Anxiety - husband's appointment for lump today

[OptimisticRealist2024]

DH has had a smooth, painless lump on his shoulder for at least 4 years. It hasn't got bigger, doesn't hurt. It's flesh-coloured and quite firm. I can't see a little black dot in it. The raised area's about the size of a 20p coin.

I'm 27 weeks pregnant and my hormones are sending my health anxiety haywire. Absolutely terrified he has cancer and is going to die. he honestly isn't remotely worried or bothered by it.

I'm awaiting treatment for my anxiety but a minor breakdown recently made him realise how worried I am about this stupid lump. He's finally got a doctor's appointment today. I can't eat, I haven't slept, I'm a mess waiting for him to go and come back. I can't focus on work at all. His appointment is after work so we have hours to go.

Has anyone got any experience where they left a lump for so long and it wasn't cancer? I've Googled - it's practically consumed me now - but I just don't know how to get through this afternoon.

I would not worry. Especially as he has had it 4 years with no changes or other symptoms. Most likely a benign lump.

It will be fine and, even if it isn't, he can get it sorted. I think you know you're being ridiculous, so please find a distraction and stop thinking about it

Oh bless you. I have a ganglion cyst on my wrist and a plantar fibroma on my foot that have been doing precisely nothing but annoying me, the latter for years.

Having suffered secondary health anxiety for my DH (following a real life threatening problem) I can empathise. Just keep as busy as possible today - worrying doesn’t keep him safe, despite what your brain is telling you - and if you can’t eat, drink something nutritious or at least with some calories in it.

Watch Dr. Pimple popper and it may put your fear of lumps and bumps into perspective. I used to be paranoid about all bumps, until you see it's only a tiny amount that are cancerous.
Always get them checked out though.

Glad to hear you are awaiting treatment for your health anxiety.

Hope all goes well for your husband and that it’ll be nothing major.

My DH had a rather large lump on his back for years. It seemed rather hard.

One day - after it had been there for many years - a tiny pimple appeared on top and it burst.

Short version - turned out to be rather an impressive sebaceous cyst - removed via local anaesthetic.

Dh had one, quite large, on his shoulder which was a cyst. Nhs would not routinely remove it but a surgeon did later when had an unrelated abscess nearby.

Thank you, everyone. I appreciate it sounds really nuts; but my brain just won't switch off! Fingers crossed it really is just a cyst if it hasn't changed in all that time.

And even if it isn’t 100% harmless, it’s not going to be very dangerous if it’s just been sitting there doing nothing for years.

Brains are really ridiculous. Sometimes I’d like to be able to take mine out and put it in a soothing bath, or find its mute button.