hodgkins knowledge

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Hi,

I am graduating from a BSN program in December, and am trying to learn all I can about lymphoma/Hodgkins and NHL. I would appreciate any onc nurses that would take the time to read this and point me in the right direction. I feel lost! My dad has been having fevers/chills on and off for a year and symptoms that present just like an allergic reaction. Swelling in his face, itching, rash/hives. He also always feels like he has a cold (congestion/sore throat), is fatigued.

Last week, he thought his "allergy" episode (his primary care physician for 1 year has been telling him it's allergic responses) was getting worse and for the 1st time his "neck" was swollen. Looks like swollen glands but so big you can see they are swollen. He went to his allergist who finally sent him to a hematologist, and he ordered a CT scan of his lymph nodes (after palpating under his axilla and feeling them) and his spleen. The CT scan has come back showing "inflammed lymph nodes and spleen". They said his blood work for Epstein Barr came back normal. They did not mention if they tested for Reed-Sternberg cells which I understand are found with hodgkins.

I feel very uneducated about this but his constant itching and the palpable lymphnodes etc. are giving me this "gut feeling". I feel silly for saying it because I know so little still, but just from what I've seen and my family is telling me, it sure sounds like a possibility. Does anyone agree/disagree?

I would love some input from any nurses that know a lot about hodgkins. Thank you so much in advance.

P.S. The next step from the hematologist is to see him on Friday if the swelling in his neck doesn't go down (why wait til Fri?) and then possibly do a biopsy.

Thanks again,

Spec

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Hi,

I am graduating from a BSN program in December, and am trying to learn all I can about lymphoma/Hodgkins and NHL. I would appreciate any onc nurses that would take the time to read this and point me in the right direction. I feel lost! My dad has been having fevers/chills on and off for a year and symptoms that present just like an allergic reaction. Swelling in his face, itching, rash/hives. He also always feels like he has a cold (congestion/sore throat), is fatigued.

Last week, he thought his "allergy" episode (his primary care physician for 1 year has been telling him it's allergic responses) was getting worse and for the 1st time his "neck" was swollen. Looks like swollen glands but so big you can see they are swollen. He went to his allergist who finally sent him to a hematologist, and he ordered a CT scan of his lymph nodes (after palpating under his axilla and feeling them) and his spleen. The CT scan has come back showing "inflammed lymph nodes and spleen". They said his blood work for Epstein Barr came back normal. They did not mention if they tested for Reed-Sternberg cells which I understand are found with hodgkins.

I feel very uneducated about this but his constant itching and the palpable lymphnodes etc. are giving me this "gut feeling". I feel silly for saying it because I know so little still, but just from what I've seen and my family is telling me, it sure sounds like a possibility. Does anyone agree/disagree?

I would love some input from any nurses that know a lot about hodgkins. Thank you so much in advance.

P.S. The next step from the hematologist is to see him on Friday if the swelling in his neck doesn't go down (why wait til Fri?) and then possibly do a biopsy.

Thanks again,

Spec

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The American Cancer Society has a great website. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society does too. Both have a lot of info to offer on Hodgkins and NHL.

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The American Cancer Society has a great website. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society does too. Both have a lot of info to offer on Hodgkins and NHL.

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