Marruk

I figured I would ask for advise here, since I do not want to worry my family at this point untill I find out what it is.

The other day as I was brushing my hair I noticed that there was a bump on my neck just behind my left ear about halfway down my neck. I thought it might be a spider bite so first I grabbed a secondary miror so I could see the bump better, but It was not a spider bite. I then felt it and yup, it is a lump about the size of a small pebble.

I'm really scared because I don't have health insurance. I'm setting up an appointment to go see the doctor at school later this week when my fiance has the day off (he is the only one who knows about the lump so far). I'm really afraid of it being something bad like cancer, because it will be very expensive and I have no clue how I will pay for it. I've been wondering if it would be possible to get insurance without anyone catching it (when I wear my long hair down, you can't see the bump). Would it be in my best intrest to get insurance first before seeing the doctor? I'm affraid if I see the doctor and it is cancer that I will never be able to get health insurance do to a pre-existing condition.

Well thats about it, and I feel better now that I got to say all that. (It is difficult keeping this from my family, especially my dad who is a RN.)

sakrilege

I am not a doctor but I do know there there are things called benign cysts that often show up under the skin like that, I have had them myself. Definitely see a doctor, but do not worry yourself too much because cancer is not the automatic diagnosis.

Good luck.


edited to add: getting health insurance can take a couple of months from my experience.

AquaVita

I'm not sure how the insurance thing works. But I highly doubt they would deny at least partial coverage for something like cancer. (but I really doubt that's what it is...it's not uncommon for benign bumps to show up from time to time)

Let us know what happens. Our thoughts are with you.



EDIT...cross post with sakrilege RE: benign lumps

Marruk

I understand it can be benign, and probably is, but I am still worried about the money because if they have to cut it out it will still be a very expensive surgery do to the placement of the lump. I also understand that it could be other stuff like a thyroid problem, but it is still very nerve racking to be going through this. The biggest fear is just not knowing and it could be several weeks before I will know.

It is difficutlt to reassure myself when I just don't know. I feel bad for anyone who has to go through this.

sakrilege

From my experience with insurance, a preexisting condition can be excluded for up to 18 months and is considered preexisting if a doctor was consulted within 6 months of insurance start or a prescription drug is used.

KoopaFanatic

I know exactly what you're going through. About 18 months ago I found a small lump on my back, right above my spine. Talk about bone-chilling! Turns out it was a sebaceous cyst, something which is very common.

Obviously you should get it checked out professionally, but keep that old medical saying in mind: "When you hear hoofbeats, don't think zebras." Odds are it's something really mundane and won't require anything more than cursory treatment.

Actually, they might not have to perform any sort of surgery at all. Most kinds of cysts don't have to be removed unless they're pressing against something vital, which you'd defintiely notice. The most common kind (according to my family doctor) are sebaceous cysts, which can pop up on the neck (I've had a few there ). It's a fluid-filled lump that will eventually pop and then go away. It sounds really disgusting, but it's actually not even unpleasant. Sometimes a small bump remains, and you can get that removed later, but it's not usually a big deal. If this is the case, the worst the doc might do is lance it or otherwise drain it, which takes no time at all (and you probably wouldn't even be charged extra for that ).

An easy way to check, BTW, is to take a tissue or gauze pad and hold it against the lump, then squeeze gently. If there's a tiny bit of fluid on the tissue, odds are you're looking at a sebaceous cyst. (You can't do this with bare hands, though, since what's inside is basically just skin oils, so you won't really notice it on your fingers.)

Marruk

Im going to see the doctor on friday, there were no appointments left so I have to get up early and just walk in. I'm feeling a bit better knowing that I am going to the doctors.

As to any fluid-nope. This lump feels the same and reacts the same as the ones in the medical model at school for breast lumps. It is definately under the skin a bit, feels like a hardened peice of gum or an eraser. It is located near the jugular vein. I won't know what it is untill mid to late next week.

All of your posts have made me feel a bit better, and just getting this out has eased much of my tension. Thank you

KoopaFanatic

Best of luck!

Jagged

My mom has these sebaceous cysts on her neck and has had at least one removed. I have a lump on my neck in almost the same place you do, M, and altho it worries me just a bit, I've just let it be for the last few years. I've asked a doc and they didn't seem to be concerned. So I don't think you *have* to get it removed, if it is a cyst that is.

FoE

It is totally insane that a person that is afraid they may have fucking cancer should have to be so worried about the cost of it!