Unknown primary cancer

[Matthewdl]

My dad has had blood tests, X-rays, pet scans, biopsy and currently can’t find the primary cancer. His biopsy confirmed he has cancer. He has enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and chest.

Luckily apart from a husky voice he hasn’t shown any current symptoms.

this has been dragging on for almost two months now and I feel like it’s such a slow process.

He saw a specialist last week who said she book book him in for clinical trial in the city but after 6 days he has hasn’t even been contacted.

I find the communication in the health system very disappointing. 

He has decided to get a second opinion in the meantime.

We just want him to get treatment asap but it’s just dragging on and on.

Is there anyone who can help?

[LindaG]

Hi Matthewdl, that all sounds very frustrating for you and your dad. Is it lymphoma that your dad has? Getting a second opinion is a good idea. When I was diagnosed with non Hodgkin’s lymphoma it was 6 weeks for treatment to start after having had all the various tests. Hope you can get some answers soon. Maybe ring the specialist’s secretary to see if she can give you an answer regarding the appointment. 🙏💕Linda G

[Matthewdl]

Thanks for your response Linda. We don’t know what it is at the moment as they can’t find the primary source. 
The specialist rung this morning (6 days later) to say they are currently working out a program for him. 
How are you going with your treatment and recovery? What treatment did you have? Did you manage ok with it? Did you go on a food diet plan to help? Hope everything is going well as I always love the positive and stories that can give us all hope.

[LindaG]

Good that you heard from your specialist. My lymphoma was treated with RCHOP chemo which is a combination of 5 drugs. I had 6 rounds, 1 every 3 weeks. That was 2 years ago and the treatment was successful. I can’t say it was easy but it was worth it. There are lots of success stories on here! Your dad is blessed to have your support. 

[Matthewdl]

That’s great Linda. 
I am scared and have felt flat for the last 6 weeks since his enlarged lymph nodes were first found. My parents have always been very sociable and go dancing weekly. Dad also plays tennis.

They are scared of how this is all going to effect them and what’s to come. Luckily they both have the will power to avoid Dr Google…can’t say the same about me.

Did you go on a special diet or got any tips I can pass on?

Hearing from people like yourself and the success stories is the only way for me to feel any hope which is what we all need.

[LindaG]

Hi Matthew, yes it’s such a shock when you go from being healthy and fit and then get a cancer diagnosis.  My diet was always good but during chemo I had lots of protein shakes to give me some energy when I couldn’t eat much. I also tried to walk every day, no matter how I was feeling. We all react to treatment differently so you just face the challenges as they come. My husband and 3 children were so supportive and necessary for my recovery 🙏💕

[Jeanne58]

Hello, Does you Dad have any white or red patching in his mouth, upper pallet?sores on tonsils, cheeks, or tongue? I had no pain or symptoms when my Dentist found  a white leasion on my tonsil and white flat patching on the roof of mouth and tongue.  I had squamous cell Oral mouth cancer of the Oralpharnax. Or  Head and neck cancer. No pain and no idea I had it. Thank God for my Dentist who found it. It can and does spread quickly to lymph nodes in neck.  Just a thought.  Good luck! God Bless . 

[Matthewdl]

I don’t think so. How did you go with yours? How you feeling now?