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lump in armpit and extreme fatigue

kirkle35
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hi everyone, in a 35yr old mum of 2 who finally got a lump in my armpit examined. I first noticed it a few months ago, but I'd feel it one day then not the next and kept questioning if I was imagining it. I feel so silly now not getting it checked and certainly would have gone sooner if not for COVID, didn't want to bother the doctor and also working ridiculous hours as a key worker meant I didn't prioritise it. Now experiencing extreme fatigue so I made the appointment and have been referred for an urgent ultrasound. Doctor could feel the lump, so I clearly wasn't imagining it.. feeling very emotional this evening, trying to hold it together round my kids but secretly very scared of what the tests might confirm. 

 

 

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    Hi Kirkle,

    I am so sorry to hear of your symptoms, but glad to learn that you have been referred for an urgent ultrasound. Waiting to be seen is always a scary time, as is waiting for the results of your ultrasound. I do hope that you don't have too long to wait. This is a very emotional time, especially when there are so many unknowns. Please try to keep yourself busy to distract yourself from the wait.

    What ages are your kids? It is always difficult to hold it together around them. You will probably find it easier to explain things once you get a definite diagnosis. They don't need chapter and verse, just a simple, but positive explanation.

    Do please keep in touch. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thanks so much for your reply, is nice to have somewhere to put my worries down! My kids are 5 and 7 so at the age where they will sort of understand what I say if its a negative outcome but my eldest is the most sensitive little boy who will then be fixated on me dying as he already talks a lot about it. They are both very much mummy mummy mummy. I'll have no problem keeping busy as I have a full on job, but the constant fatigue is always there reminding me something isn't quite right

  • Offline in reply to kirkle35

     

    Hi Kirkle,

    This is a great place to come to for support, advice and information. It is also a great place to come to  on your darker days to get your feeling off your chest, without worrying family and friends. It makes you realise that you are not alone, as there is always someone here who has had experience of what you are going through.

    Your kids are young, but old enough to know that something is going on. How they take your news depends to a great extent on what you tell them. You certainly don't want them fixating on death. There are some helpful booklets available from some of the cancer organisations like Breast Cancer Care. Ask your breast care nurse where you can get these or look online.

    Breast cancer has seen a lot of advancements over the years. My mum died of secondary breast cancer 23 years ago and I have had 2 bouts in the past 11 years. There is just no comparison between the diagnosis, treatment and aftercare which we have both experienced. Instead of dying with it, people are now living with breast cancer.

    I had that extreme fatigue when I was first diagnosed and, just don't know how you can look after two young children as well as hold down a full time job when you are feeling like this.

    I do hope that you get your appointment through soon and that you get a reassuring outcome.

    Please keep in touch.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Well I'm not doing a great job of work or parenting because getting up to go for a wee makes me feel as exhausted as running a marathon  

  • Offline in reply to kirkle35

     

    I know that feeling and, don't eny you one bit! - you'll soon get t the bottom of all this.

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hello, an old thread I know, but just wondering what this turned out to be as I'm in exactly the same position. Thanks. 

  • Offline in reply to Myra1

     

    Hi Myra,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    Can I ask what stage of your cancer journey you're at? Unfortunately, extreme fatigue can accompany cancer and some treatments make this even more profound.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you're getting on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Myra1

    Hiya, so the lump turned out to be a gland that was swollen, nothing to worry about.. probably a virus which also caused the exhaustion.  I felt exhausted for a few months and then back to normal. Hope you have a similar outcome x

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