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Children's health

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Original poster

Handhold while I worry about my DD

40 replies

Latenightreader · 06/06/2023 22:20

My DD is 4.5. In April we were playing a game and I felt a small, hard lump in her neck. We went to the GP who gave her a really thorough examination and said it would probably go on its own in 2-4 weeks. It didn’t. We went back just before half term and a different GP said that she also thought it was nothing to worry about, but was going to refer her for an ultrasound to make sure. The appointment was supposed to be next week, but I had a phone call a few days ago moving it to tomorrow. I can’t go with her - I have just started a new job and there is a meeting tomorrow which only happens once a quarter. I feel horrible about this, but she is in good hands and she is really excited about the jelly on her neck so the doctor can see inside.

I feel sick. The whole thing screams two week pathway and I have had to fight really hard not to Google because I know it will just take me to the worst case scenario. I am so scared, but am hiding it from her.

It doesn’t help that she is also having a bit of an existential crisis about growing up (connected to leaving nursery I think) and over the last couple of days has started saying that she doesn’t want to grow up, she wants to stay this age for ever. This is making my fears worse because it feels like she has had a premonition.

I just wanted to talk to someone. I just want my little girl to be ok.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

FoodieToo · 06/06/2023 22:24

Oh you poor thing , don't worry ! I bet it will be nothing . Either a lymph node or maybe a harmless cyst !
Unless she is unwell generally don't worry . They are just being super cautious .

continentallentil · 06/06/2023 22:26

Oh OP you must be so worried - but honestly it’s way way more likely to be a little benign cyst than anything nasty.

I know it’s useless saying don’t worry because you can’t not, but can you try visualising getting the news it’s nothing to worry about? It might help you feel a bit calmer.

sahm9 · 06/06/2023 22:27

My son is also having a neck US next week. They called with a cancellation and I took it, it wasn’t sent at urgent, it was sent as routine. As far as I’m aware, ultrasound appointments happen quicker for kids and a doctor has to tell you if they are referring on 2WW. I know it’s so so so hard as I am the biggest worrier and I’ll be a mess next week but try not to worry xxx

wheredotheygo · 06/06/2023 22:28

Didn't want to read and run, I am so sorry you are going through this OP. I have a DD2 and can't imagine what you must be going through & feeling. I wanted to share with you that I have a very close friend who was in a very similar situation a couple of months ago with her DD3 and everything was fine. It was a swollen lymph node which apparently is quite common in small children and totally harmless. It's good news that you have had things checked over by the GP in the initial stage and they didn't anticipate any need for concern, try and use that to reassure yourself. The scan is surely just precautionary but your DD is in the best possible hands and always best to get these things checked out. Everything crossed for you that things go well ❤️

Puddlelane123 · 06/06/2023 22:33

Try not to worry OP - the vast vast majority of lumps in this area will be benign inflammation of the lymph nodes. Two of my children had them as babies and they lasted some months in both cases. I in fact have one that has been there at least 6 years now with no ill effects.

Loopyloo159 · 06/06/2023 22:33

Two of my children had large lymph nodes on the side of their neck that you could see quite clearly. They are now in their 20s and fit and well. I was so worried about them but GP wasn’t at all .

wobblymum1 · 06/06/2023 22:45

Mine too- she has prominent ones on one side of her neck you can always see and they swell up when she has an infection. I agree with everyone else here- far more likely to be an inflamed lymph node and April is not that long to have had it. Sending hugs and handhold. I couldn’t be with my little son for a long invasive scan when he was 2 because I was pregnant and It
broke me sending him without me. But he was ok without me and just focus on the good news I’m certain you’ll get and a big mummy cuddle
When you get in from work xx

Original poster

Latenightreader · 06/06/2023 22:45

Oh thank you all, this is helping. It is really good to hear that it is common and a quick appointment doesn’t always mean potentially bad news.

OP posts:

Lizzt2007 · 06/06/2023 22:58

Op if they had any suspicion that it would be a two week pathway situation they'd have referred it on the first appointment, not the second one weeks later. My grandson seems to have permanent raised glands at the moment, just when we get past one bug another crops up and there they are. Difficult that you can't be there with her but I'm sure it's all routine.

sunflowerdaisyrose · 06/06/2023 22:59

I hope it's good news tomorrow. Wishing you all the best and the waiting must be horrible.

