So I've had this small pea sized lump at the base of my skull for about a year. I don't remember exactly when I noticed it but it's been there for a year. And it changes in size. Up and down. Almond to pea, pea to almond. It doesn't hurt. And when I get lymph massages, it doesn't react.
So FINALLY, after thinking about it for months, I did it. I went to a regular old doctor about it. He says to be safe it should be removed. I'm having a lump removed. That sounds scary, right? I don't feel scared. All this year I just attributed it to Lyme.
I think we do that a lot. It's easier to say it's a "Lyme thing" than to go to a regular doctor who might shun our disease but treat something that may not be Lyme related. You know? Just because we have Lyme and Lyme mimics other diseases, doesn't mean that other stuff can't happen to our body.
I won't even tell you the two possibilities that this lump could be based on my symptoms and how the lump feels...but let's just say it was super easy for me to say it was related to Lyme. The symptoms could easily be Lyme related OR they could be something else that is NOT Lyme related.
My LLMD is big on not taking chances. So when I ask about weird stuff, most of the time they tell me and explain WHY it sounds like it's only Lyme&Friends. But sometimes? They say it might be Lyme, but go get it checked out because it definitely might NOT be Lyme.
So that's why I'm saying -- if you've got some weird thing going on and your gut is telling you it may NOT be Lyme related but it's easier for you to pretend it is -- just go get it checked out. This big deal I made in my mind about seeing a regular general practitioner was actually so much easier than I thought it would be. The doctor was great and instead of me going on and on about how I have Lyme, I just let him focus on the lump and he asked questions about whether I had other symptoms that go along with "lumps".
And since the procedure to take out the lump is not general surgery, we both decided it would be for the best that I get it removed so we know for SURE just what it is. I'm praying it's nothing.....and actually I really have no anxiety about it. I more just want to get rid of it and know what it is so I don't have to constantly think about it.
I'll let you know.....
Glad you're getting it taken care of!
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for you. For continued peace and for health! I completely understand the uncertainess of this. I had a similar situation with a tennis ball size node. It was scary, but like you, I wasn't anxious. And it all turned out to be ok. (Unfortunately, at the time we didn't know about Lyme so we didn't have it tested for Lyme and co's.)
ReplyDeleteReally good advice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this. I also have a lump on the side of my head, but have been putting off getting it looked at. Your PSA made me think and schedule an appointment. Fingers crossed...for both of us.
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Praying for you and your surgery!
ReplyDeleteHello Heather,
ReplyDeletethank you for posting this, I hope your surgery went well and that you are in good state.
I stumbled upon your article after finding an almond sized lump on the exact same spot; at the base of my skull.
Has anyone told you what the lump in your neck was? Was it lyme related or? All the best.
My daughter has a small lump (as you've described) in the same spot where you're pointing in the picture. What was the result of your testing? Are you doing OK now that it was removed?
ReplyDeleteThe result was all clear! It was benign. They also found no Lyme in it (but Lyme can be hard to find as most of us know, so it's not to say this wasn't caused by it). It as just a lymph node that had formed a permanent lump. But like I said, they tested the lump and it was all clear. But I highly advise getting these things tested or at least run it by your daughter's doctor :) Best wishes.
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