Spiralling over toddler's bruises and night sweats

[Crawfish]

DS age 2 has woken up drenched in sweat for the last week or so. He's also lost his appetite and has spiked a few 39 degree fevers randomly over the last couple of months. Over the weekend I've noticed he's got quite a few bruises on his shins and knees. Just before bed this evening , I noticed he had a small red mark on his arm. Any of these things in isolation wouldn't concern me, but now I'm feeling absolutely sick with worry that it could be leukemia. I'm also almost certain I've felt his lymph nodes when I've been giving him his nightly bedtime tickles, and that they felt a little swollen.

I'm feeling really angry with myself that I'm only now just putting all this together. But at the same time, I'm wondering if I'm massively overreacting. I'm swinging between wondering if I should wake him up and take him to be seen now, and also telling myself I'm massively overthinking it all.

I plan to get him a GP appointment for tomorrow morning, but I'm absolutely beside myself at the moment worrying about it all. Does anyone have any wise words or can anyone share a similar experience?

Bump

Try not to spiral…you’re going to get him an appointment tomorrow and you will be seen quickly because he’s 2. Will keep everything crossed for you xxx

Absolutely get the GP appt in the morning but also try not to panic. There's also a chance it's just ordinary toddler stuff. Shins and knees get bruised when they learn to toddle and run. My DS has always sweated a huge amount at night.

Hey please don’t worry ! These things sound normal . I’m a mum of 5 so I’ve been through a lot !!! Kids sweat a lot in the night . My kids used to end up soaked through . Bruises are the norm on their legs. And mine also had petichiae now and then . You are adding 2 plus 2 and getting 10 !!! If your child is ill for a prolonged period and any of these issues exacerbate well then see the doc . If not , don’t worry !

When my nephew was diagnosed with leukemia he was very anemic and that made him extremely tired and short of breath, he could hardly walk much distance without stopping to rest. Any signs like that?
i would definitely take him to the GP. Toddlers do get a fair few random bruises and virus’s and I remember when my son was 2.5 he was a red and sweaty sleeper!

I really hope your little one is ok.

ah, don’t panic toddlers often have bruises and little marks on their arms/legs (because they toddle around and bump into stuff). His fever sounds horrible; I would take him to the GP in the morning just to check him over and see if they want to prescribe anything. But a sweaty toddler with a few bruises does not = leukemia.

I agree don't panic, get him checked over by the gp to be safe but each of those things in isolation make sense - mine sweats loads when sleeping, this is prime cold/flu season where loads of bugs are about and if you've an active child bruising on those particular areas make sense. So there's absolutely no point in worrying yourself sick right now with the information you have. But as a diligent mother, get him checked over for your own peace of mind. Hopefully you will get reassurance.

Definitely don't take him tonight. All you'd be doing is dragging him out of bed to sit in a waiting room of sick people full of germs for many hours, and ultimately it won't make any difference. Calling the GP first thing is a good plan, but honestly this all sounds like it could very well be entirely normal.

My preschooler sweats a lot at night and she's covered in bruises! Definitely get him seen, but please try not to spiral and no need to wake him. I'm in a Facebook group with someone whose toddler has leukaemia and the symptoms were much longer term and more obvious. Take care and let us know how you get on x

Don't take him tonight but definitely a good idea to get him seen tomorrow. It probably isn't anything like leukaemia but absolutely worth getting it checked out.

You are doing the right thing xx

Thank you all for your kind and reassuring messages. I'm feeling a little less panicked now, though still very worried. Were it not for the loss of appetite and random fevers, I would be less concerned. He's also never been a particularly sweaty sleeper either. It appears that he's just developed the perfect storm of symptoms and it's really got me very worried.

My GP surgery are usually very good at seeing little ones on the same day, so I'm hopeful he'll see a doctor tomorrow.

Not that it matters to me much right now, but I'm also 3 weeks in to a new job, and so I'm very much not looking forward to calling them in the morning to say I'll be in late...

Thanks again for the kind messages.

I hope you managed to see a doctor today OP
xxx

Thanks so much.

The GP directed us straight to A&E. My sweet DS had bloods taken (which he handled so, so well). Nothing sinister in the bloods, thank God. Looks like it's all just coincidental. I'm so incredibly relieved.

Took DS straight to Smyth's when we were eventually allowed to leave. He's now the proud owner of three new dinosaurs.

That's great news. I'm happy to hear that they aren't concerned and his bloods came back looking good!

Oh bless him that’s great news…..hope him nd his new dinosaurs have lots of fun…wishing you a better nights sleep x

Oh, good, that’s really reassuring.

Brilliant news 🎉 I hope he’s feeling better soon, and don’t hesitate to go back if he doesn’t improve x

Great update, so pleased they've found nothing sinister. What a worry it must have been.

Oh, that is reassuring! I think you deserve at least three new dinosaurs (or equivalent) yourself, OP. The journey to and the wait at A&E must have been awful and I bet you have been holding it together for your DS.