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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be frightened for my daughter?

40 replies

SOTY · 08/07/2022 20:50

DD is 6 and has just had a biopsy carried out on a lump on her shin.

backstory is that I noticed the lump a couple of months ago, the GP x rayed it and then said it was a lump of soft tissue above the bone. They weren’t that worried but wanted to keep an eye on it so to bring her back if it wasn’t gone in a week. Took her back in, lump was still there and GP happened to find another lump on her other shin, exactly the same as the first but smaller. She thought this was a good sign, less concerning. She was then referred for an ultrasound. The doctors at hospital said they couldn’t tell if it was sinister or not so wanted to do an MRI which they managed to do the same day. At this stage, they said it would be an MRI followed by a biopsy the following week.

Anyway, we are now waiting for the biopsy results which we were told would take 7-10 days. Currently day 8 so I’m hoping we’ll hear back on Monday.

I’ve just hit a point now where I’m sick with worry about this and can’t help but fear the worst! The waiting is horrendous!

In the mean time, there’s another lump that has appeared on her ankle.

Ive tried to Google but can’t find anything similar, where there are lumps on both limbs. The lumps are movable and painless and haven’t grown since being found (well, certainly not anything noticeable).

The doctor at the hospital did say to me that they looked at the relationship between the lump and the surrounding tissue and that looked okay. This is the only piece of information he gave me and was only because I asked. I live overseas and don’t speak the local language here so that’s been an obstacle to getting information. Anyway, this sounds hopeful, but I keep reading that biopsy’s are to confirm a diagnosis that is suspected following MRI.

Sorry for the rambling post, I’ve just hit my limit on what I can deal with and don’t know what to do. 😢

OP posts:
Belephant · 08/07/2022 20:57

I'm sorry, this sounds so stressful, I really feel for you!Flowers

I'm afraid I'm pretty clueless about this type of thing, but I didn't want to read and run.

I don't know what type of lump you mean, but if it helps, I've always had lots of lumps under the skin in different parts of my body since I was about your daughter's age. You can't see them but you can feel them, they're smallish, hard, moveable and painless. I've had them checked out years and years ago and they're totally fine, I can't remember what they're called now. Sebaceous something or other maybe?

DH has a small fatty lump on his shin too, you can see it sometimes and his is a lot softer than mine. It's also been checked out and is totally fine.

That might all be totally irrelevant but I thought I'd say it in case it helps x

Original poster
SOTY · 08/07/2022 21:02

Thanks for the reply @Belephant

The lump on one shin is visible, the one on the other isn’t. The lump on the ankle is also visible.

I really appreciate your good wishes. I’m just scared, it’s somehow just all hit me today. 😢

OP posts:
Geordielass1987 · 08/07/2022 21:09

I’ll be thinking of you and your daughter. You must be so scared, I’m going in for a removal and biopsy next week and I’m worried and I’m a grown woman so you must be so worried for your little girl. Praying it’s nothing for you both, please update when you know if you’re comfortable to xx

Original poster
SOTY · 08/07/2022 21:24

Thanks @Geordielass1987. Wishing you luck too. I’m sorry that you’re going through similar. Not easy at any age. ❤️

OP posts:
Original poster
SOTY · 08/07/2022 21:37

Is there anyone medical on here who has any knowledge/insight on this sort of thing. Sorry, I really am just a desperate parent.

OP posts:
Kona84 · 08/07/2022 21:48

I have several lumps on both shins- feel like little peas under my skin.
they are painless and when I pointed them out to the doctor they were not worried.
i first pointed it out to them when I was early 20’s I’m 38 now.

ive not had them in my ankle but I do get ganglion cysts in my wrists and ankles.
i am hyper mobile and seem to come on when I’ve strained myself

ChristmasCurry · 08/07/2022 21:51

Hopefully will be a couple of lipomas they are harmless fatty lumps, I have a few of them and had a couple removed from my left arm.

