Hi!

A few years ago I had lymph nodes under my jaw, one in my left armpit and one small in my neck. I ve done all the tests and I have been to countless different specialists. On the ultrasound they seemed reactive but we never found out why. This winter I went for a normal check up with a doctor for anual breast ultrasound and the lymph node in my armpit was gone. I still have those under my jaw and they swell sometimes and if I touch them they are painful a bit. Never got my answer. Why were they swollen in the first place and especially the one in my armpit. I ve been checked for countless infectious diseases including HIV and others. Nothing. I was 20 back then. Now I m 25. Just like you, i thought there was something very wrong with me.

The odds are very strongly against your doctor being mistaken. Yeah, mistakes do happen sometimes, and when they do, we tend to hear about them, but we don't hear about the vast majority of cases when a doctor thought everything was fine and it really was. The fact that there is one person somewhere in the world that had a doctor make a mistake does not mean your doctor has. And you have had two doctors say it feels normal. I would guess it would be extremely unlikely that both would be mistaken.

I also suspect the reason you are seeing cancer stories is because it is on your mind. Those stories were probably around at all times but you are noticing them now because of the coincidence of seeing them when you are worried about cancer.

Hi Blondegirl,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear about your anxiety. We all feel stressed when we are waiting for confirmation of a diagnosis. Many ladies have naturally lumpy breasts, but they don't all develop cancer. I am not a doctor, but I understand that lymph nodes can swell as the result of a minor infection. Your Covid could well be the cause of your swelling. Lymph nodes that swell like this usually resolve naturally, but some never go away. 

There seem to be a number of positives in your story. It is reassuring to hear that both doctors feel confident that there is nothing amiss. It is also good to know that the ultrasound you had in July didn't find anything untoward. You describe your lump as small, smooth and moveable. It would be more of a worry if this was large, jagged at the edges and fixed. You also talk about pain - it is uncommon to have pain associated with breast cancer. 

Once you become aware of your breasts, it is normal to keep feeling them for reassurance. Try not to poke and prod too much, as this will make you feel sore. Finally, remember that "it isn't cancer until you're told that it's cancer". We all find this a worrying time. Try to keep preoccupied with other pastimes - this will help the waiting time to pass. Whatever you do, stay away from all social media, as this will only serve to scare you further.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi lovely girl, so sorry I have only just seen this as I couldn't go back on this chat as I have spent the last 3 weeks so stressed and sick with worry it's been unbearable. I hope this is still useful too you and can bring you a little bit of relief. Today I went to the breast clinic and had an ultrasound on my left breast and armpit. They said my lymph node wasn't swollen and was completely normal but I can feel it because I'm slim but also because sometimes lymph nodes are close to the skin and that is the reason we can feel them. The doctor also today me that if you have had a vaccine of any sort in the last couple of months it can cause lymph nodes to swell. Also sometimes you can have a very mild cold you hardly notice and your lymph nodes or just 1 lymph node can swell. I don't know how to start a private message on this so would you be able to start a message and I can try my best to help and explain my situation. Please try not to worry too much it's so much easier than done I was so stressed and worried and it's all turned out okay and it will be the same for you xxxxx