The tale of Millie and a strange lump!

I haven't blogged about what I am about to say before. The reason for this is that, understandably, as Millie's Mummy I was fearing the worst. So rather that write about it I decided to just try and put it to the back of my mind (which, by the way did not work) until the appointment date.

Shortly after Christmas I noticed that Millie had a strange little lump on her left side, under her ribs. Then on her birthday my Mum and Sister (who is a Nurse) also noticed it. Both said I should take her to get it checked out. So, the very next day I was sitting in the Doctors surgery waiting for Millie to be seen.

The Doctor agreed that the lump was a bit strange, she said that she definitely thought something was not right about it but she was not sure what. She then added that she was pretty sure it could not be Cancer as Millie was so happy. I have to say that comment probably made me worry even more because I had not even thought about Cancer. But now that she mentioned it and only said it probably was not Cancer was not reassuring enough for me. I was now sick with worry about my lovely little baby, who had only just turned one.

We were given an appointment date to see a paediatric Consultant for 4 weeks later. After a couple of days of really worrying, I snapped out of it slightly and (almost) put my sensible head on. I started to think, if it was Cancer surely she would of been seen sooner. After researching  I was correct, she would of been seen within 2 weeks if there was any concern of urgency. But there was still a niggle at the back of my head worring me about it. For lots of reasons, I think I must of imagined every diagnosis possible over the 4 weeks wait!

So, fast forward 4 weeks and we arrive to Friday, Not only the day for Millie's (late) 12 month jabs but also the day of her consultant appointment. We arrived just on time, thanks to our Doctors surgery running 25 Minutes late, even though we were first jab appointment (thanks for that!).

We were seen pretty quickly, the nurses and the consultant were fantastic. The consultant examined Millie and told me he thought that is was one of her ribs that had grown abnormally. Yes, the lump was rounded but it felt like it was part of the rib. So we were sent round to Xray department, where yet again the staff were fantastic with Millie and even though Millie got upset about it all she was still a very brave little girl.

The consultant had already explained to me that he would be getting another consultant to read Millie's Xray, as the other consultant was more experienced in that field. But he obviously sensed how concerned I was about the whole thing because he said I could come back after the Xray and he would quickly see us to have a little look at it. The Xray looked normal to me, he seemed ok with it but just as a precaution and whilst we wait for the official report from the other consultant he is going to make Millie an appointment for an ultrasound at another hospital. He is then going to see her for a follow up appointment in 4 months. Apparently if it is that her rib has grown abnormally it us just a case of monitoring her and making sure it does not cause any issues for her, he suspects that it will not cause any problems for her but it will always be abnormal.

So I came out of that appointment feeling very relieved. A bit like a weight had been lifted of my shoulders. Yes, I know we have not had a definite answer yet but I feel confident that the consultant is doing everything he can to make sure we get a very accurate diagnosis. I also feel confident that everything he said to me makes sense with the rib growing abnormally.

Millie chose herself a ballerina Dolly for being so brave and yesterday we all had a lovely family day, just the four of us together having lots of giggles.

I will of course keep you updated, but hopefully we will get the report from the Xray very soon, along with the ultrasound appointment!

Kids.... they do like to worry you don't they?!

My two cheeky monkey's!