Hi,
I made an account because I was getting a little tired of driving myself nuts.:cry:
In December 2020 I found a lump in my neck that just didn't go down. It's under my left ear. The thing is in 2015 I had a pretty stressful cancer scare which began with a lump on the right side and ended with a partial thyroidectomy.
So I tried to ignore this new lump, dismissing it first as just a swollen lymph node until February when I finally got the nerve to go the GP because it is hard and immoveable and didn't go away. Can't keep lying to myself and say it'll pass lol.
I told the GP perhaps it's just the same as last time a thyroid thing and benign but after examining me she said it's nothing to do with my thyroid or anywhere near it. Instead she asked me questions if I had any other swellings/Lumps, fevers and if I had an itchy scalp or skin.
That's when I realised she was looking for cancer symptoms (lymphoma) but she never did say the word. I know they won't say cancer this early.
The truth is, I have been really tired and I have had low grade fevers felt generally unwell but that really could be something else. It was winter and I don't get enough Vit D anyway. I don't have any other symptoms associated with lymphoma. And in my opinion that's not really enough to get worried bout so I didn't really the GP tell bout that.
The GP did however refer me to the ENT who booked me to get an ultrasound scan for next week and I've been good at staying calm (I think!)....until now.
I keep having awful flash backs about what it was like before with my previous cancer scare. The biopsy, the surgery, the waiting for results. It was a nightmare that was happening at an already awful time (I was at Uni at the time).
I know I should feel so grateful that my previous health scares were resolved and not let that impact me now but I don't think I have the energy to through this again. The wait. I feel weak and ungrateful and impatient :cry:
The questions keeping me up all night are: Is an ultrasound reliable way of telling the lump is anything to worry about? When will they tell me yes or no? What's the time line for a confirmed diagnosis for lymphoma? And what are the chances it's just a benign lump and I'm just driving myself nuts for nothing?
Any advice or stories about your own diagnosis will be so appreciated. Sorry for the lengthy post.
Best wishes,
Bee
