My grandmother is a relatively healthy 86yr old with high BP(controlled w/medication) and hypothyroid controlled w/levothyroxine. She has a sister that 60yrs ago when diagnosed with hypothyroid was told she had cancer as well and they removed it. Her brother also passed having cancer of the esophagus. She lost 20lbs about 5 months ago after a bout w/what she thought was a terrible flu. She then 3 wks ago found a enlarged lymph node on the left side. Large enough that if it wasnt in the lymph node it would be a mass. She is still fatigued and isnt able to lift her arms above her head. she can only put them straight out in front of her due to the pain it causes. Her PCP ordered labs and a chest X-ray. And referred her to a doctor(she did not know if it was an oncologist. Upon his return from vacation 2wks later a biopsy was done with a pathologist present. They drew 3 samples and then left the room. Upon their return, the pathologist asked if she smokes, she responded no, he then asked ever ? In which her response was no again. He then drew 2more samples. It's been 8 days (we were told it would be 3-5 days for results) and 3 days ago she got another bout of the flu- even to the point ofdry heaving, she still experienced naseau, and her stools is black. I asked her if it looks like coffee grounds and she said no just black as tar. She is also very weak. My mother in law had lung cancer and a very large mass from shoulder to bottom of ribs(diagonal across the chest along with cancer in the lymph nodes) and has since passed after fighting the good fight. Even my grandmother knows that she is bleeding somewhere if her stoole is black. She is very weak at this point and her symptoms are beginning to worry me as my fear is that this is what I think it may be. She of course had the sore throat along with her flu(s) I understand I do not have results to give you in this narrative, but that is because they haven't given us any. Along with her brother, she has a sister pass before 50 due to cancer, but I was never told of what. Even an educated guess would help me immensely as I will be be the one she turns to if this is what I suspect. I do have experience in the medical field and I want to be prepared for the worst while of course hoping for the best. I appreciate your time and any advice you can give me.