Hey! 
 

So I had an ultrasound about 2 weeks ago and throughout the doctor was talking to me and at the end he kind of gave me a summary of what he thought. I think if they have been told possible biopsy needed then they may do one if they feel its needed but it depends which department you have your ultrasound in i think. I hope ot goes well. My ultrasound was fine it was just a good look at all of the glands in my neck and not just the ones that were swollen. Hope this helps somewhat! 
 

Robyn x

Hi Robyn,

Thank you so much for the response! It definitely helped :) I'm glad that your scan turned out well although I hope you still manage to get an explanation for what caused the lump in the first place. My scan is being done in an imaging ward and so I'm not too sure if the doctors and nurses there do biopsies although I do hope that if I need one I don't have to wait too long.

If you don't mind me asking, what are your swollen lymph nodes like? I'm going a bit crazy reading up online (worst thing to do I know) all the characteristics that my lump has being linked to lymphoma and so I'm hoping that a reactive lymph node can present in the same way. 

P x 

Hi Poppy, 

I'm still really in the dark of what they are but have another appointment on Tuesday. I've found that both lumps have got bigger since my initial appointment. Both of mine feel quite solid and one of them is a little bit movable but not really. It's the other symptoms I've been having that concerns me. I have had a really painful collarbone for about 10 weeks, I'm itchy, so incredibly tired and my breathing has changed. It feels like theres constant pressure on my chest especially when i am lying down. Sometimes i feel I can't take a deep breath and theres sometimes an aching pain when I'm breathing. 
 

Robyn x

Hi Robyn,

Those sound like horrible symptoms to be dealing with. Cancer or not you still deserve to have it fully sorted out and investigated, I hope your doctors are taking it seriously for you. I wish I could give some advice or answers on what those symptoms could be but all I can say is I hope everything is figured out and that you're being supported through it all. And yeah those sound just like my lumps which has calmed me down a bit, hopefully that means there's a good chance my ultrasound will also be clear.

Sending you all the best wishes for your health, P x

Thank you. I am really hoping more is done after my appointment on tuesday. Have you got a date for your ultrasound or are you seeing ENT or Haematology? X

I do have a date, the scan is in about 2 and a half weeks and it's just being done in an imaging ward, I haven't been referred to any specialists or anything. I guess it's good news that my GP didn't urgently refer me as my scan has been scheduled so far into the future but I hate how much time it leaves me to think about things. It also leaves things very close to my return to uni and so I'm scared I may have to choose between extra tests at home if the scan is abnormal or going back to university. And I also hope you get more answers at your appointment, I've been dismissed by doctors before and it's horrible and frustrating. Sometimes you really have to push and advocate for yourself if it feels like you're being ignored but hopefully it won't come to that for you x 

I completely understand that. I am at uni now and have the issue that I am on placement and plan on going home for easter where I wont be able to attend any appointments or scans. It all is just a bit more complicated than it needs to be :confused:

Robyn X

Hiii

I've been having problems with my lymph nodes in my armpit but just wanted to ask where are your swollen lymph nodes and how big are they?

ive been on google too much and I'm about to lose it 

Hey, I know the feeling! I'm also absolutely guilty of going to google too much despite knowing how unhelful it is. I have just one lump and it is a bit behind and below my left ear. It has only just grown to a size where it is making a visible lump but underneath the skin I can feel that it's already grown to about 3cm in size which is fairly big. 

Try not to get too worked up about this which I know is so difficult to do but lymph nodes really do react to anything and everything, I've heard that even stress can make them balloon a bit! But of course if you are worried about your lymph nodes at all go see your GP and get them checked out, have you had them looked at yet?

