. But it’s a challenge to leave that baggage behind. I’ve been there! It’s important to not let that experience define you. Yes, it is part of who you are now, but it also can propel you to start living a more liberated life! I joke now about “living life like they left the gate open.” But that’s the feeling I have! I don’t waste a moment.
From what you’ve mentioned, you’ve been in remission now for 3 years, 3 months. If I can give you one piece of advice as a survivor of an aggressive blood cancer and bone marrow transplant, start living your life again without looking back over your shoulder. IF something develops Then you and your doctor will take care of it! But it may never happen! So any amount of time you give over to worry about ‘what if’ is absolutely wasted time when you could have been enjoying life to the fullest! I’ve posted this before, but it’s one of my favorite quotes that resonates with so many people:
Fear does not stop death. It stops life
And worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles.
It takes away today’s peace.
So I hope you’ll take that to heart in the beginning of this new year! Start living your life happy to be alive, happy to see each morning’s sunrise. Find joy in the little things. I hope your life is less stressful now. What are your favorite activities? Do you have family, pets, hobbies?