Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Health & Fitness => Topic started by: +paul on 16 June, 2012, 09:19:53 am

Title: Lymph gland removed
Post by: +paul on 16 June, 2012, 09:19:53 am
I have had a lymph gland removed this week from my groin (under local anaesthetic, but that's another story!), and I wondered if any of you have had a similar procedure. If so, based on your experience (and recognising everyone may respond differently!), did you have any issues with cycling afterwards, once healed?

I don't yet know why the said gland had decided to become "reactive" - that is still under investigation. I will deal with that issue at the appropriate time!
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: +paul on 19 June, 2012, 12:51:37 pm
Looks like I may be alone on this one! I'll post my progress in case someone else has the same issue in the future.

Anyway, I should have the dressing off in the next couple of days, and I am hoping to get out on the bike for a little test at the weekend (gently and not far!). The op didn't cut through anything muscular, so I don't think there should be any requirements to stay off the bike for longer.
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: BrianI on 20 June, 2012, 07:38:18 am
Sounds a bit sore, Paul!

Hopefully the investigation will find nothing untoward.  :)
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 20 June, 2012, 10:34:56 am
A friend of mine (notp) had some lymph nodes removed, I think in his groin, and did a sub-70hr PBP less than 2 years after the operation. He does have to be more careful about recovering after hard rides and tends to catch more infections.
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: +paul on 20 June, 2012, 07:28:44 pm
Thanks for your comments Brian. Actually, reading about some of the issues people are managing in here makes me feel like a bit of a fraud! I had my first day without dressing today, and I am hoping to get back on the bike at the weekend for a short ride before seeing the consultant again next Tuesday. I then need to get some serious miles in before the end of July in readiness for my first Audax (Clwyd Gate), subject to consultant advice of course.

LittleWheelsandBig - that sounds seriously impressive, and reinforces the fact I should "man up and get on with it!"  :)
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: +paul on 20 July, 2012, 12:39:39 pm
I went to visit to consultant: "pathology difficult - second opinion sought" and CT scan booked. Referred to haemotologist, and received the diasgnosis this week: "Follicular non-Hodgkins lymphoma".

Anyway, apparently I am lucky (really?!), as it has been identified at stage 1 (confirmation of staging following bone marrow biopsy a couple of days ago). Looks like I won't need chemo at this stage, but will need radio therapy, and there is a chance the treatment will eliminate it.

Still planning to have a go at the Clywd Gate on the 29th, if treatment hasn't started, and I am not advised against it by the consultant...
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: hellymedic on 20 July, 2012, 01:08:57 pm
Glad it's been caught early.
All the best for future treatment.
Don't be too harsh on yourself; these treatments can knock you flat. Give yourself every chance to recover.
Vecht family proerb: LET THEM WIN!
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: +paul on 20 July, 2012, 08:40:39 pm
Thanks for the guidance and kind words Hellymedic - I intend to take it easy, and follow the advice of the specialists 100%. As I don't actually feel ill, if treatment doesn't start before the 29th, I don't think it will be an issue to ride the Clwyd Gate. We have our holiday planned in the middle two weeks of August, but treatment will take a priority.

Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: +paul on 20 December, 2012, 08:22:52 pm
I am resurrecting this thread in the hope that one day someone else will be encouraged by it!

I have been through the radiotherapy at our local Cancer Centre - Clatterbridge. 10/10 for all the staff in there, and 0/10 for anyone who snipes our National Health Service. I can't emphasise enough how helpful and considerate the staff were.

I was lucky enough not to suffer from side effects, apart from tiredness. I did continue to go to work, and had the treatment late each afternoon.

I had another CT scan at the end of November, and last week the Oncologist discharged me back to the haematologist with a clean bill of health.  Long may it stay away! I am now looking forward to a break over Christmas, and to getting my bike out as the combination of lymphoma, long work hours and rain (not to mention 17 days in Japan) has meant I haven't been out much. May 2013 be the year I finally complete my first Audax event (I did 100km of the Clwyd Gate before my legs gave in).

Merry Christmas!
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: CrinklyLion on 20 December, 2012, 08:26:04 pm
What a splendid update to read :)  Happy Christmas!
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: Clare on 20 December, 2012, 08:28:27 pm
That is excellent news, have a great Christmas and may 2013 see your bicycle legs back on form.

Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 December, 2012, 09:02:04 pm
Gosh, reading a thread like this helps put things in perspective.... a better 2013 to you!
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: Wowbagger on 20 December, 2012, 09:05:32 pm
I've only just noticed this thread. It sounds most encouraging. I'd also echo Clare.
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: +paul on 20 December, 2012, 09:07:25 pm
Thanks everyone! Hopefully in 2013 I will actually get to meet some of you!

Happy Christmas to you all!
Title: Re: Lymph gland removed
Post by: TimC on 20 December, 2012, 09:08:17 pm
Excellent. May your recovery go in leaps and bounds, and may we soon hear of your cycling exploits!