Need a handhold please.

[Needahandholdplease2023]

Just when I thought life couldn't throw any more shit my way my 2 year old is currently undergoing tests and I am petrified. Hes had a swolen lymph node in his neck for over a year I've been to the drs about 8 times and always been shrugged off and told because he is small its just more visible.. went again last week as it has gotten bigger, when they sent him for urgent bloods which have detected AKI I've stupidly googled swolen lymph node and AKI and it all points to cancer. Hes not been right for about 6 months, back to back constant illnesses, he's never settled, is really clingy and his appetite is tiny. He's having more bloods tomorrow and then they want his lymph node scanning. I am genuinely petrified I can't eat or sleep just feel sick. Just wanting a hand hold please :( I nearly lost him at 8 weeks when he got severe covid and his heart was at 180bpm. My dd has had sepsis twice. I've had 4 miscarriages and lost my dad, dog and grandad in the last 6 years. I cannot cope with anymore sadness or pain. I just wanted healthy happy kids..

It sounds like you've really had a rubbish time lately OP, there's no wonder you're feeling sick with worry. That is a lot for anyone to have to go through in such a short time. Just take every hour as it comes and try and distract yourself as much as you can to take your mind off it. The waiting around and not knowing is the worst. ❤️

Thankyou @Heyln I just want to break down but have never been able to because I need to keep strong for my children just so scared of more terrible things :( I thought the dr today would just say all is fine or something silly but he started talking about an issue in his bloods and its thrown me sideways plus he wouldn't rule out that they weren't related. Just so scared and have noone in real life to talk to my husbands way is denial or silence, not his fault at all just a different way to cope. Dont want to worry anyone else yet until we know if he's ok or if shit is going to hit the fan good and proper.

gentle hugs 💞

I’ve been where you are - not exactly, but multiple losses and very poorly children and my goodness it makes us scared, and no wonder.

i just wanted to say they tested my dd for Leukaemia and the dr told me that when a
child has cancer it’s a rapid rapid decline- and you’d see soooo many symptoms you couldn’t really miss it. So the fact he’s had this for a long time is actually reassuring. Even if it is bigger now it’s likely due to an infection he’s got at present and it’s doing his job as a lymph node. My DD has a prominent lymph node that has never gone down and gets bigger when she is fighting a virus- it’s scared me so much over the years I have to force myself
not to look at it when she turns her head or I have a silent panic attack.

A very experienced Gp told me prominent lymph nodes are very common in young children, especially slim ones.

i won’t tell you not to worry as you will, but Try and take some reassurance that it’s been there for a long time so chances are it’s not serious 💞

Equally won't tell you not to worry as any parent would, but we also had blood tests done to rule out leukaemia with excessive bruising in my DD so I know how you feel. From what I understand the blood results would come back clearly showing something elevated and if there was any real indication or cancer you would be in phoned and rushed straight into hospital. The fact that they aren't doing this and are just ordering repeat tests is reassuring I'm sure xx

Oh OP, big hugs and a massive handhold. You poor thing! Hopefully it turns out to be nothing - I am sending you love and prayers xx

Also, I have been where you are in terms of big lymph node and many non blanching rashes (DS had one the size of an egg on his groin and has a big one on his collar bone). I remember the GP (a paediatrician by trade) had to tell me what it could be, just so I knew what I could be facing. My DS was fine, thankfully - but it stays with you. It’s a horrible thing to have to go through. Much love x

Poor you it sounds like you have had a terrible time and no wonder you are now so worried. I think you need to just do whatever you can that helps you cope while you wait - distracting yourself, thinking of the positives or just trying to be mindful and stay in the moment rather than thinking too far ahead. Will be thinking of you.

Thankyou all so much. Does make me feel abit calmer and sorry you've been through similar things its a rubbish position to be in when the little people you love aren't ok or to have the wory. I keep calming myself down and try not to worry about the what ifs and then panic sets in again about 2 minutes after.. I'm still very scared even if they rule out cancer about his kidneys but trying to not over think. Normally hate him waking me up multiple times in the night but the last few I've been grateful he's got in my bed and had all the snuggles we both need. Looking forward to my wake up in about 2 hours time haha..

My little one has had an enlarged lymph node behind his ear for 10 months and it does seem bigger when ill so hopefully it is just that with yours but its horrible when you cant get a definitive answer from the doctor straight away. I have struggled with health anxiety over the years and although it's different to worrying about your child I can definitely empathise with how isolating the worry feels and the dread of something horrible happening

Hes had more bloods done today bless him so now the wait begins... again...

Thinking of you OP and praying for good news xx

Sending you love and support. I will pray that everything can be resolved for your sweet child. It's not fair what you've been through.

Here holding your hand OP, hopefully everything is just fine but you have done all the right things! Xxx

Thankyou all. I'm a good person and a bloody good mum too. And I was a proper Daddy's girl he even took me wedding dress shopping and just when I think things can't get any worse they always do! But we plough on. I will be furious if there is anything as I've had him to the drs so many times and been shrugged off but I'm not surprised as they misdiagnosed my dad and missed my daughters sepsis too!

Sending you such a tight handhold. You've had way too much to cope with, bless you. My DS has had a prominent lymph node on the side of his neck since he was about 7 - he's now a strapping 6ft 16-year-old and it's only just started to be less noticeable. My friend's son had one as well. Hopefully your DS's is nothing scary but I'll hold your hand while you wait.

Sounds like you've really been through it. We're another set that had a cancer scare with a child and it was awful but thankfully all ok. Don't forget to eat and sleep properly as it helps mentally.

Thankyou been eating abit better today but get no sleep anyway thanks to said child hahaha. This thread really is helping and keeping me optimistic thankyou all x

Trust your gut, OP. My Dd was misdiagnosed for 13 months. The GP told me that my 6yo Dd just had “tummy ache” and I saw her 8 times within a few months and we had 2 hospital trips in between. DD had awful headaches, was pale and stomach was swollen and I was convinced she had cancer. I remember calling the GP in the March, sobbing as Dd was so ill and the Gp said “well what do you want me to do?!”. She finally agreed to a blood test, which showed severe coeliac disease. The Gp called me and was so apologetic. I swapped GP afterwards, I was so angry. I’m so sorry you are going through this; keep going and remember we are all behind you xx

Hi OP . I just want to add to the list of Mums and Dads who have children with enlarged lymph nodes . My son and daughter both had an enlarged lymph node on the side of their necks throughout their childhoods. Definitely got bigger if unwell or tired .
They are absolutely fit and healthy adults but I do understand your anxiety because I was convinced my daughter had something seriously wrong ,sending love and hopefully all will be okay Xx

My DS also had a permanently enlarged lymph node in his neck that was very visible from the age of about 6 months until 8/9 YO. He is a fit and healthy 20 something now.

All your stories are making me feel much better. Will just wait for these blood test results to come back and go from there just hoping his kidneys are ok. They're just going back to drs so guessing I'll hear on Monday! X

Any update op?

One of my children had one of these from the age of two and all the way through to adult life. Tests were done but it's never been anything.

Just here to throw in some handholding and my DD’s story.

She was hospitalized with swollen lymph nodes and was falling asleep at the drop of a hat, not eating etc. I had myself convinced it was bad, but first of all, my pediatrician told me that “bad” stuff would be instantly visible in the blood, so they would have known that within an hour of arriving at the hospital.

In my daughters case, she had a massive sinus infection that overwhelmed her and made her nodes swell up.

I hope you’re LO doing ok.

I hope you had good news x