They found a mass: How do you cope with anxiety and all the tests etc?

@loula- Not the results that we were hoping for. Were you put under? Although I knew that I probably had cancer it was still a big kick in the butt to hear the words. I know that there must be a million questions and some you don't know, to ask about all of this.

How can I help?

@loula Please remember that you aren’t alone in feeling your disappointment and you have a team at your back. Next Thursday will be unlike any experience so far, and ultimately the decision of where to go will be yours. But there is a wealth of experience waiting in the wings. As you arm yourself with the best information possible, don’t hesitate to reach out for additional thoughts from us to add to your arsenal. Peace, Nancy

yes I do not remember nothing, doctor said more than likely the 3cm mass is cancerous but should I get scared that it is in my lymph nodes or wait until doctor tells me the results Thursday of the biopsy, also said we would discuss options at that time. so much goes through a persons head that you feel so many emotions at one time you never thought about it is overwhelming. then you realize there are other people going through the same thing or worse and that's when you know your going to do everything you can to get through this mess. just found out the lady that lives across from me is 90 and has had lung cancer for over 2 1/2 yrs now, kids told me she got it from the war( VN) when they sprayed agent orange all over. you are a fabulous caring person thank you and any advise is helpful I also hope you are feeling well and if there is anything I can help you with I am here for you also.

@loula I feel like I just heard you thinking out loud, and what a healthy thing to do. The thought, “should I get scared that it is in my lymph nodes or wait......?” is totally in your control. How do you want to spend your time until next Thursday? Your choice. In our family we consider “is it time to worry?”. If we are still in control of what to do, the answer is an automatic “No!”. Consider this: In October of 2004 I was told my precursor to multiple myeloma had changed to the actual disease. But we could watch and wait until it progressed enough to need treatment. If treated then, the life expectancy was 3-5 years. My choice? Live in fear or continue life As. I. Chose? It was a wonderful 12 years in service, enjoying all the wonderful things that happen in growing families, but complying with periodic testing just to stay smart. I don’t have to tell you the benefit of my choice. You will have choices all along, just as always. Learn some coping skills and positive distractions to help yourself be and do what you want. I apologize if this came across as a “sermon”, but I do want you to know that you have the power to handle this. And you are off to a great start. With lots of support behind you. Peace, Nancy

Thank you Nancy for the advise, you have been dealing with myeloma for 12 yrs ? I also have mds it is in the red blood cell mine is called mds-rs-sld. Dr. giving me aransep injections to keep red count up. just got use to that and now another mountain to get over comes along.

@loula Actually my precursor MGUS started in 2002, changed to “smoldering myeloma” in 2004. Research into where the most was happening in 2002 took me to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. I have been with them ever since and my doctor there works with my local oncologist. I started treatment here in PA in June 2016 and in November 1, 2019 I was in a totally unexplained remission. Nothing short of a miracle. Over the years I have dealt with anemia and spine damage in addition to the arthritis that would have happened anyway. But I have been living with myeloma, not dying of myeloma. The more time that goes on, the more advances are happening. Myeloma usually does not stay in remission if you are fortunate enough to achieve that, but there are plenty of new treatments out there if/when it comes back needing treatment. The myeloma itself never goes away. You will keep meeting new thinking, new information, and new options as you are now. Maybe you can consider those things part of the journey rather than more mountains to climb, things that are expected along the way. Because the life that you can choose does not have to be focused on your cancer. Myeloma does not define me.
Today I am sitting here with my brand new little 6 lbs. 2 oz. one week old great granddaughter while her parents are unpacking in their new home. Yes, life is worth pursuing, life is worth enjoying. Not always easy, but always possible.
Make your weekend good! Peace, Nancy

@paanders, what treatments have you had for NHL? Are you currently in remission?

I'm glad to hear that your niece didn't delay seeking treatment at Mayo Clinic. If either you or she is interested, there is also a Thyroid Cancer support group here on Connect:
- Thyroid Cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/thyroid-cancer/

congratulations on the sweet granddaughter, you have a fabulous outlook on life and are very uplifting thank you. also are you on a stem cell transplant ?

All u can do is breathe in and out and know it will get better! Slow down and be in the moment. Search for humor...”I love Lucy” helped me!

@loula Thank you! She is our number 5 and number 6 will arrive in June. Loula, this is why I desperately want you to believe in yourself. Cancer cannot take from you what you don’t allow. None of know how our life will end, but we sure as heck can choose how we play the cards dealt to us. As for stem cell, no. Seems I was in the questionable age range. I had pretty much decided not to anyway after hearing my personal risks. So when it came time to start myeloma treatment, and I knew it was battle time, I said, “Bring it on!” And when I hit that surprise remission, I chose not to take the recommendations for maintenance treatment. They all give me side effects, so I decided to get the most out of the opportunity to be off everything. I’m not afraid of what lies ahead. Too much to enjoy in the here and now. Like my babies. 🤗 If treatment lies ahead, bring it on!
You too are in charge of you. And I believe in you. Peace, Nancy