Hi,

I am new to this myself, having received a diagnosis last month which I was expecting to be routine so went by myself thinking nothing of it.

It sounds to me as though you have already borne more than enough on your own shoulders and have been amazingly brave.

I understand your feelings for not wanting to take family, but would really recommend taking someone with you. Do you have a friend you confide in that would go along? Fingers crossed it is nothing, but if it is there is a load of information you have to take on board and questions you may ask that are then too she’ll shock to take the answers in. Having talked about it to someone already will mean they can pick up in things you may miss. 

I really feel for you and hope you will take someone. People will want to support you and having someone to talk to not matter what happens will make things easier.

good luck with everything.

Hey Hun, 

Like you, I'm 22, but when I first found a worrying lump, I was only 18 too. Waiting for results is so horrible, it's the not knowing which makes it a whole lot worse. 

With regards to your questions, doctors will always try to tell you not to worry, if only to keep you calm throughout the whole waiting process. It doesnt necessarily mean either you have something or you dont, so dont read too much into that. 

As for the lump itself, there are many things it can be other than the most sinister diagnosis. It may be a swelling of the lymph node, a cyst etc. Unfortunately, most things present to you the same was something worse would, and even if your consultant was thinking of a cyst etc. They would have the tests and biopsy done to confirm or deny their thoughts. 

The biopsy cut itself will be rather sore and painful after you've had it done. The redness should go down within a few days, but try to keep the dressing clean, take it off when you've been told to, and you shouldn't have any problems. Depending upon how deep they've had to get a sample from, or how they've had to wiggle about to get to it (sorry for being gruesome!) It will be more sore as you've had it pulled about more. Also, when local anesthetic wears off, the pain of something always hits you more. Just try to keep it clean like I said. 

And with the results, even if it is nothing, take a family member with you. I know what it's like to not want to worry them, and with the history of cancer in my family, even before my mum was diagnosed, I didnt want to worry them even more. But no matter what those results are, I can promise you you'll feel so much better having someone there with you. Even if it just turns out to be that they kept you company while waiting through any clinical delays. Like I said, I know its hard when you dont want to worry them, but you've been through so much on your own already. And if that was a family member, who didnt tell you about it and how much it was worrying, youd definitely have wanted to be there for them. So please consider taking someone. 

I wish you Good Luck for your upcoming appointment, and remember to stay away from Dr Google in the meantime, he will have you diagnosed with some rare, tropical disease even when you only have a cold, Haha. Keep smiling and keep being brave. Remember you have your family there, you just need to let them know. And theres many of lovely people on this forum who will offer helpful advice, and always offer a friendly ear. 

Lots of love, 

Alexia xxx

Hi, [@Sc24770]‍ 

Thanks you for replying!

I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis! You can get through this I’ve been searching stuff up weeks and I’ve heard how a lot has changed in terms of medication and treatment in the last few years so keep positive.

That kind of changes things in terms of going on my own I might as my best friend to come along as I told her more a less what I know but at first I really didn’t want anyone  to come but I’m highly thinking about asking her to come along now.

Yeah your right there hopefully it is nothing but if it is something I will actually zone out and I know I definitely will so yeah I think I’m gonna ask my her to come along as she wouldn’t judge and she would be happy to come along as support and I know it wouldn’t be a problem for her. The hard part now is actually asking her.

And I agree with you as you have been through the process of waiting and getting the results (and I’m sorry to here that you have had to go through all you did)

Thank you very much for replying I really appreciate it!

Goodluck with everything and remember you can get through this!!