My daughter had a lump on her neck, around pea size and it was a cyst not a lymph node. I was told to come back in three months with her if it didn't go. It went after around 2.5 months.

wobblymum1 · 06/06/2023 22:59

I also wanted to add I understand how it feels when you’re scared for them and they say things like they won’t get any older -
when my daughter was very
ill last year she kept saying in her fevers “I’m think I’m going to die mummy” and even though my rational head knew it meant nothing my heart was so so terrified that somehow she knew she would and I didn’t. Still makes me upset to think of that now. So just remember it’s just a little lump, they will scan and confirm it’s a cyst or a lymph node (my moneys on the latter) and she’ll still be worrying you in 3 years time just with something different! 💞

Nicknamesforviolet · 06/06/2023 23:08

Just to add my 4.5 year old is also saying she will never ever grow up and doesn't want to be 5. Apparently she isn't going to get a job when she is older, she is just going to live with me and I will make her all her teas and drive her places! It's an age appropriate conversation- she just wants reassurance you will always be there ❤ Best wishes x

wildfirewonder · 06/06/2023 23:11

A quick appointment is in case it is serious, but statistically the majority of examinations result in serious stuff being ruled out.

I really hope it is all OK. I've had to wait for test results with my kids and it is horrid.

PhoenixIsFlying · 06/06/2023 23:20

When I was young I had a hard lump behind my ear and on my neck. These lumps disappeared xx

MaverickSnoopy · 06/06/2023 23:22

I found a lump and had a hospital appointment a week later. All was fine. So many reasons they get people in as quickly as possible. If she's well in herself try not to worry. I think your fears are worse because you've just started a new job and you can't go with her. Plan something nice and simple for that evening with her, an extra story at bedtime and extra cuddles.

pantjog · 06/06/2023 23:24

My DS had these shortly after my DD was diagnosed with cancer. I absolutely panicked.

DS just had a lumpy lymph node after a virus. It lasted for years. Nothing to worry about.

DD is also fine and completely recovered.

angelicaelizapeggy · 06/06/2023 23:25

I developed a small hard lump in my neck when I was little and it’s still there! I’m 30. No idea what it actually is…

Duke4 · 06/06/2023 23:27

Bless you OP and well done for not Googling.
im a massive worrier abound health, especially of my kids. But I want to share that I had this. Just a swollen lymph node. Also, I used to teach and a colleague was taking her small daughter for investigations; her lump had been there for months. Harmless. It tends to swell when she’s fighting infection, though doesn’t always present as being poorly. Keep us updated x

kitchenassistance · 06/06/2023 23:31

DS used to get these in his groin occasionally, and it was swollen lymph nodes from a viral infection (they can feel very hard). More recently, he was referred for a scan for something totally different, and when the appointment letter came through, it said he was being referred under 2WW. The doctor hadn't told us that, and it was terrifying. He was absolutely fine ❤.

Original poster

Latenightreader · 06/06/2023 23:32

Your lovely messages are making me cry. When I posted I really didn’t think anything would make me feel less panicky but now I am starting to think I might get to sleep tonight after all.

@Nicknamesforviolet What a relief that other children say this too - feels a bit less ominous!

OP posts:

Serena73 · 06/06/2023 23:34

My son had a lump in his neck when he was a similar age. When to Gp who said it might go down or might just stay there and only go back if it was bigger. It was there for many years, maybe still there now 12 years later! We did not get referred but I feel like they refer a lot more often now

lifeturnsonadime · 06/06/2023 23:36

When my daughter was little she had a little hard lump on her neck for years. Amazing what you forget.

She is an absolutely fine and fit and healthy teen now.

I'm sure.your DC will be fine, totally understand your worry though x

minisoksmakehardwork · 06/06/2023 23:38

Ds1 has a lump on his neck the size of a minstrel! About the same shape as well. It's more prominent when he's exerted himself. It's weird. But it's apparently nothing to worry about. It's been noticeable since he was a small toddler and he's now 13. So I do hope your dd's is something similarly not sinister.

covetingthepreciousthings · 06/06/2023 23:43

Just wanted to add to the reassurance of the thread, my DC had a lump on their neck which didn't go away so had to have a couple of ultrasounds, then had to have day surgery to have the lymph removed. Histology was all clear and it was nothing sinister. It was such a massive worry, and totally understand what a stressful time it can be

Hope it goes ok tomorrow.

covetingthepreciousthings · 06/06/2023 23:45

Just wanted to add, you may already know this, but just be prepared to not get answers tomorrow. I know when my DC had the ultrasound they couldn't give results then & there that day, they had to wait for the report to be fully interpreted.

So just a little heads up. I think we got the results in a few days.

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