Hello Catherine, Thanks for posting, From your description you are most like suffering from lymphadenitis mostly due to bacteria infection and this could be atypical germs (such as mycobacterium, fungi) or resistant bacteria (reason why it recurs). The lymph node could be as result of a tumor (most probably benign). In order to determine the actual cause, you will have to visit a doctor who would sample a specimen by doing a biopsy. Culture of the specimen could also be done to determine the kind of infection so that appropriate antibiotics could be given). You will need pain killers in order to manage the pain. Wish you the best