[@AlexiaT]‍  hey hun,

Yeah I completely agree I’ve been waiting months to just talk to my gp as I was scared of what he would say then when I went to the gp he sent me on to the breast clinic they ordered an ultrasound (2 week wait)  then on the same day as the ultrasound (which is unusual) they ordered a biopsy and done it on the same day which worry’s me more!

yeah the thing that worried me about the whole doctor thing was she said “I don’t think it’s anything serious but I want to get a biopsy” and then straight after that “but I really do advise bringing someone along to collect the results”

yeah about the lump it’s under my arm in and around my lymph nodes noticed a year ago this month but then I had a really bad tooth infection that spread and my jaw and chin shot up *** a balloon and every since there has been 2 lumps under my chin but they don’t worry me because they could just be whatever is left over from the infection (I am in a seperate clinic for those lumps but the ultrasound for them isn’t until mid August and it was ordered in the start of February) so yeah it could just be a bad lymph node and I am prone to infections so I’m hoping that’s what it is.

And about the biopsy the wound on the biopsy is at the end of my armpit and the lump is at the top of the armpit is that normal? And surprisingly it’s not as sore as I thought it would be now don’t get me wrong it’s sore when I do certain things or move my arm up to much but it’s really not as sore as I thought it would be.  I work 2 late shifts during the week and 2 morning shifts on the weekend and apparently I can’t work for 3-5 days as it involves heavy lifting so that means I have no pay this week which isn’t good lol and I had to pay €80 for biopsy yesterday and I go to school and apparently I can’t carry my school bag as it’s too heavy because I’m in 6th year (leavening cert year) 

I was telling my best friend more a less everything about it so I was gonna ask her to come along now I know she will have no problem with coming it’s just asking her like would she judge me or something and I know she has work but If I ask she will take it off and that’s ok but then I’m taking her out of work for a day so I’m not sure I’ll definitely mention it tho! And compared to you and other people on this I have been through nothing there’s so many people on here that have the C word and are struggling to cope or need someone to talk to Like other reasons and here I am on here not even knowing if there’s anything wrong I feel terrible for coming on here when it could be nothing! Do you get what I’m saying or do I just sound stupid?

Oh doctor google has already diagnosed me which is why I don’t why I never wanted to go to the gp as I was scared that there would be something wrong I told my family but not fully what it was like just bits and pieces not exactly what was going on! And there really is lots of helpful  people on this forum including yourself thank you so much for taking the time to reply you’ve been so helpful I really wish you and your mum the best of luck.

Many Thanks, 

Nathan

Heya, 

I completely understand, not knowing seems to be worse than knowing! My mum said even when she got diagnosed, it was a relief because she wasnt waiting around, her treatment could start and she knew what was going on. The fear of the unknown is a horrible thing! 

And honestly, some doctors dont have the kind of people skills to reassure someone and she may have said it just to cover herself in case of the worse. But if it is a lymph node or something like that, they still may be able to treat it, which will get rid of some worry for you. Ah I feel for you having two other awkward lumps to deal with! Such an awkward place too. 

The biopsy mark sounds about right, when mum and I have had lymph nodes checked, they haven't gone dead on the place that youd think, the one thing I can think of that they may do, is to do a further reach, and test the lump, and surround nodes or tissue around it, so going so far away may have been the easiest way to do it. But I'm so glad it hasn't been too sore for you, like I said, keep it clean and keep an eye on the redness. €80?! Where do you live? If you dont mind me asking of course. That's rubbish for you money wise, but take the doctors orders, you can make more money, but you just rest for now. You'll have to find a backpack you can carry around your neck or something Hahahahaha. 

Definitely take your friend with you, you're so considerate thinking of her losing a days pay, but I'm sure that being a good friend to you, she wont even think of that, she will think more about the fact she gets to be there for you, and will know you're not going it alone. If it were her, youd prefer her to ask to go with her rather than alone wouldn't you? Youd do the same for her, and like I said I'm sure all she's concerned about is you. Not work nor money, just you. You dont sound stupid at all, I completely get you, but you're going through a worrying time, waiting for results for the same kind of thing, and that's what this lovely place is for. To be there for people, and (hopefully) help put their minds at rest. 

