painless neck lump

[canukmom]

Hello, I just found this site and am just hoping someone can help me. I have an ultrasound booked for this Friday (the longest week of my life is waiting for this exam).

Last Monday, I noticed a lump on my neck in the child-view mirror suctioned to the windshield of my car. I'd say its about the size of an avocado pit, is under the skin, right at the top of my neck under my jawline. Not at the front or side of the neck, but inbetween there - sort of where you'd feel for a pulse, carotid artery area. It doesn't hurt, but is a little tender when I press on it. I went to see my doc 2 days after I noticed it and the first thing he did was start questionning me about cancer which scared me thoroughly, especially since I am currently 32wks pregnant with my second child. It is a high-risk pregnancy and I am mostly confined to the house, and just had my last tummy ultrasound with big thumbs up that all is going well and I will probably make it all the way to my due date because of how good things look. Just when I was able to stop worrying about the baby and the pregnancy, now this.......

I am adopted, and know there is no cancer on my maternal side, but know nothing about my paternal family. The doc sent me for a full blood workup to test for mono, mumps, toxoplasmosis, leukemia, lymphoma, thyroid issues, CBC, etc..... all came back fine. You'd think that would have calmed me down a little, but waiting for this ultrasound just has me crying non-stop. The doc was kind of mystified because he doesn't think the lump is in the right spot for a gland or node. I've been put on antibiotics in case of infection, in which case you'd think it would have gone down, but I'm on Day 5 of the pills and no change in the lump.

Anyone with similar experience here? Any and all stories welcome. I need to be informed before this ultrasound. Thanks in advance.......

[momoside]

Hi
I can tell you that my son has a lump behind his ear and it has been there for about a year. It has not gotten bigger and has gone down a little. He had an ultrasound and it was fine. I took him to a dermatologist also and they say it is a fibroma. They did inject it with a cortisone shot and it went down a little. They also gave him a topical antibiotic as well because it looked a bit scratched. Hang in there. I would call the radiologist and beg to be put in asap as you are very worried and this is not good for the baby and yourself. Tell them you are willing to sit and wait in the office(if you are) so they can squeeze you in!!! Do not and I repeat do not go on the internet. It can make you crazy. It could be a hormonal thing related to pregnancy. let us know how it turns out.

hugs
Haley

[momoside]

Also
since I do not practice what i preach, I did some searching. Could you have a tooth abcess? Maybe you have an infection in your mouth?

Haley

[canukmom]

Thanks for your reply Haley, I really appreciate it. I called the radiology place, and they can't/won't get me in any sooner than Friday, so I just have to wait unfortunately. They are a whole chain of labs in our city, and the central booking office didn't have an appointment any sooner than the one I have booked. <sigh> Oh well....... I'm going to try my best to stay off the internet, I know what you mean, and I have preached this very thing myself in the past. Its just so tempting to reach out there in the hopes of finding an answer.

Wouldn't a tooth abcess hurt? And wouldn't these antibiotics I'm on be helping that if I did have an infection in my mouth? Doctors can be so cruel, I can't believe he was so focused on the cancer discussion with a 32wk pregnant woman when there could certainly be other ideas to rule out first. I will let you know how it turns out. PS. I'm 37.

Tx also for the hugs....

[momoside]

Hi.
Just hang in there. Like I said before, it could be soo soo many other things and your body goes whacko when you are pregnant. Please let us know as soon as you find out something. Does it seem to be going down at all?
Haley