Hi,

Try not to worry I know it’s so hard not to. Last year I found a lump in my neck and it took 6 weeks for me to get a scan on it within this 6 week I was awful constantly crying I wouldn’t get out of bed I was not eating I was a wreck I thought I was dieing .when I had my scan I had to wait when I got told it was a benign lump. I thought to my self I’ve spent 6 week worried to death and even if it was bad I wasted all that time worrying and it wouldn’t of changed a thing. 5 month ago I found another lump under my chin i had a few health problems at the time so never got it checked till 3 months later coz it was still there , I’ve been having hot flushes and a bit of itching and only been refered for a scan today. I promised myself this time round I will not be like I was for them 6 weeks I’m worried and I’m on here to asking questions but I’m not in bed crying all the time..... Please ask for a scan on these lumps and if they think it anything on the scan they will do biopsy’s on these lumps. 

Its all one big waiting game. Xx

Hello,

I thought I would give an update.

We had an appointment at the hospital on Thursday, the Doctor found another swollen node on the other side of the neck, they thought about 1cm in size, groin and underarm still clear.  Some of the other swollen nodes have reduced in size so the range from 1cm-2cm in size. (Previously the biggest was around 3cm)

No further night sweats, last one about 5 weeks ago.

Gained nearly 1 KG of weight.

Still fit and healthy.

Because of the ‘positive’ things above they have said they are happy to wait another eight weeks before they do a biopsy, as the problem is classed as chronic and not persistent, even though they have already been there for a number of months.

I asked about the new node on the other side of the neck but they couldn’t/didn’t really give me much of an answer and just kept referring to the fact the other things are good signs. I hope this to be true!

They did say that if there are any changes they would bring the appointment forward.

So now I just have to sit and wait for 8 weeks and hope things do not get any worse, I am making myself bad constantly watching for signs that things are getting worse, constantly feeling the nodes and using Google as my Q&A.

Anyone with experience of this?

Anyone with any advice?

Thanks

x

Hello,

Just another update.

I received a copy of the letter that the Hospital have sent to the GP, this explains that there has been no infection, tooth work etc. so no explanation for the swollen nodes,  it also explains that they are sure the new node that they discovered had simply been missed at the original appointment, I am not sure this is indeed the case but I can’t say for certain it is not, so I have to accept this!

It also says that if at the appointment in 8 weeks, as still appearing fit and well, if the nodes are still reducing in size they will discharge from secondary care.

Of course I should be thrilled that they are confident enough to even think about discharge but I really do worry that I still do not have a diagnosis (Maybe I am jumping the gun as I still have 7 weeks to wait before anything happens) there are swollen nodes and night sweats for a reason, will I never get an answer?! I have read stories about patients being missed as the symptoms are limited.

Well, at the appointment they mentioned Pets and flea bites, coincidently we did get a kitten in lockdown, which in turn brought a round of fleas with it, I was so very paranoid about this and literally emptied the house from top to bottom and de flead everything! That put an end to that thankfully. I can only go with a rough estimate of times (as I have no exact dates when the Nodes became swollen in the first instance) but all very similar times so maybe, just possibly  a reason? Maybe/probably not? But as a parent I have to rule out every possibility so the kitten has moved into a friend’s house (hopefully temporarily ) so I can see if this has any effect on the swollen nodes, I feel so guilty on the poor kitten but I have to try everything.

x