I’m worried that my child has lymphoma

So I noticed my son had a lump in his neck on the beginning of November. Since then, there has been multiple other nodes that have grown around it and are now sort of a cluster. River has had a temperature every few weeks lasting a few days/nights.. up until recently where my worry gets worse. he also has suffered night sweats where he will Drench the pillow and his pyjamas etc. 

He had bloods taken a month ago which they said at first they showed signs of infection, then said it wasn't infection it was raised platelets, then I got told off a receptionist that his bloods were absolutely fine when I rang 3 weeks ago due to my son being poorly. 

so last week we ended up in hospital for 5 days due to river spiking a temperature only at night which lasted for almost a week in total. They took so many bloods. I know that some came back abnormal and also he had a swab and it came back he also had rhino virus at the time. So his infection markers and inflammation markers were high, these are the only ones I actually know of at the moment and that his d dimer (blood clotting test) was also very high and increased over the days we were and tested for his blood. 

The temps finally stopped and they said if they did for 48 hrs he could go home.. river had an ultrasound before coming home as they said if they were reactive they would give river antibiotics to take home, and the person doing the scan said they were lymph nodes I could see (which I already knew) and that was literally it. ENT said they were happy for us to go home and we were not given any medicine. Before being discharged we were told he has to come back to hospital to see a paediatrician which they made an appointment for exactly a week from leaving. 

now I know with my grandma and nana both having cancer, you have a 2 week referral time if they want to investigate, and I'm not saying that in any way my son has cancer, however I'm so worried with the fact they've made an appointment within 7 days and all the other children were just being discharged. 

Although I'm worried, I do want answers and I want them to investigate this but if they had suspected on the ultrasound something concerning, surely they would have said at the hospital anyway? Anybody been through anything similar would be helpful.. you will not worry me more, I just need advice and help to think why they possibly want to see him so soon. 

thank you x

  • Hi Mummylove and welcome to the community.

    I'm so sorry about the symptoms your son has been contending with over the last few months and that he recently had a short stay in hospital. This must have been very stressful but I'm glad his night time temperatures started to go down and he's now back at home.

    I know it's tough but try not to read too much in to his next appointment being a week away. There could be numerous reasons for this so try, if you can, not to think or assume the worst.

    So many of our members know how tough this time can be so I'm sure you'll receive some support and advice from them soon but in the meantime, I hope the tips and advice given in this article on how to cope with waiting for news will help.

    Wishing you all the best for next week Mummylove and fingers crossed for good news.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi, no advice but just wanted to say that we're in a similar situation.

    I took my 2 yr old daughter to the doctors a few weeks ago for enlarged lymph nodes which had been there for months,, tiredness, gone off food etc, paleness. They took bloods that came back abnormal abc with lymphosytosis, which I've been told if persistent in her blood can be an early warning sign or lymphoma or leukemia. She had her bloods repeated a few weeks later and they were still abnormal. She was then referred for a scan on her lymph nodes which we had yesterday... all we were told is yes they're enlarged lymph nodes. She got a referral to a pediatric consultant this morning and I'm thinking the work and I'm really worried it is cancer. 

  • I really hope everything is ok for you and your daughter! It is very worrying.. my son had repeat bloods yesterday and has been referred to a paediatric oncologist, however; the appointment is in April so I'm guessing they don't think there is anything to worry about. Please let me know how you get on.