Daisychainsandglitter · 08/07/2022 21:51

I have no experience of this but bumping for you.
I can't imagine how anxious you must be feeling.
Sending you and your daughter my very best wishes.

NotthatKindofpickle · 08/07/2022 21:57

I've got no medical knowledge but didn't want to read and run. I hope it will turn out to be something harmless.

We had a cancer scare with my five year old last year and it was absolutely terrifying!! The waiting for answers is horrible. Huge hugs and best wishes!!

TuftyMarmoset · 08/07/2022 21:58

Sounds like they could be some sort of cyst. Sebaceous cysts are very common and it’s quite common to have more than one.

Original poster
SOTY · 08/07/2022 22:15

Thanks so much for all the support. I really appreciate it.

@ChristmasCurry I don’t think they are lipomas, because they aren’t soft. Initially, I thought the first one was bone until I realised it could move.

The lumps don’t have any redness, or discolouration. It’s just normal skin but with a small mass underneath.

OP posts:
Thack · 08/07/2022 22:17

Here to offer a bump and a handhold 💐
Hopefully no news is good news.

Throwawaytoday · 08/07/2022 22:23

I am not a doctor, but bones and bodies are weird. In my teens I had a lump on my top vertebra, it was approximately the size of a large paracetamol tablet.

It moved a little under the skin, but was very close/tight against the bone, it was hard, it was the same colour as my skin.

I had it removed - and a biopsy done, and it was a weird, random, completely disc shaped (an even circle) of bone... for no good reason. It just grew there, not attached to anything.

Of course, I can't promise you 100% that everything will be okay - and I completely understand the agony of worrying over your child's health, especially when it comes to lumps. But as I say, the body is a weird thing.

janesmithsdog · 08/07/2022 22:24

I’m not an expert but I think moveable is usually a good sign…

spinachmonster · 08/07/2022 22:36

I just saw the doc this week about three lumps that I have, two on my leg and one on my forearm. Said if soft and moveable that's a good sign. She referred me for an ultrasound to double check, I would think they'd be extra cautious with a child so maybe they are just being thorough. Thinking of you and well done for getting them checked. Hopefully all is fine Flowers

BlodynGwyn · 08/07/2022 22:49

Not all lumps are sinister. I have so many lipomas and granulomas that I ignore all lumps on my body now.

Katya213 · 08/07/2022 23:50

If it was cancer, you’d have been called in a week ago and your daughter would be receiving treatment by now.

clipclop5 · 08/07/2022 23:58

YANBU - and you have actually prompted me to take DD to the GP over pretty much the exact same issue. She’s been complaining of a small sore lump on one of her shins for the past few weeks, was hoping it was just a bruise and would go away on its own but it doesn’t seem to be budging. There is definitely the worry at the back of the mind that it’s something sinister but I keep convincing myself that I’m just a neurotic mother 😩

WafflesOrIceCream · 09/07/2022 00:07

Sending you hugs OP.They are probably just being rxtra safe with DD being a child.

Original poster
SOTY · 09/07/2022 20:42

Thanks everyone.

I keep playing different scenarios out in my head which I know is really unhelpful. 😔

OP posts:
teleskopregel · 09/07/2022 20:44

Can I ask what the language is where you are?

Original poster
SOTY · 09/07/2022 21:06

it’s french @teleskopregel

OP posts:
tealandteal · 09/07/2022 21:08

I had these when I was around 17, a couple of each shin, sounds very similar. I can’t remember what it was called but it was actually an allergic reaction to some medication.

Original poster
SOTY · 09/07/2022 21:12

Hi @tealandteal

my daughter has had these for months though. We’re yours the same and, if so, how long did it take for them to go? Were yours biopsied?

OP posts:
Titsywoo · 09/07/2022 21:12

I've got small hard lumps on one shin. Been there all my life and never asked a doctor about them. I'm sure it will be fine OP you would have heard by now if it was anything serious.

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