Hi all I don’t really know how I’m feeling other than anxiety and dread at the moment. I noticed 2 lumps in my neck in September 2025 and saw my GP October who said it’s was enlarged lymph nodes and not to worry. Fast forward to April 2026 and I have more lymph nodes and found one in my groin. Couldn’t get in with the GP again as never any appointments so managed to see an ANP, she felt my lumps and said it’s not normal to have them for so long. Had bloods done which all came back in range . The nurse mentioned a haematology referral but since my bloods came back ok she said to book another appointment to discuss next steps. Unable to even get back in to the surgery as no appointments so I went private and paid to see an ENT consultant due to worry. He said it needs scanning asap 2 week cancer pathway so immediately I felt sick with worry. He said I’ve had them a long time with no symptoms but I need them looking at. I’m 34 with a 20 month old son and I’m sick with worry
Hi @Liz123
Welcome to the forum.
I’m sorry to read about your challenges. It will of course to be a time of worry and anxiety for sure.
It’s a shame that you have had issues getting seen by GP. A blessing that you were able to be seen privately and there is a pathway going forward.
You will worry but now you are on the cancer pathway, you will hopefully be seen promptly.
None of us here on the forum can give medical advice obviously.
The Blood Cancer UK Support Team are closed today, Easter Sunday but will be available Easter Monday 10am -1pm
You can call them on 0808 2080 888 (option 1) and they will be able to advise.
Hope that helps
Hello @Liz123
Thank you for taking time to reach out and post in the forum
I note that @DuncanB has left you a very kind reply - and i echo his words
Not knowing what’s happening is horrible - i can relate - i am a year post diagnosis of a blood cancer called Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia ('CLL') and i remember the period in-between initial concerns being shown by my medical experts to the eventual diagnosis. I do hope that everything turns out okay for you, but please remember we are always here and are only too happy to engage with you.
I, and the other forum support volunteers are not medically trained, so please always engage with your medical experts in the first instance, but we do have trained nurses on the help line that you can speak with if you want to.
The helpline will be available again tomorrow at 10am onwards if you prefer to speak with some one.
Do take good care
Kind regards
Mike
Hello there @Liz123, welcome to the forum. I’m really sorry to read of your anxiety, it can really unbalance us at the best of times.
We forum members can’t offer medical advice, so perhaps as @DuncanB and @GenesisDevice suggest you might like to call the Blood Cancer UK nurses when they’re back tomorrow (Monday). They really know their stuff and I’m sure can reassure you about those enlarged lymph nodes.
You know, you’re not alone is worrying about enlarged lymph nodes. I’ve noted that previously when I had inflamed lymph nodes myself I was told they were likely just a sign of infection and would pass, which they did. As you say your blood cell numbers are all in range I’d say that’s great news. We’re unlikely to have anything sinister like blood cancer going on if our blood cells are normal, from my non-medical understanding. I live with a type of blood cancer where I have complete blood tests every month or so, hence my experiences in reading CBC results, so I hope I don’t seem blasé about your worries.
Just to check, is the ANP you mentioned the Association for Naturopathic Practitioners? I’d say while complementary medicine can be very helpful for a number of complaints, try to trust regulated specialists in blood disorders for these lymph node concerns. A haematologist has trained specifically to treat blood disorders and blood cancers.
Perhaps a next step might be to return to your GP to follow up about your anxiety. It’s no fun living with that and I’m sure your doctor can help advise. Would counselling be something you might consider? Something to ask your GP about as they can refer you, although I understand the wait can be rather long.
Hope that helps a little, do please let us know how you get on @Liz123.
Oh I’m sorry @Liz123 I was just checking what else ANP could stand for, did you mean advanced nurse practitioner? There’s so many acronyms in healthcare.
Since you went private for a consultation, have those results been passed onto your usual doctor? Might be worth chasing that up as I’ve read around the forum that other members sometimes have to chase up the handover of information from private healthcare appointments. Keep copies for yourself too. What did the ENT say about their next steps?
