Hi. Two months ago, my primary doc saw weird numbers on a routine blood test and referred me to a nephrologist, who ordered an ultrasound that showed an atrophied kidney, so she then sent me to the urologist, who ordered a CT scan that showed a retroperitoneal mass, so she sent me to a surgeon, who sent me to the interventional radiologist for a biopsy (WHEW!). I just got the phone call with the diagnosis of small B cell lymphoma and will see the oncologist next (in a couple of weeks).

I am freaking out! I’m not that great at being patient, and I don’t yet know the stage or any treatment options/plan, so my questions are pretty amorphous at this point, but I would appreciate any advice. The mass took out my right kidney so I also have Stage 3 CKD, but my nephrologist reassured me that the two won’t really impact how either is treated.

All this in 2 months. I’m 70 and until about 6 months ago I was quite active (walking, hiking, doing Zumba). Now my exercise is mostly walking and I am just looking for suggestions on how best to approach this whole thing for maximum sanity, and any questions I should ask, things you think are good to know or do when first diagnosed, etc. Thank you in advance, I am grateful for this group!

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