Hii

basically what happened with me was that 2 months ago I had pain in my armpit and checked it was a tiny lymph node as big as a pea and was a little tender. I waited it out for a week and the pain and tenderness went away but the pea sized lump was still there. Which I saw my GP he said nothing to worry about just keep an eye on it. Legit a whole month later and I feel like overnight it grew as big as 2 fat grapes put together but it's only one lymph node the skin around was red inflamed tender I couldn't even move my arm. I called the GP they gave me antibiotics staright away which helped massively as like 50% of the swelling disappeard and it wasn't tender or painful. But now it's the size of 1 grape and I'm still worried about it as it's not gonna away. Like I know some lymph nodes that get infected don't go back to original size but this big of a lymph node doesn't seem normal it's around 3cm too maybe more i really don't know. I'm seeing my GP for another thing on Wednesday upcoming and I'm going to to tell her I want an ultrasound and possibly take it from there. I'm just worried sick that I can't even eat anymore. I legit hate it here. I was such a happy person and now I'm in this "depressive" mood where I legit don't want to get out of bed because I don't want to think about anything. 
 

I have so many things I'm thinking about. Like it could be leukaemia lymphoma or Breast cancer and if it is breast cancer then the fact that my lymph node is swollen because of it is not a good sign as it would be like stage 3 onwards. I'm only 18 going to be 19 in a couple of months but I'm legit getting sick and tired of being scared of everything. 
 

I've done everything... googled every single thing under the sun. Gone on YouTube to watch story times about how people found they got cancer. Like I know I should stop but I legit can't. For the past 2 months I haven't even been doing uni properly like I legit gave up. Obviously going to do my exams but like I'm not doing anything. 
 

so sorry for rambling. I'm just moving a little mad right now. 
 

Hey, 

I completely sympathise with letting anxiety get the better of you, it happens to a lot of us. The fact that the swelling went down with antibiotics though is an excellent sign and redness and tenderness are more suggestive of an infection than a malignancy. Some infections can make your lump nodes massive and I think some lymph nodes can remain so big after an infection (don't quote me on that though, I'm definitely no doctor) which I'm hoping is my case as well as I remember feeling a bit unwell when my lymph node first appeared so I'm hoping mine is just a bit of residual swelling. Of course I know that being told these things doesn't make it any easier to deal with the anxiety but do try to remember that cancer is very rare, especially in someone so young and the more things that point away from it the better. Breast cancer especially is incredibly rare in someone who is 18.

If the anxiety is getting so much to bear though then I would absolutely encourage you to discuss it with your GP and get them to explain all the symptoms that you're having and what they mean. Be open about your fears regarding cancer and hopefully they can help you by discussing it in detail with you and referring you for further tests. Fingers crossed it's all nothing and hopefully this is all resolved soon :)

@melissa I am a third year uni student, get a letter from your doctor it sounds like you are also suffering from health anxiety like me and it's horrendous trying to focus on uni during a pandemic with health anxiety - they should be relaxed and understanding for you. You are very young it's unlikely to be breast cancer or even any cancer. Ask for an ultrasound. I thought I had one lymph node turns out I had two in there but can't feel two unless

mt one is two stuck together - I think an ultrasound is a good start but it's not been there long. If you shave it could cause inflammation etc so many things can! Wishing you all the best x 

@melissa I am a third year uni student, get a letter from your doctor it sounds like you are also suffering from health anxiety like me and it's horrendous trying to focus on uni during a pandemic with health anxiety - they should be relaxed and understanding for you. You are very young it's unlikely to be breast cancer or even any cancer. Ask for an ultrasound. I thought I had one lymph node turns out I had two in there but can't feel two unless

mt one is two stuck together - I think an ultrasound is a good start but it's not been there long. If you shave it could cause inflammation etc so many things can! Wishing you all the best x 

Hi

i will be doing that in the upcoming Wednesday as I've legit never felt like this. I've legit forgotten about uni it's the least of my worries which I know is bad because I should still care but I can't even make myself do my lectures. Like I'll start them and 3 minutes in I'm thinking about the swollen lymph node and I'll just breakdown then and there. I legit hate this type of anxiety it whatever it is. 
 

that area of the armpit I don't grow hair on so I know it's nothing to do with shaving and I've chnaged my deodorant to a natural one for a month but I can't lie it hasn't helped. I'm just hoping it's an infection or inflammation that hasn't resolved. Thankyou for replying. Means a lot to me.