Harley always hated the crate. She ended up on her bed next to ours. You can get cuddly lambs that have a heart beat in them. My daughter used it with Lyla and really helped her sleep.
Fingers crossed that the lump is not cancerous. Harley has had 3 needle aspirated over the past year as has about 5 quite large lumps (about golf ball size). They are all lipomas luckily, but do worry you.
I think you have a good plan. I always leave sport on tv as this is what is on a lot normally. I also leave Harley with a frozen lick mat or frozen Kong. Good luck