Waiting for results from lymph node biopsy

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to share my experience and thought and feelings whilst waiting my results. What gives me comfort is seeing so many people in the same position and knowing that there are so many positive stories and outcomes whatever the result. 

I'm not going to lie, I do feel sacred. I am 35 and I have a lump under my left arm and went into hospital yesterday to what I though would be just to double check it was just an inflamed lymph node, 3 hours later I had a physical examination, ultrasound, biopsy and mammogram. It all happened in a bit of whirlwind and it completely knocked the wind out of my sails! I have three areas of concern two lymph nodes, one abnormally large and one a bit bigger than normal and a small area in my breast that they weren't sure was anything but they have tested anyway.

Unfortunately the radiographer was giving me too much information and saying the largest lymph node looked very suspicious, which has made me worry. I did remark that the lump had actually decreased in size to which he remarked cancers can lose fluid. I was by myself and I felt like I had been diagnosed before I actually have been. Has anyone else ad the experience of a radiographer causing unnecessary worry and then it all turned out to be ok? 

The lead consultant said they wouldn't know the result until the biopsy came back so here I am now waiting! 

 

 

  • Hiiii,

     

    im not going to be no good help with the biopsy as I haven't had it yet but whatever the root cause of all of this is you have to remember it could be nothing and not be anything serious. 
     

    I currently have a swollen lymph node in my armpit too. It got really big and inflamed tender and red which antibiotics were prescribed and I took them which helped a lot but the lump is still there and still a big but not as big as it was before.  
     

    how big is the lump on your armpit? Did it ever hurt? 

  • Hi Mellisa,

    Yes I'm holding out for a poistive result and that they are just being thorough. I have to go in for another biopsy now as they want to check another site that showed up on the mamogram.

    My lump is moveable and about a 2cm in length. It doesn't usually hurt mainly only from me prodding it, it did get a little tender around my period but thats it. Have you got booked in for a check yet? They may not even need to run a biopsy they may just scan it first and go from there. Thery were very quick to book me in, I think I will have to wait a couple of weeks for the results but I think it is better to know.

     

     

  • Hi Katsta 

    I am in a similar position as you in terms of waiting for biopsy of swollen lymph node under my right arm. I went to see the doc as it appeared just like that (from what I know) 1.5 weeks ago and it's fairly hard and not painful as such, is a bit movable. Since I am breastfeeding they did an ultrasound of both breasts and they both looked normal although milk in them obviously but the swollen lymphnode looked a bit different and darker compared to the normal ones (they didn't mention size or shape) so they did a needle biopsy and am now also as you, waiting for the results. Both the sonographer and the lead consultant were supportive and said until biopsy is back (and if conclusive) they cannot know, and said they want to be 100 perfect sure hence the biopsy. Doesn't help you or neither of us but just wanted to say I am in the same waiting position which feels terrible... I do hope the results will have a positive outcome for both of us!

  • Hi

    i will be praying for the results to come back all clear. I've been trying to get an ultrasound but they are making is really difficult due to Covid. They said they will call me this week but I sti haven't gotten a call and if by tomorrow I don't I'm going to call the hospital because I know from past experience that you have to nag them and follow up. 
     

    I feel like they would want a biopsy because my one is around 2cm too. I mean I don't actually know exactly but it's the size of a grape. I'm just hoping that because it was infected it's just not going down because of that as my doctors have said sometimes infected lymph nodes don't go back to it's original size however I feel like the lymph node is still a bit too big but wayyyyy better than how it was when it was red inflamed and tender that I couldn't move my arm!!

    im sure the waiting game is the most stressful! How long does it take for the results to be back from a biopsy?

  • Hi Metem,

     

    I know it's horrible, I think it takes its toll on the family also as they worry for you too! I had a call to go back as they want to biopsy an area of microcalcifaction which I hear is common in the breast but they also want to check that too! At least I know they would have checked every single part of my breast. I think they do more tests when the answer is not obvious and I think lymph nodes can enlarge for so many reasons so we have every hope to be positive.

  • Hi Mellisa,

     

    Has your GP seen it recently? They should make the referral for you to have some tests if it doesn't go away. I was only referred last week and got seen yesterday so they should fast track you if they think it needs some investigating. 

  • Hi 

     

    my GP saw it legit 2 days ago but they are classing it as a "reactive lymph node" and I feel like they are saying that as the antibiotics worked when it was double its size and they just think it was an infection. They aren't worried at all. But I'm a very worried person so I emailed my nurse which is because I have Crohn's disease and she said she can arrange an ultrasound for the peace of my mind. 
     

    the ultrasound doctor called me on On Friday and said they will arrange an appointment but they can't right now so they well call me in a few days which I didn't receive a call so I called them and then they said to be they put me as an impatient in the hospital so they thought I was staying at the hospital so that had to be changed. I just know if I ask the GP they are going to think I'm over reacting as they've said the antibiotics have helped so it must be an infection and infected lymph nodes don't all go back to it's original size but like this lymph node isn't pea sized so I want to make sure. 
     

    they took my bloods when the lymph node was really tender painful and extremely swollen (before I took the antibiotics) and my bloods were all fine apart from my CRP which is my inflammation marker which is high anyway as I have Crohn's but they've said it's most likely caused by the infection and my WHite blood cells were a little high too which they think it's linked with the infection. Everything is showing signs of infections but I still have doubts as the lymph node is big. 
     

    sorry for rambling I'm just scared right now 

  •  

    Hi Melissa,

    I know it's hard try not to worry. Hopefully as your GP knows your medical history well they are making the right decison for you based on the facts they have, but still if you are worried try and push them for a referral to put your mind at ease. 

  • Hiii

     

    i have an appointment with the GP on Wednesday which seems like such a long way away. I have another issue to talk about but I know that I will mention my lymph node and how it's still big and that I want an ultrasound. 
     

    im gonna need all the prayers I can get xxx

     

    mellisa

  • Hi, I just wondered if you'd gotten results yet? 
     

    I went for an appointment at breast clinic yesterday as I have a lump in armpit. 
     

    They found nothing in my breasts but said I had a swollen lymph node that was a little on the big side and wanted to take a biopsy. I should get results a week Tuesday. 
     

    I suffer so bad with health anxiety so I'm terrified. After the biopsy the consultant said to me that it was only borderline the size they would do the biopsy so that he hoped that would make me less anxious, he said it could be my body reacting to the covid vaccine doing its job, he said the fact that they'd found nothing else in my breasts and none of my other lymph nodes are swollen is positive and as they have put me on antibiotics and it did settle it down suggests it less likely to be a tumour as they don't generally react to antibiotics, he was so kind he said as a dr of course he cannot say 'you are fine' because there always that small chance but he said he hoped what he'd said had given me some reassurance. 
     

    Just a waiting game now, I have a 7 year old son and the thought of anything happening to me just overwhelms me so much xx