Hi Cath,

You have been referred for surgery because this is getting bigger and is causing you pain. I know that it is frustrating to have had your surgery rescheduled twice. There is no way that anyone can detect cancer straightaway. We usually need scans and a biopsy to be certain. Your consultant will send the tissue he removes from  you to pathology to be examined. If there is anything untoward, this would show up.

I expect that this delay is because your consultant has had some definite cancer cases which have come up  and which he has to give priority to. In some ways, it is reassuring to know that he doesn't expect you to need priority care. The chances are that this is still a lipoma. Lymph nodes can swell up with even a minor infection. They usually settle down with time, although some can remain swollen, but show nothing untoward.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and had 6 lymph nodes removed, but founately, they were all clear. There are many others on this site that have had a similar experience. A lump can show up on ultrasound, but it can be difficult to be sure if it is serious untl the result a biopsy is known. Try to keep telling yourself that "it's not cancer until you're told that it's cancer." Have you got a date for your re-scheduled operation yet? I hope that it's soon.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you for responding. I hope that you are doing well.

I have a potential new date of 15.2. 
 

I think you read a few stories of people leaving it too late or misdiagnosis that I worry but then also have to think that I have to trust the professionals, trust the ultrasound scan and trust that it I has been examined by a consultant.

Cath

Hi Cath,

I'm glad to see that you have another date and to see that it's not too far away. You do read some scary stories, but these are mostly due to the patient leaving it too late to get diagnosed. Occasionaly cancers have been missed by the medical experts, but on the whole, they are pretty good at diagnosis. 

If your ultrasound or examination had shown up anything untoward you would have had surgery urgently. The fact that you haven't is reassuring. I'm sure that your surgeon won't leave you too long before he eventually removes the lymph node.

I sincerely hope that your next appointment goes well and that there are no further postponements.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Cath,

I'm glad to see that you have another date and to see that it's not too far away. You do read some scary stories, but these are mostly due to the patient leaving it too late to get diagnosed. Occasionaly cancers have been missed by the medical experts, but on the whole, they are pretty good at diagnosis. 

If your ultrasound or examination had shown up anything untoward you would have had surgery urgently. The fact that you haven't is reassuring. I'm sure that your surgeon won't leave you too long before he eventually removes the lymph node.

I sincerely hope that your next appointment goes well and that there are no further postponements.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you, take care yourself xx