No words of wisdoms here, I am in exactly the same position my doctor fobbed me off with swollen lymph nodes a year ago and now have an emergency ENT appointment to have them checked. I also have a 16 month old baby and I am terrified, I'm not sure what to do, I

This is probably of no help.  I've had Non-Hodgkin lymphoma twice, the first time it was very advanced. I also had thyroid cancer which spread round my neck.  I'm very experienced in feeling tumours. All my tumours were hard & painless, not tender. Ive no medical qualifications but  I believe there are about 60 lymph nodes in the neck, lymph drains into the neck, so swollen glands in the neck aqren't uncommon & could have causes other than cancer. I had night sweats which were absolutley drenching.  The bed was saturated.. The sweating started when the lymphoma had obviously spread round my body, well beyond my neck.  I think it's important to persist with your GP while you remain concerned.  I had to report lumps in my neck for a year before my thyroid cancer was diagnosed.  Go on reporting your concerns until you get an answer or they go away.  I hope it's not a serious problem, but if it is, while the problem remains in one area the outlook is good.

Hi Reb, 

I know that many of our members would agree that this time waiting for tests,scans and results can be very difficult. It's really frustrating wanting to know the answers and inevitably many people turn to the internet for information. Unfortunately there is a lot of incorrect information available on the web and it can cause a lot of additional stress. 
You might find it more helpfu lto have a chat with one of our nurses. You can call them free from a UK landline on 0808 800 4040 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). 

In the meantime, try to take each day at a time and not to think too far ahead (easier said than done I know!). 

Best wishes, 

Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator

Thank you for your reply, I'm sorry you've been through so much, but very grateful to you for sharing it with me. I know Dr Google is not to be trusted deep down, but its hard to share the worry of what might be. 

I'm hopeful for both of us that it's nothing serious. It's such a terrifying thought. Stay in touch xx 

I .didn't explain myself very well & didn't mean to sound sorry for myself.  The trouble with Dr Google is that you get not enough information or too much.  Lists of symptoms which just say "night sweats" don't explain that it's not like ordinary sweating. In my experience without being particularly hot sweat pours out from every part & soaks bedding.  If you had night sweats you wouldn't be in any doubt about it. And I meant that there are a lot of reasons to have swollen glands in the neck.  I used to have tender swollen glands when I had tonsilitis. My tumours were different, As lymph drains into the neck anything to be disposed of ends up there, It may be difficult for GPs to diagnose lumps in the neck but I think they have a duty to investigate & make referrals when they don't know the cause  It shouldn't be a struggle to get a diagnosis. You're doing the right things apart from worrying. Even if there is a serious problem this site ought to tell you that outcomes can be very good! If you're interested, I posted some details of my history on the 'about me' page, click my username, & the nurses can tell you reliable things about lymph nodes.

Hi, I spent ages today chasing up my fast track appointment which was requested 2 weeks ago a d according to the gp means I should have been seen this week-ish. And turns out my request has been passed from pillar to post whilst they decide who should be dealing with it at the hospital. 

Anyway, after having a constantly achey neck and sore lumps (and one big hard now painless lump) I've booked in to see the gp again in the morning. 

I have definitely had night sweats a couple times but that could be caused by immune system trying to sort something else out I guess. 

My worst enemy is still Google. I'm on my own all evening in the week (OH works away Mon-Fri), and so I inevitably end up googling even though I know I shouldn't.

I've just been feeling the lumps again, the larger older lump which doesn't hurt is slightly moveable, it doesn't go anywhere as such but does move around when wiggled. The sorest lump is pea sized and hard, and doesn't move. Under that one seems to be another tender area, flatter and really tender to touch, just like swollen glands when you have a sore throat. 

Surely the amount it all aches and hurts it must be muscular and the non hurty one could be a knot?

It's awful that you haven't been seen by a consultant yet.  Perhaps you should nag your GP to sort it out. .  There;s a time limit hospitals ought to keep to.  Your'e bound to wonder about the lumps but must try not to let wondering be worry. Google is a mixed blessing. I wonder whether you've asked the nurses on this site or read Macmillan.  I find Macmillan useful, it gives enough information so you don't have to guess what it means but not so much information you believe you have everything it describes! My last check up showed that I'm anaemic & I immediately thought the worse.  Going through web sites was no help because there were so many causes & symptoms & signs I could have dozens of problems! I don't worry about things now. Don't worry is easier said than done but worry won't help.  Do something practical like nagging people. I hope you' get the consultation soon. 

Finally have my appt , it's on Tuesday. How long do they take with results?