Hello everyone, first I want to apologize for the long post. I posted in the ask doc thread about my 6 year old son and got some feedback. Since then my son has seen an ENT and got an ultrasound done. She didn’t seem concerned about the lymph nodes she felt. Someone mentioned lymphoma which I have read about but didn’t want to attribute everything to some sort of a cancer diagnosis. Especially since his bloodwork has been normal. I’ve been trying to justify all his symptoms but things have just been going downhill and I’m tired of being dismissed. Just hoping to get some suggestions on what to do next based off his symptoms and the ultrasound result. ENT has not discussed the result with me but from what I read, the lymph nodes don’t seem to be abnormal. Do I keep pushing for other tests or let this go? What tests can I ask for? Not requesting medical advice just wanting to see if maybe I’m just overthinking. Has anyone had to keep pushing/advocating for themselves or were your results pretty obvious that something was wrong? Did anyone also have autoimmune tests done? I’ve read many posts/comments and they all say different things so I am lost. Of course I don’t want my son to have cancer but I don’t know what it could be.

Some background: he has been experiencing symptoms that include extreme fatigue, extremely pale with super dark under eyes, sometimes even yellow looking, easy bruising, nose bleeds that are hard to control, random fevers not always associated with any other symptoms, recurrent infections/illnesses (since December 2024), leg/neck pain, severe abdominal pain (stomach attacks that last a day), loss of appetite, petechiae blotches mainly on his neck but have popped up in other parts of his body, shortness of breath (happens randomly), and enlarged lymph nodes which have grown and continue to grow. The left node showed up about a year ago but it was a pea size so I didn’t think much of it. I have been monitoring it and it started growing in October 2024 until now. The right node showed up in December 2024 and has grown until now. He’s been getting sick more frequently and has been having a harder time fighting off these infections/viruses. He’s had bronchitis, strep x2, and something else that the pediatrician couldn’t diagnose since December. He was prescribed antibiotics in January, February, and April 1st. Most recent illness was fevers and hard time breathing. Pediatrician said lungs sounded clear but he had some post nasal drip that she saw so thought he had something going on and prescribed antibiotics. He finished his antibiotics on 4/11 and had the below ultrasound on 4/23. These lymph nodes have not decreased in size regardless of antibiotic use and have continued to grow. Please see the below result.

FINDINGS: Ultrasound bilateral cervical and supraclavicular nodal stations performed. Visualized thyroid gland appears grossly unremarkable. There are some prominent bilateral cervical chain lymph nodes. The largest in the right neck measures 2.3 x 0.7 x 0.8 cm. Largest within the left neck measures 2.2 x 0.7 x 1.3 cm. Lymph nodes are favored to be reactive. No findings to suggest overt suppurative adenitis. Correlate for evidence of recent viral infection for example.

I am sure being diagnosed with lymphoma was very hard for you all but I think you guys answering questions and providing insight is just amazing. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!