saraeli said...
Re: biopsy, I am sure that I would never be able to talk a provider into testing a sample for anything other than lymphoma or other cancers. (I like Garzie's idea of testing for Bartonella that way, I just don't think it would be an option for me, based on the dismissive and derisive response from doctors when I bring up tick-borne infections.) Ruling out lymphoma would be great, though, so you could just assume it's an infection, relax, and dig into treating the infection.
i know what you mean Sara - but its important as different stains are used for differed bacteria with histological processes - and bartonella does not take most of the typical dyes well - so you can get false negatives. Warthin-Starry stain is one stain that can be used for bartonella and some of the silver stains too
these days they might be more likely to do a PCR test on the lymph tissue - and this a good test for bartonella and would be useful in this case
often you get resistance if you try to tell medical staff anything - especially if its along the lines of a self diagnosis - it can be more productive if they think they came up with the idea - for instance you could tell them you became ill and the lymph nodes on that side became painful after a cat scratch or bite - and see if they join the dots themselves
as an example - i have had very different responses from doctors - who might roll their eyes if you say "i think i have Lyme disease" vs "i have been ill with fevers, skin rashes and fatigue ever since i was bitten by insects on a picnic on farmland several years ago"
in the first instance they seem to see it as their job to persuade you that you are mistaken and wasting their time -
in the second they see it as their job to solve the puzzle - or at least consider the possibility that it could be something connected
hope its of some help