I’d also add that now is the time to lean on loved ones to accompany you to appointments and to help keep note, it’s a lot to take in I find.
Apologies again for any confusion caused, please keep us posted @Liz123.
Hi @Liz123 and welcome to the forum.
I completely understand how worried you must be. It’s a worrying time and waiting for appointments can cause huge anxiety - we all understand that.
It’s good that you were able to get an appointment and that it is being checked out. Remember, there are lots of things it might/might not be.
It’s not worth me telling you not to worry because I know that’s a big ask. What I would say, is give the helpline a call tomorrow or when you feel ready. I think it would really help,
We are here when you need us. It’s important you have the space to say how you’re feeling.
Nichola X
Thanks everyone for your kind words. Yes it was a nurse practitioner I saw sorry. I think because my bloods came back normal they want to discuss next steps ie watch and wait. I can’t however get an appointment at the surgery which is crazy. The private doctor I saw has referred me for the scan on the nhs as he said it would be a fast appointment due to the 2 week pathway. Then to see him again would be a further cost so depending on the results would be dependent if I went back to him I suppose. I’ve not had symptoms of anything else other than raised lymph nodes but I’m full of worry and just don’t know what else could be going on
Hi @Liz123
I bet your little one is just gorgeous - 20 months is so much fun, I remember it well from my 2 boys, it’s still a time where you worry about every little thing around them though - so adding this on top is really, really hard, well done for reaching out.
I’m sorry I can’t help with much more than compassion - I am keeping everything crossed for a non cancer diagnosis for you, your bloods are reassuring. I hear you on getting GP appointments, but I’m sure you’ll have a hospital appointment land for a scan soon, the Easter weekend is always a tricky one to navigate with double bank holidays.
Good luck with everything, we’re here if you need us xx
Hi all. Had an ultrasound scan today (paid private as still so worried). The radiologist said left side is normal Lymph nodes that are just predominant. But the right side is inflamed and he wants to rescan in 4 weeks time, I have had tonsillitis this last week and woke up today with a sore throat so I’m praying it’s something to do with that on my right side.
Hello again @Liz123, that’s great that you took yourself for an ultrasound scan—sometimes we need to be proactive to help our worries, don’t we. Great that the left side is normal, I hope that feels like one less thing to worry about.
Like you say, the tonsillitis may well have been affecting your lymph nodes and causing those symptoms. Has the private doctor passed their results onto your specialists and GP? Might be worth chasing that up at some point just to have all your health records together.
Perhaps it’s time to batten down the hatches a little for the wait until the next scan. Do you have favourite distractions you can occupy yourself with? Maybe a hobby or two you can throw yourself into. I know when I’ve awaited some test results I’ve had to get outside and walk off my anxiety, or at least focus on something outside of myself. Just an idea.
Do let us know how you get on @Liz123.
I’m going to wait for the next ultrasound scan in 5 weeks then rebook in with the private ent consultant I saw for a follow up. I managed to get a GP appointment in another weeks time but the wait was so long so I just decided to go private (thankful for my credit card). Just thought health was worth more than waiting around even if it is costly. The radiologist was happy with the left side. I did have a sore throat overnight and mainly on the right side so I’m hoping it is related to that. I have a holiday to Portugal with my husband and son in 3 weeks time so trying to stay positive for that and keep busy with work. I am a nurse myself so the job sometimes makes me anxious seeing so many poorly people but trying to stay positive.
The good thing is that they are keeping a check on you. I know that doesn’t stop the worrying but can be reassuring. Take good care of yourself x
Oh great stuff @Liz123, I bet preparing for your holiday will help take up some headspace, and then the holiday itself. Totally agree about our health being worth investing in. I’m glad you’re staying positive and your nursing skills must be helpful now too, but remember to let others look after you in return. Enjoy your holiday and vitamin D, I’m imagining how sunny it will be there.