Hello  

I'm Kelly, 33 and a long time lurker. I've used this site many times as I have lumps in my breasts (fatty lumps), cysts in my ovaries and have all caused me major anxieties before having the checked. I found this site in the meantime very helpful and I do try to keep away from Dr Google, but alas, I always allow curiosity to destroy me. 
 

I also wish to document my experience for others as well as seek any kind words/advice along the way. 
 

7 weeks ago I was heavily pregnant with my now 2 week old girl, and noticed my left gland was swollen, I don't remember any tenderness but I must admit I wasn't overly fussed as I put it down to a pregnancy symptom. Fast forward to last week, my husband was rubbing my neck and noticed the lump was still there, having a newborn sets my mind into overdrive and I instantly start prodding and it is only on one side, hard, painless and sits halfway between the ear and chin. 
 

seen the most lovely DR who says as I haven't noticed a growth (I can't remember the size initially and feels about 2cm now) no other symptoms (I'm recovering from childbirth so symptoms are similar but confident it's from having a newborn and children!) that she isn't overly concerned it is nessecarily anything sinister. Which I do find reassuring. But you know how our minds can get, thinking we know better than an experienced trained dr! I had bloods done which this morning I've been told my inflammation markers are slightly raised and to do a repeat in 2 weeks, now, I had a c section so could this be a factor? 
 

im on a waiting list for an unltra sound hopefully in 4 weeks or so...so we can establish if it's a cyst, swollen lymph node or if it needs exploring further, so I'm being really well cared for, but I just wish my mind could switch off. Doesn't help that my cousin has just been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and that was from some lumps in his neck! His outlook is positive thankfully. 
 

I will keep this updated, I'm worried but also I've got to try and stay positive and realistic as I've had my fair share of expecting the worst and it being something harmless.
 

thank you for reading and take care, Kelly