Hey beautiful 

Whatever haooens your not alone. Please keep posting. You got this ok. Your stronger than you fee ️

Hello

I'm awaiting an ultrasound for a raised neck lymph node, I've been referred on the 2 week pathway, after waiting and watching for 4 weeks.  I had a telephone assessment yesterday with ENT and I'm feeling so scared, I feel so anxious that I sense that I can't swallow, this came on suddenly (I've had this on occasion before when highly stressed). I don't have any signs of infection

xx.  
 

Hey 

thanks for getting back to me! I've noticed mine changes size alot when I touch it too much it goes from being really soft and Mobile to quite hard when I keep pestering it. I've had this node come up for years when I get sick but this time my heads gone into overtime. The radiologist said it looks perfect was in the normal range just slightly bigger than my others. That it would almost be too small to biopsy but that's why I'm talking about today if there's any chance for it to be done! I really hope you're ok, this anxiety is so worrying an awful worst I've ever felt in my life xx 

Have you had any tests done? Please don't be worried and try think as positive as you can I'm really not doing good either! it makes you appreciate your life so much more doesnt it? Really sending you my thoughts xx 

Hopefully you will feel more reassured after the appointment, it sounds like promising news from the ultrasound. 

I have never noticed this particular lymph node before and my GP suggested waiting and watching for 3 weeks before referring me to the 2 week pathway. He was quite reassuring however the ENT (telephone appointment) used language like 'ruling out anything sinister' and that sent me into overdrive. Is your raised lymph lower or upper neck? Xx

I have an ultrasound a week tomorrow and I honestly feel completely overwhelmed with anxious thoughts, not all the time but when I allow myself too.  I've downloaded an audiobook, listened to podcasts, and keeping busy when possible.  If you are able to distract yourself it may help. I can't believe we have a bank holiday weekend approaching, for me that will be hard.  
I will keep you and all of us, in my thoughts and prayers xx

Hi Riley,

I am delighted to hear that you can swallow again. It's amazing just what symptoms anxiety can add to the mix at times like this. I am glad to hear that you can lose yourself in your audiobooks, as having a distraction does help the time to pass.

I shouldn't think that you'll have long to wait for an appoitment with ENT after you've had the ultrasound. Have you tried doing a jigsaw or some equally time wasting project over the holiday weekend? You can lose yourself in a project like this quite easily.

Don't worry about the ultrasound itself. It is a very easy and straightforward procedure. I had one yesterday. My appointment was for 10.10am and I was home for 10.30am. I now have the worrying 10 day wait for results.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine 

Did the radiologist provide any feedback during the ultrasound and did they aspirate the lymph node? 
The wait is so hard, I've received a text to say that my ENT follow up will take place a week after the ultrasound, so another 2 weeks to go.  I'm trying to remain calm and distracted (sometimes easier said than done). I may tidy the garage as that's a task I've definitely put off since I dropped a 5 litre tub of emulsion over me and the garage shelves. I think that will no doubt keep me busy for a good few hours. How about you, do you have any projects on the go? I love a jigsaw so may see if I can borrow/buy one xx

Hi Riley,

Wow, cleaning the garage sounds like quite a project!

My ultrasound was for my liver, so was slightly different from the usual breast scan. They were careful to angle the screen away from me and I was with my back facing the screen for some of the time, so they gave absolutely nothing away unfortunately.

I am trying to sell my business at present, so have plenty to keep me busy too. My first diagnosis was 11 years ago and my second was 10 years ago, so all surgery and treatment ended for me in 2017. I hadn't done a jigsaw since my children were young, but found it a pleasant way to pass the time.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Goodness selling a business must be pretty time consuming and  of course a distraction too. I will keep everything crossed for your liver ultrasound. I'm so pleased that we're all here to support one another through these anxious waiting times and keeping each other in our thoughts. 

I love to garden but I spent last weekend tidying and digging over the borders, given the change in the weather it seems sensible to keep busy and the garage needs my attention.  otherwise it will probably be walks, reading and listening to an audiobook. Xx

 

Hi Riley,

It's not the best time to sell, but I'm way past retirement age, so I need to get rid. I continue to contribute to this forum, because I got such excellent support when I was first diagnosed 11 years ago.

I love to garden too. If the weather was as good all the time as it was last week, then it would be no bother, but the temperature all this week has dropped cosiderably and more frost is forecast. I potted on a lot of seedlings last weekend and still have plenty more to do, so I'm hoping that it doesn't get much colder. They're still in the greenhouse at the moment, but it's getting somewhat overcrowded. I hope that your weekend passes quickly.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hey everyone 

so post appointment it was onlt 4mm my lymph node so not even enlarged?! But anyways I've said I want ful removal of the node for my peace of mind so booked in for that I really pushed to have this done. Then I'll get full peace of mind once and for all, hoping the size means it cannot be cancer if it's only 4mm? just praying it's all good news after I get it out xx

Hey everyone 

so post appointment it was onlt 4mm my lymph node so not even enlarged?! But anyways I've said I want ful removal of the node for my peace of mind so booked in for that I really pushed to have this done. Then I'll get full peace of mind once and for all, hoping the size means it cannot be cancer if it's only 4mm? just praying it's all good news after I get it out xx

Emily, did the ENT doctor provide reassurance and confirmed the diagnosis based on the ultrasound.  I can imagine you are feeling a little relieved that there's an agreement to remove the lymph node, were you given a timeframe for this?  Xx

Yes he said that it really couldn't be sinister it's so small and my constant poking at it makes it seem bigger than it really is! The ultrasound can pick up size and any malignant features but you know health anxiety I'm like it still could come back as cancer but if it's 4mm cancer it's the smallest cancer ever and only I would get it xx

I'm just really happy to have it out and to stop fiddling with it all the time will be a great way to feel better! Still really scared though xx 

Do you mind asking what size it felt like to the touch, I can imagine that parameters can feel blurred when it's irritated? The waiting is so tough, isn't it? It feels like being in limbo and everything is on pause xx

I'd say it feels like a pea size!  Or like a small jewellery bead and it's quite soft sometimes gets hard the more I irritate it. The waiting is awful but I'm just glad it's not very big as I had thought and like once I have it taken out I can start to move on whatever the outcome but I'm hoping good I really am Xx 

I really hope you're ok! I know when you wake up first thing in the morning you feel awful it's the toughest time for me it really hits me like this thing is still in my neck xx 

Thank you Emily

irs a lovely blue sky out my window and that makes me smile. I am trying hard not to get too anxious, although I recognise that I do have a few moments during the day. How are you feeling after the news yesterday, it sounds very promising?  I would say my lymph is about 1cm, but maybe not consistently so. I have stopped prodding it, as it seems to react to touch.  The ultrasound is a week today and it will be another week until I have the ENT follow up telephone appointment. Xx

It's lovely and sunny here too! it's such a nice day and I have two days off after tomorrow so I'm really excited for that:) but I'm feeling ok I have my moments throughout the day where I worry so much. But 4mm has to be good? Im just trying really hard to not think badly and just can't wait for the lymph node to be removed from my neck!! Please let me know how everything goes with you Xx 

Hey! 
checking in to see how things are going?? My anxiety is back again and really bad about my lymph node. 

Hi Emily 

Bless you, it sounded more positive following your consultation with the ENT doctor, if you can try to stay focused on that. Did they say when you will hear about the surgery? I have the ultrasound later this afternoon, I'm hoping and praying for positive news xx