Dear Mellisa,

Thank you so much for your response, it really means a lot to me. I'm so sorry to hear that you went through the same thing. 
 

I am unsure if mine is a swollen lymph node because the GP didn't mention lymph nodes at all; she just said that it's a ridge/lump. This makes me so worried and convinced I've got secondary breast cancer, or an undetected cancer that has travelled to the lymph nodes. She also didn't say anything about the vaccine like I thought she would :cry: she just said that she hopes it's not bad, but that it could be. 
 

In myself I've been feeling fine and would hope that I would feel worse if something was badly wrong. I don't know, I'm just all over the place and don't know how to react.

thank you again 

Frankie. 

Hello

your GP probably didn't say anything because it could be lymph nodes, a cyst and probably many other things. 

Age is also a good factor here. Although breast cancer is not impossible to get at 21 it is more rare than if you were 40. 
 

sometimes you really do need to do your own research. The doctors don't like to say anything because they are worried they could be wrong.  
 

just wanted to ask. Is the lump moveable. Is the lump area and area around it red and irritated. And does the lump have a smooth outside. Like the shape of it. Is it circular or like a bean shape or is the shape of it not a specific shape???

mellisa x

Hi Mellisa,

Thank you for your reply. Yes, the GP said that she didn't know what it was and that she wanted to refer me because she doesn't have x-ray vision. It feels strange as it's very hard to find. It basically feels like it can move, but I cannot pick it up and move it, like you would be able to with a marble or pea. I have hypochondria, so my perspective on things is always skewed by my fear of the worst case scenario, but I've asked my family and they say it's soft-ish. My biggest worry is that it's been there for a while, but that I've not noticed it. The area around it is not red and she said it is not an infection from what she can see, but she did mention that it could be a deep infection under the skin  

My family have tried telling me that it's a lymph node or a cyst, but the GP was adamant that it was a ridge shape lump. So from what she said, it's not really a distinct shape, it's like a strip/lumpy patch 
 

Best,

Frankie. 

Hello,

ive never heard of that. To be honest I wouldn't be that worried. Easier to be said then to be done. It could be your tissue thickening. Sometimes breast tissue can come up all the way to the armpit. But I am no doctor. I just like to research every symptom I have and I hate that because it puts you in a dark place. 
 

as your GP said it could be an infection. If it is. A course or 2 of antibiotics should be able to make it go away. Has your doctor not put you on antibiotics. because generally they would and if it doesn't go away then they request an ultrasound. 
 

Mellisa 

Hi Mellisa,

My GP did not offer antibiotics or anything and I think it might be because she didn't know what it was. I've spoken to many family member who all think it a lymph node and to do with my badly done vaccine, but it's just the shape that's troubling me as it's not lymph node shape. I think it could be on the harder side, but as I said, it is moveable but not detached, if that makes sense? She did mention tissue at one point but then said it's a lump, which is what really scared me. I'm just hoping that I get the phone call by Friday, so that I know where I stand in terms of my appointment. 
 

thanks,

Frankie. 

Hi, 

I totally understand how you feel but a couple of things to note. Breast cancer lumps are usually not painful. Also, I had both of my covid vaccines and my armpit (vaccine arm) was sore on both occasions. The lymph node that was investigated for cancer is always slightly more prominent and after the vaccine I was more aware of it but that went after a few days. 

GP's won't say much to reassure you as they simply can't tell what the lump is and they would rather give you worst case scenario.

It's a horrible time and so stressful but try not to worry too much. Avoid google if you can as you will drive yourself crazy. 

Hope this helps !

Stay positive and let us know how you get on

xx

Thank you so much for your reply. It really is such a hard time, I keep looking at my family members and just crying because I have it in my head that I'm going to die. I would like to think it's a lymph node because then it probably would be because of my vaccine, but the GP said it was like a ridge/lump so it makes me think otherwise :cry: I'm just so convinced that I've got breast cancer or lymphoma  and I don't know how to function. 
 

Frankie. 

Thank you for this, Marie. So just to clarify again, your lump turned out to be a lymph node, even though the GP was sure it wasn't? Mine mentioned something about tissue too but then carried on saying it's a lump. I went in thinking she would say it's just a lymph node, but she said that it was a lump and that she didn't know what it was or why it was there. Mine is towards the lower end of the armpit, so not in the middle or at the top, so it makes me worry even more that it is unusual and in a strange place to be a lymph node. I really do appreciate all of your help, it is such a horrific time. I'm so so afraid of being ill and dying. :cry:

Frankie. 

Hi Frankie,

My lump was a normal lymph node. I had a physical exam, an ultrasound and 3 mammograms and all was fine. If I hadn't spent a couple of weeks touching it and squeezing the life out of it because I thought it was cyst it would have gone away on its own. 

My lymph node is a at the front of my armpit almost where it joins the body. 

There is a good chance it's caused by your covid vaccine.
I'm pretty sure I've read somewhere this is a side effect as your body reacts to the vaccine.

x