Just let them know you've had some routine tests done if you dont want to worry them too much, then just let them know you're having to go back in to see what the docs say, kind of make it sound casual, but so that they still are aware (does that make sense? Or do I sound stupid now? Hahaha) Thank you for your lovely comments about my mum and I, my mum has her last chemo tomorrow! 6/6! Somehow it's gone so quickly, but may I say she's absolutely kicking chemo and  cancers a**! Her lump has gone, which is the best that could have happened considering hers was a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, and she's having surgery on May 10th! I'm so proud of her, she's literally been so brave, and tomorrow Mark's the near of the end! Wahoo! 

I'm so so glad I could help you even a little bit, I hope its helped reassure you and been a little comfort for you too, because like I said I know how horrible it can be when you're waiting for answers about something like you are. Add me as a friend on here, and message me any time. Honestly, even if you think it's something stupid, I'll be here to listen, you'll never be alone here! 

Lots of love, 

Alexia xxx

Hi,

good I’m glad you have someone to support you, it will help massively.

as Alexia said, don’t google too much. A lot is out of date, or not relevant to the UK.

In the meantime, good luck with everything, let us know how you get on. You will be in my thoughts.

Hi [@AlexiaT]‍ 

Sorry I haven’t been on this lately!!

Yeah to me it’s the waiting that’s bugging me and making me worst I just can’t help but think the worst and the results are not until Friday at 11am but anytime I’ve had an appointment up there I’ve been waiting about 40 mins to an hour after appointment time and that’s not a problem because I know they are doing there job and just busy as every situation is completely different

And yeah I think it was people skills she was lovely but wasn’t very chatty and all I do is talk lol

And yeah the thing that worry’s me about the 2 other lumps under my chin is there’s also a lymph node that passes through there (as far as I’m aware anyway) and then other lymph nodes are swollen but not a lump (if you understand) they are just inflamed and not in a lump unlike the underarm and the chin which are lumps

And it just seemed like a weird place to put the needle compared to where the lump is like I can guarantee she didn’t take a sample of the lump she just took a sample of the lymph node itself which is gonna worry me and I’ll ask a question around that on Friday (as you can tell I’m a very bad patient I just overthink everything and get scared lol)

And I live in Dublin I usually get what we call a medical card which basically gives me free medical services so up until February I got free medical services but you apply every year and I applied when I got the renewal letter in December (so did Mam and sister) and I thought everything was ok until the other day and mam and sister got there’s in the post (same envelope and everything) and mine didn’t come so I rang straight away and they tried to tell me that they suspect I’m working and I said were and they called out the address of my job that I left almost a year ago (I left because I was sick) and I got my papers to say I left and everything so I rang my old job and apparently I left but I’m still on there payroll so over them I have to pay for all these appointments because my old job that I left a year ago “forgot” to take me of there payroll so I have to do a claims form that will take weeks or even months to get the money back and then for the medical card I have to go through the whole application process again which is really annoying if I’m honest 

And omg if it was the other way around I would literally kill her for not asking me in fairness lol I’d actually flip at her for doing it alone and yeah I asked my other friend (again don’t want her missing days in work over me I’ve already made her book 3 days off for a little city break for us in June and then another day for the westlife concert that I camped out 13hrs for) so my other friend has agreed to come with me and then my best friend gets lunch at 1pm so if I’m out I said I’d go over to her to get some coffee (the usual coffee and a chat on her lunch) and this forum is helping a lot :) 

No that sounds great just make it seem as casual as possible!

And omg I know I’m late but congratulations to your mum I’m over the moon for her she seems so brave like that’s just amazing how did it go? Has she heard anything back yet? And she seems like a VERY strong women the surgery will go just fine I’m really delighted I’m actually going to bed feeling positive tonight just made my night that has :)

You’ve been an amazing help thanks very much and I Feel the pain you went through it’s just something you never think is going to happen to you isn’t it I added you as a friend just there and thanks I will definitely message you if there’s something wrong and I know I don’t know much around cancer but If you need to talk I’m here too listen too just message me anytime 

thanks so much 

nathan x