Handhold while I worry about my DD

[Latenightreader]

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.

Look up "cervical rib", that's what my hard lump on my neck was. My poor mum was beside herself like you when I got a very quick appointment to get it looked at. It's never caused me any problems.

Who's going to be there with your daughter? Her dad?

Best wishes to you all. My DP had a neck lump just below the jaw that we were worried about. Went through the 2 week pathway. It turned out just to be a lump of fat. Hopefully similar for your child.

Hope it goes ok tomorrow. Sending lots of virtual love 💕💕

Both me and my son have this. It’s very, very common, especially in children. It’s just a lymph node that would have swollen in response to illness and never went totally down. I believe the term is ‘shotty node’ or something like this. Most people have one somewhere! Totally normal and no issue. We had ultrasounds too, just procedure.

My 2 nieces had big lumps ended up getting quite swollen, no turned out the lymph nodes got infected and they had to drain it and gave antibiotics. Hope all goes well for her tmro 🙏❤️

Not a child, but I was recently sent for an emergency referral for an abdominal CT. It came back clear, it is worrying (and would be more so if it was for my child!) But at least you will get the results sooner rather than later, more than likely all will be ok

I've got 2 children.

With the first, where there was a concern that it could be a tumour, the scan was done within hours. It was a tumour.

With the second child, an ultrasound was ordered for niggling ongoing abdominal pain. It was very much just a precaution, they weren't too concerned. We were seen in under 2 weeks, and as suspected it didn't show anything of concern.

With kids and cancer, the NHS honestly moves quicker than 2w in my experience.

Best of luck.

Hope it goes ok OP. Fwiw Dd had similar during the pandemic and was seen quickly and I thought the same as you, it must be bad, especially then. It was fine!

How did everything go? X

How did it go OP? I hope your both ok

All clear, a huge relief all round! She was good as gold, and the radiographer spent ages looking all around so is confident that there is nothing suspicious going on.

Thank you again for everyone who shared stories and reassurances.

@Latenightreader
great news x

@Latenightreader - fantastic news!

What a lovely update op!