Lymph Nodes – Part 2
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Everything seems to thankfully be at a dull roar today. Both sides are swollen, but the pain and discomfort seem to be manageable. I haven’t heard anything yet about scheduling the biopsy yet. Looking back through all this, I am about 98% convinced that this is not lymphoma. I’m not sure what it is, but my gut is telling me that it isn’t lymphoma. However, I do think that the pain from the costochondritis on the right side is not just costochondritis, but we will cross that particular bridge when we get there.
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
I got more blood test results back today, my Neutrophils are low, which has been a roller coaster for me, as most of my historical results have me lower than a 3.0, including this one at 2.2. When you have low levels of neutrophils in your blood, your immune system is weakened, making it harder for your body to fight infection. This is called neutropenia or being neutropenic. If you get an infection while you’re neutropenic, you’ll need treatment and may need to go to hospital. But this is expected, as my Humira is designed to keep these levels low.
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia, which means that my immune system is too strong and is basically attacking itself. Humira (adalimumab) is an immunosuppressant medicine and can lower the ability of the immune system to fight infections or make an infection worse. It may increase my risk of bacterial, fungal, or viral infections that may spread throughout the body.
Humira is also classified as a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker and reduces the effects of a substance in the body that causes inflammation.
Immunosuppressants work by preventing your immune system from attacking healthy tissues and cells. Normally, the immune system helps to fight infections and other diseases, but sometimes it targets healthy cells in error, causing inflammation, pain, and other symptoms. Immunosuppressant medicines are often used in these types of diseases.
My Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels are super high, which is historically high for me.
When your blood has too much CO2, it means the body is not properly removing it (hypercapnia). Higher-than-normal CO2 levels in the blood could point to a health problem such as:
- Respiratory or metabolic alkalosis
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Hormonal disorders
- Kidney disorders
- Lung diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
I have already been tested for COPD, and Hormal disorders.
The Leukemia/Lymphoma panel shows no significant immunophenotypic abnormality detected, which should be a good thing, meaning that the panel didn’t detect any signs of Leukemia or Lymphoma. I’m not sure how reliable or definitive that is, but it is a result. Why do I say that? Because there is a huge disclaimer associated with the test as well as a statement that this test is not FDA-approved.
It does state that I have Anemia and Lymphadenopathy. I have known about the Anemia, which I have had off and on for the past 5-6 years now. Lymphadenopathy refers to the swelling of lymph nodes which can be secondary to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, autoimmune disease, and malignancy.
Well, hell, that just means that my Lymph nodes are swollen, ugh. And we don’t know why.
Thursday, September 21, 2023
The lymph nodes are making sure that I know that they are there and that they are swollen. At times it is difficult to swallow.
The doctor called and I have my biopsy appointment for next Tuesday (26th). It will be outpatient and from what it sounds like, they will be taking samples from both sides.
Currently, the right side is twice the size of the left and the left is about two times larger than normal.
Friday, September 22, 2023
Here in lies my concern, I have small cysts on each of my testicles that my urologist has been monitoring. And my gastroenterologist doctor has been monitoring a small cyst in my small intestines at the bile duct. They are not overly concerned by either. I’m on the “every six months” club for endoscopy. An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a long, flexible tube called an endoscope down your throat and into your esophagus. A tiny camera on the end of the endoscope allows views of your esophagus, stomach, and the beginning of your small intestine called the duodenum.
I’m in the “every three years” club for a colonoscopy, as they are watching several pre-cancerous spots in my colon. A colonoscopy is a procedure that lets your healthcare provider check the inside of your entire colon (large intestine). The procedure is done using a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope. The tube has a light and a tiny camera on one end. It is put in your rectum and moved into your colon.
My concern is if my Lymph nodes are swollen due to cancer, I hope it hasn’t metastasized and joined all the hot spots that are being watched.
