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Lump in left armpit sent to breast clinic

Tj7280
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Hi, I don’t really know what answers I’m looking for but I’m getting myself into such a state. I found a soft lump in my armpit in April when I was super run down and it went down quickly within a couple of weeks so I never went to the GP. Another lump appeared in the same armpit in august and I made a GP appointment and they have referred me to the breast clinic, I cried and she said that they would refer even if it was they were 1% worried. I am always run down as I have a job that is quite stressful and prone to catching lergies! I have blood tests this Saturday and my breast clinic is next week. 

I was poorly over the weekend with a cold and the lump seemed bigger although now I’m feeling better it seems slightly smaller. It’s not painful and it’s not an obvious lump more of an oval swelling? 

My anxiety has completely spiralled out of control to the point I can’t think straight, I’m always crying when I’m on my own and I can’t function or get a grip on it at all. I know I should stay away from google but I didn’t and I have basically convinced myself that I am dying. I have suddenly become hyper aware of any sort of ache and pain in my body and I’m convinced that is something sinister. Is it normal to think like this when you are worried? 


I’m a single Mum and late 30’s and the fear has taken over. I can bare to be away from my kids as I feel like I’m wasting time and I’ve become obsessive with tucking them in. I know that nothing is different than it was 2/3 weeks ago other than fear but I can’t get to grip with it. 

I’ve self diagnosed with different types of cancer and I’m such a mess. I know this is the anxiety. I’ve called my doctor to try and bring my appointment forward and they can’t. I don’t really know what I’m asking for but I feel like I need to talk about it but it’s the last thing I want to talk about if that makes any sense. 

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    Hi Tj7280,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    Your anxiety is perfectly normal. We nearly all have emotional problems when we are waiting to be seen at the breast clinic. Copious crying too, is not unusual - however, crying is a good stress reliever. We usually advise people to stay away from google, as it only scares us further and doesn't give us any helpful answers.

    It is normal for lymph nodes to swell due to even a minor infection and it sounds as if this could be why yours are going up and down.

    Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts or fibrous changes. It is a fact that only 2 people, out of every 10 that attend the breast clinic, will get a cancer diagnosis. Even if it does turn out to be cancer, it is eminently treatable. I have had 2 bouts within a year of each other. That was 14 years ago and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

    I'm glad to hear that you don't have much longer to wait for your appointment. In the meantime, we are always here to talk to. We know exactly how you feel from our own experiences. You probably feel a little better, just for writing down how you feel.

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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