Should I be worried about toddler with swollen lymph nodes?

[WhyTheHeckMe]

Ds will be 2 in January, 10 weeks ago we noticed a lump on the left hand side of his neck around 3/4 of the way around. It was the size of a marble and did not hurt him. We were told that as he was getting over chickenpox it will be a lymph node that had swollen in response to the virus and to take him to docs if it hadn't shrunk after 2 weeks.
We'll we've been back fortnightly now for 2 months and it is still there. It hasnt grown but it hasn't shrunk either.
The doctor last week referred us to a paediatrician at hospital but that appointment isn't till mid January so 2 months away.
Our worry is that we have noticed tonight on pics of today that a lump also seems to have appeared on his face, I'll try and upload a pic to show you.
I genuinely don't know what to do. I'm sure if the doctor was concerned we'd get an appointment sooner than 2 months away? Bit should this new lump alter thing's?
I feel a bit sick with worry tonight and just am after any opinions.
Thanks

[WhyTheHeckMe]

Hoping this shows what I mean

[furryelephant]

Please go back to your GP tomorrow and ask for an urgent referral. Lumps don’t frequently come up in that area that I’d know of, could be nothing but I’d be there first thing insisting on it getting looked at by the end of this week.

[lostfrequencies]

I’m not medical nor do I have any personal experience with this, but that said, I’d go back to the GP due to the new lump.

[hungryradish]

I would also say go straight back to the GP tomorrow... This is a new lump so changes things. Of course it could be nothing but better to check than wait two months!

[Fightthebear]

DS1 had a swollen lymph node in his neck when he was 2 that just didn't go away. After several months he was referred for blood tests, which came back clear.

The swollen node was there for years in the end, the dr thought he'd had so many infections it was permanently swollen.

Given the new swelling though I'd go and show it to the GP to see if the referral should be speeded up. I know it's a worry.

[WhyTheHeckMe]

Thanks very much, now I know I'm not stressing for no reason I'll be calling up the gp to get seen tomorrow morning. Will let you know what they say. Thnx again

[furryelephant]

Hope everything goes well trust your instincts, and if you’re not happy with their response, get another opinion until youre happy that it’s investigated fully

[Freezingwinter]

Yes please go and get that seem to. I would personally insist on being seen at paediatric assessment unit the same day, you can't wait until mid January to get this sorted. Good luck!

[WhyTheHeckMe]

Thank you ladies. Appointment is at 9.15am, will let you know how it goes :-)

[Freezingwinter]

How did you get on?

[Wormysquirmy]

Try not to stress as I know how horrible worry is. My middle child had lots of lymph nodes at the base of her head that were normal and I myself have had one on my groin for 20 years that won't go away.

The lump in face could be connected or different but I would definitely get checked in nothing else but to reassure you

[whosahappyharry]

I was going to say the same thing as a PP, insist on your GP making a referral to the PAU at your nearest hospital. Hope it went okay

[WhyTheHeckMe]

Afternoon, sorry for the late update I've been at work. The doctor was not concerned in the slightest, the lump had gone right down today although still there but he said the fact that's it's changeable and doesn't feel like any kind of a mass meant he was happy to stick with the he paeds appointment in Jan. Fingers crossed he is correct!
Ds is very fit and well, eats and sleeps well and doesnt complain of any aches or pains and the doctor said if anything more sinister was going on that would be an immediate worry but without those symptoms he said he is certain it's nothing scary.
Thanks again for all the advice it's much appreciated

[furryelephant]

That’s great news hope it’s put your mind at rest!

[Tanfastic]

A bit late to this but my ds had exactly the same at that age. He got fast tracked to the hospital within two weeks. I was worried sick.

We ended up seeing the top paediatric consultant at our local hospital who was very blunt and said "why on earth does your go think he's got cancer". He was quite rude actually and we felt like we were wasting his time but our gp was being proactive so I can't blame him.

Anyway the upshot was that it's VERY VERY common in children when they've had infection after infection at that young age for neck glands not to return to normal size. I remember ds' being so pronounced when he turned his head it made me wince.

Consultant didn't even bat an eyelid. No tests or anything.

Ds is 9 now and it's still there although as he's developed doesn't look half as scary as it did when he was little.

I really would not give it a second thought.