Worried about lymph nodes

I’m posting on here as I am absolutely beside myself with worry. 13 years ago I found a lump on my neck- can’t recall it being after an Illness , had blood tests that showed no infection. Went to the drs and they sent me for an ultrasound. I can’t remember exactly what was said only to keep an eye on it. Adding to my anxiety now is I remember a previous ultrasound on a different node and she said straight away it was benign but the last lady didn’t say that or I would have remembered. It’s always played on my mind since and I’m now kicking myself I didn’t push for further tests.
I have always checked the lump and it hadn’t changed or got any bigger so I just carried on as normal. I did mention it a few times to drs when I went for various other things but to be told it’s tiny and it’s calcified. It does not feel tiny !
I have felt well and it’s never bothered me at all until recently. 
After Xmas I’d say I became more aware of it when I turned my neck or I was driving and I could feel it crunching almost. It’s always been moveable but quite hard- I’ve been feeling it a lot lately and it feels bumpy. About a month ago I had a bad sinus infection and a really bad cold and 2 more pea sized nodes came up just below my neck line - not quite near my collar bone. The right one is squishy to touch but the left is like a pea and moves around. I went to the dr who said to come back in 3 weeks - but that was 2 weeks ago and they are still there. 
the dr examined me and couldn’t feel any more in my armpits and my liver and spleen weren’t enlarged. He felt my neck and asked me where the long-standing one was but didn’t really mention it - I think he might have missed it as he didn’t feel that hard for it - it’s definitely there and from what I can feel quite large ! I also thought I had some at the bottom of my neck where my collarbone is around 3 years ago but they never bothered me and I can move then around. 
I have had a private consultation and am having an ultrasound scan as soon as I can book one but I am terrified. I never had a follow up appointment from my ultrasound and have been dismissed ever since by drs - I am scared that they have missed something and now whatever it is has spread and it’s too late to do anything as I’ve had it for so long. I have a 4 year old daughter and all I can think is I’m going to leave her and it’s heartbreaking. I can’t eat or sleep and it’s all consuming me. I don’t even know how I’m going to go for the scan as I can only think they are going to tell me the worst ! 
Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar position as I’m worrying myself sick over this 

  • Hello Vicky1986, 

    It's normal to feel anxious in your situation but try if you can not to imagine or anticipate the worst - I know it's easier said than done but so many benign conditions may well explain these issues. I hope you get some definite answers but in the meantime try to stay well away from the temptation to look things up on Google as this will only make you feel worse. It's important that you go to your scans and try and go without any expectations, don't imagine you will be told the worst - it sounds like you are being consumed by anxiety at the moment and hopefully it won't be long now until you get some answers and hopefully reassuring news. 

    There are countless members of this forum who have also been extremely worried before about their lymph nodes and just today I was replying to  who posted this thread and was in a similar state of anxiety to you so I think you two would have a lot to share with one another and I hope that you can support each other during this difficult waiting time.

    Everything crossed for you that it all turns out to be nothing of concern.  

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Thank you Lucy - I think the worst thing I have done is google as everything says due to where they are they are worriesome and usually point to malignancy. Now I feel I have other symptoms which I have just dismissed as niggles or muscular - I guess I will just have to see what happens. 
    Thank you for taking the time to reply