Hwilder

Hello my name is Heidi I am 21 years old and about 3 or 4 months ago I noticed a lump on the left side of my neck not right under my jaw bone but almost I knew it was a swollen lymph node but it didn't hurt or anything so me being my neurotic paranoid self I started looking on the internet on what makes a lymph node swell without being sick. Of course ALL I got were websites saying it was lymphoma or hodgkin's lymphoma. I have been obsessed over this for a while now I finally made an appointment for a doctor the 29th of this month which is in a couple days. I am so scared that they are going to tell me bad news. How could it be an infection when I am not sick? I did however have an ear infection a little bit after I noticed the swollen gland...could that have anything to do with it? I wasn't aware a gland could swell BEFORE the infection was there. I didn't go to the doctor for my ear I just got some pain relieving drops and it went away in a couple days but the swollen node did not. I just need somone to help me out here and tell me I'm being crazy or I am dying. I can't stop thinking of what if it is cancer. oh and another thing the swollen node did not start hurting at all until the other day it started getting sore its still sore a little when I press on it or move my neck to that side and I can also see it when I lean my head back its not HUGE but its bigger then it was when i first found it, although I do keep poking at it to see if it has changed. It doesn't feel hard like a marble or anything but it isn't soft like a sponge either and I really can't tell if it moves or not. Someone please help me!!!!!!!!