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Breast lumps and lymph nodes, anyone similar?

Flossy74
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Hi everyone 

I've finally given in and decided to post myself, just to hear if anyone has had anything similar. Last spring I developed a lump in my left lower armpit the size of a marble. Thought nothing of it and just presumed these things happen! It never went away. Then in October I thought I had flu, I lost all energy (I used to walk 8 to 10 miles a day as exercise), had aching pain by left shoulder blade,and lost my appetite. By Nov I was no better and had lost 10lbs in 4 weeks .Doctor urgent referred me for node biopsy, the appointment is july!!! The hospital been in news lately for how long people wait!

Skip to start of January and there is now a second swollen node, again left armpit but grown bigger and quicker over the month since it appeared. You can see both lumps and dont even need to feel for them they stick out so well.Then last week in shower I saw 2 lumps on left breast towards armpit side rather than towards middle of chest. 

Doctor felt them too, hard and immobile so been 2 week referred to breast clinic. Blood test for infection and inflammation always been clear so it's not due to a cold etc.

My thing is I cant understand why my lymph nodes would have swollen up first way before breast lumps even appeared, I always thought the breast lumps would have been the first thing?? 

Sorry for the ramble but no idea and confused over possibilities! 

  • Offline

    Hello Flossy74, 

    I just wanted to welcome you to our forum. I hope you won't have to wait too long to be seen at the breast clinic. When you see them, do ask them all those questions you have about your lymph nodes swelling up before the breast lumps appeared. I can imagine it must be a very stressful time for you while waiting to find out more.

    I know it is really hard but try not to worry too much or anticipate what it might be. The best thing to do to avoid thinking too much about this is to keep busy and distracted if you can and avoid looking things up online. I can imagine it is hard for you to do this at the moment but it will help you feel a little less anxious. 

    I hope you will also hear from others here who have been through all this before and that they will be along soon to share their story with you. 

    Keeping everything crossed for you that everything turns out fine. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Hi

    Thanks for your comforting words, very much appreciated! Got my letter today to see a breast surgeon next Monday , so only one week to wait to hopefully get some kind of answer!! 

    I'll update with any news incase it helps someone else in the same situation one day xx 

  • Offline in reply to Flossy74

    Hi Flossy74,

    i will be thinking of you next Monday. Step by step...I have my results this Thursday following biopsies that were taken last Thursday. For sure there are times when I'm a bit freaked out...I think that because it all happens so quickly (as it should) one tends to feel that it surely must be bad news. 

    The thing is that no matter what, a diagnosis will calm and focus the mind on the journey ahead, come what may.

    I've dropped my caffeine right down which does help the anxiety, and focused on a bit of delcuttering...nothing quite like it to lighten the mind.

    best wishes, and much strength to you, and I'll be listening if you want to talk

    x

  • Offline in reply to deefor

    Thanks for that Deefor, and yep darn right the head runs riot whilst waiting lol. Doesn't help when every morning and evening when I shower and dress etc the lumps are staring back at me ....maybe I should wear a blindfold lol 

    Weirdly enough I too have found that a decluttering of the house helps occupy me, shocking how many things get stored in drawers and never actually get used again Haha.

    Good luck for your results, please let us know how you get on, crossing fingers and toes for you 

    Angie xx 

  • Offline in reply to Flossy74

    Hi Angie. Hope you're doing well. Do you mind me asking what your outcome was? Thank you

     

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