Child has hard lymph node behind ear

Hi we are waiting for an ultrasound for my child who has a hard gland behind her ear. It’s on her mastoid bone. I’m so worried as she had a ct scan for no reason (very long complicated) so she had exposure to radiation before Xmas 2019 and she had leg pain a month ago. I feel awful as I don’t know when the gland appeared as she doesn’t let me do her hair much and I didn’t notice it. I just feel sick don’t know if there is anyone who has had similar a gland for no reason and it’s ok. 

  • Hello Redbootz, 

    I hope you won't have to wait too long for your little one's ultrasound. I can imagine it must be a very stressful time for you while waiting to find out more. Don't feel awful - I know myself exactly what it's like to have a child who doesn't let you do her hair so it would have been very easy to miss that hard gland. 

    I know it is really hard but try not to worry too much or anticipate what it might be. The best thing to do to avoid thinking too much about this is to keep busy and distracted if you can and avoid looking things up online. I can imagine it is hard for you to do this at the moment but it will help you feel a little less anxious. 

    I hope you will also hear from others here who have been through all this before and that they will be along soon to share their story with you. 

    Keeping everything crossed for you that everything turns out fine. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Lucie Thank you for the reply. We have an ultrasound booked for next week. It would have been three weeks since we noticed it then. I feel sick as I did google a lot and I keep checking it and it just isn’t going away. And it doesn’t move. I have taken photos but they all look the same. It just looks like a hard lump and what if it isn’t a gland and it’s an actual lump. I’m hoping we can get in sooner as the appointment is on a Thursday so hoping if they have a space we can be fitted in. I can’t help but worry so much.