Hi

I to have been getting pain in my left armpit and around my left breast, I went to the gp, I'm so lucky that my surgery are operating as pretty much normal and have done throughout the entire covid pandemic. They have a triage system where a dr will call you back and then if you need to be seen a face to face appointment is given if not the next day the day after. My gp had a feel  she couldn't feel a lump but she immediately referred me on the 2 week pathway, this morning I've found a lump on my right side clavicle bone right near my throat and I have 1 enlarged lymph node on my right side at the top of my jaw just below my ear. I was feeling pretty confident and that referring me was just a formality until I found this lump, now I'm totally freaking out and beyond scared. My appointment with the breast clinic is on the 2nd and I've got a gp appointment on Friday so she can have a look at the lump I've found. I to bruise really easy, I had a blood test the other day and the bruise that came up was huge, I've got bruises everywhere. If I was you I'd keep pestering your surgery, ring everyday, don't accept what there telling you, the persistent ones are the ones who get appointments. Ring up in the morning and say 'i need to see a dr as matter of urgency, I'm experiencing breast pain and swelling and want a referral on the 2week pathway' if they tell you there's no appointments ask them about cancellations or at least a call back from your gp. Don't take no for answer, half the battle is getting past the reception staff x

Hi Ncb2020,

A very warm welcome to our forum. You are doing the right thing trying to get seen by your GP. Did you tell the receptionist that you need an appointment urgently because of your symptoms? Most GPs are offering telephone consultations initially, but they can see patients at their discretion after this. Some are just referring people straight to the breast clinic when they hear what the symptoms are.

Do please persist until you have some success.

Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kindest regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you! 
The receptionist asked but I didn't really want to say over the phone. Any ideas what it could be other than the obvious??? 

Hi Elou67 

I hope it's nothing but I'm glad your being seen! 
I will try that tomorrow morning thank you! I know the receptionist at my local doctors are a nightmare, they want to know what's going on before even giving you an appointment!x 

Hi Ncb2020,

The receptionists are supposed to ask  in order to cut down on unecessary appointments with the GP. Give a simple explanation as Elou suggests. They hear this frequently throughout the week, so it means nothing to them.

I am not a doctor, simply another breast cancer warrior, so cannot say what else it could be. I don't know what age you are. Could it be hormonal, a cyst, a swollen lymph node?

I hope that your perserverance pays off and  that you get seen soon.Please keep us posted.

Kindest regards,

Jolamine xx