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enlarged lymph nodes - worried!

SunshineEm
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Hi all! Sorry if this is slightly long to read.

I'm 21, and female. In november, I noticed one of my lymph nodes in my neck was enlarged, without any other signs of illness. Shortly after my groin swelled up, and then I noticed another in my neck was enlarged too. The groin 'swelling' seemed to go down, I occasionally worried about the ones in my neck, but didn't do anything about it. Since november, I have been getting increasingly tired, however this comes and goes. Some days I am fine, other days I am exhausted, and it is completely unrelated to how much sleep i've got! One in particular on my neck seemed to be growing larger, and I then noticed I could actually still feel the one in my groin. I've also seemed to have slightly tender side of my breast, on one particular side, which comes and goes too. I don't know if this is related.

I finally went to my GP on monday, and she examined me and found some more  - another in my neck, one above my collar bone, and another in the other side of my groin. So in total I have 6, that I know of. I'm also convinced another one has swelled up in my armpit since I saw her, but I don't know if this is stress related? The day it felt swollen, the side of my breast on that side was also tender to touch (the opposite to where it has previously been sore). I've also seemed to have developed a 'tight chest' feeling and a chesty cough when I breathe in deeply since seeing her, after she pressed down on my stomach and told me to inhale/exhale, but then again, maybe its always been there/ is stress related? I'm just noticing it now?
I had a chest x-ray this morning, have a CT scan on my neck in just under 2 weeks, and blood tests in about 3 weeks. I feel a bit confused to be honest, I know they're testing 'to rule out' cancer, but what does this actually mean? a specific type of cancer? any cancer? I don't really understand the stages of diagnosis, and how likely really is this to be cancer? I don't think I've had any significant weight loss, and I definitely have not had night sweats to the point I've drenched the sheets, i've woken up hotter than usual some nights but that could be a whole range of things.

 I know lymphoma can cause enlarged lymph nodes - does anyone know if 6 palpable nodes is a bad sign? The one in my neck that I had originally noticed seems to feel quite hard and doesn't move, but my GP did say the ones in my groin area are movable and so that is more 'promising'. I'm trying to stay positive but the worry is really eating away at me, at a time where i'm trying to write my university dissertation too!

Any kind of insight/opinion would be really helpful/appreciated, its driving me crazy!

 

EDIT: I also had glandular fever 2 years ago, so we know it isn't this. 

 

  • Offline in reply to DaveW1970

    Hi all, 

    Hope everyone is doing well (as well as possible). Sending happy thoughts to all! And great news [@charrrhx]‍ :) 

     

  • Offline in reply to scotland0194

    Hi! I wanted to know if you have gone to your ultrasound? 

  • Offline in reply to PositiveJ

    I got a call to inform me that it had to be cancelled. It was supposed to be this Friday but the radiographer is off! Just waiting to hear about another appointment! 

    How are you?

  • Offline in reply to scotland0194

     

    Hi Scotland,

    What a disappointment to have your appointment cancelled. I hope that it won't be long until you get your next appointment and, that you still intend to attend it.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Jolamine, 

    i feel okay about it as I went private and was told reassuring news, and this will hopefully help me to manage my anxiety while I’m waiting for the next appointment to come through. 

    Youve been a great support to me, and others on this thread I’m sure, in times of anxiety and uncertainty! I hope you’re well. 

     

    Katie xx

  • Offline in reply to scotland0194

     

    Hi Katie,

    I was an absolute mess when I was first diagnosed, so I try to be helpful to others in the same position. I am glad to hear that you have appreciated my support - thank you.

    I am keeping as well as any of us can in this situation

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    hi all

    so went for US and FNA today on my right side as last time they found something. But radiologist said it doesnt look like anything of concern, and didnt fo FNA.  because i was a mess crying with all the anxiety i’ve had for last few days he tried to ring consultant but cudnt get through as he wasnt 100% why i had been sent back for this. But he said looking at it he wasnt concerned but would contact consultant and if he does want it doing would be in touch. 

    Hope everyone is ok? Xxxx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi all,

    Today I had my referral for an ultrasound on a lymph node under my arm. I also have raised cervical posterior nodes which were scanned.

    The radiologist said the node under my arm was dense in parts so took a biopsy. They gave me no reassurance and no indication as to what it could be. I have to go back next Wednesday for my results and I'm utterly petrified. I kept asking if cancerous nodes look different to reactive nodes but they didn't give me a straight answer.

    I've had no other symptoms except from weight loss, my anxiety has been severe since losing my nan in September so I've had no appetite, so have put the weight loss down to that.

    I cant explain my fear, I have a young family, a high pressure job which I love and I so frightened that is now all potentially in jeopardy.

    I hope everyone else is well. 

    Rachel x

  • Offline in reply to Rach86

     

    Hi Rachel,

    I am glad to see that you have had your ultrasound and a biopsy carried out today.  What a pity that you got no reassurance  or indication of what it could be from your radiologist. You now have another scary week waiting for results, but I hope that they turn out well.

    You are looking too far ahead and, are being overwhelmed by the plethora of 'what ifs'. Try to take one thing at a time. You know nothing until you get your biiopsy results back, neither does your consultant nor radiologist. You are naturally worried for your family and your job and, I expect, like most of us, you are thinking the worst.

    Even if you do get a positive diagnosis, it is not the end of the world. Cancer treatments have improved a lot over the past few years. I myself have had 2 bouts of cancer. The first was 9 years ago and the second was 8 years.

    Try to keep yourself busy this week to distract yourself from the wait. Do please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    I have all my fingers crossed for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to nicci20

     

    HI Nicci,

    If the radiologist couldn't see anything untoward, this sounds like good news. I hope that he can put your consultant's mind at rest and reassure him that he doesn't see anything to be concerned about.

    Please let us know how you get on.

    Fingers crossed it's going to be fine.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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