I found a lump on my armpit 2 weeks ago and went to the breast clinic today. The nurse gave me an examination and alongside the lump in my armpit she found another at the top side of my breast on the same side. My heart sank at the news of a second lump. Me and my bf thought it was just former, I couldn’t feel a lump until the nurse showed me whilst lying down.
They did an ultrasound, mammogram and took some biopsies.
I sat with the nurse afterwards to hear what she thought, and she said that she thinks it’s suspected cancer. Shes concerned because the lump in the armpit is a lymph node that’s swollen alongside the lump. I’ll get my biopsy results in about a week, and she’s sending me for a breast MRI.
I have been going between crying and feeling numb since I’ve been home. I’m so worried it’s spread especially because of the swollen lymph node.
Anyone have any positive stories to help me get through waiting for my other tests and results?
I feel so alone and scared right now.
I am a recent nurse graduate who’s meant to be starting my new preceptorship job next week. I don’t know how to tell them, or if I should even work right now until I get these results. Any support or positive stories appreciated.
Sorry, this timing is really crap for you. Might be wise to talk to your ward manager and ask her to book you an appointment with HR, so you know where you stand with your job. Its a lot, to take on a preceptorship under the circumstances, and its probably a better aim to delay it until you’ve had any necessary active treatment as you need to be able to focus, which is hard to do under the circumstances. I feel for you as a fellow nurse.
Hi @serix
Sorry your in this situation , I know it’s hard to stay positive it’s hard to take in all the tests waiting for results , I would talk to ward manager explain the situation I think you will get lots of support and advice .Wishing you well take care Xx
Welcome to the forum, we are here with love and support for you.
You have had some excellent advice for our other ladies on this site regarding your position at work, I feel sure your HR department will be able to give you all the time that you need.
Once, you have a treatment plan in place and know how and when thing should take place, you will start to feel a bit better, all the waiting for results, takes a big toll on us with lots of anxiety.
Try to keep busy (all very easy for me to say) when you’re feeling so upset maybe, a walk in the park, coffee with a friend, just be kind to yourself.
Wishing you well, please let us know how you are getting on.
Hi @serix
You might see a lot of people panicking about lymph nodes but please don’t worry! I had 1 lymph node with confirmed cancer, and 2 others that looked abnormal but weren’t quite at later stages yet. I remember going into my initial CT scan thinking because it’s in the lymph nodes it’ll definitely be everywhere else, but this wasn’t the case. I actually transferred my care from my original oncologist, they were a bit “doom and gloom” and it wasn’t the attitude I needed. My current oncologist said to me “if you take one thing away from speaking to me, then just know that this is an early stage cancer” even with the lymph nodes, that’s all I needed to know. Fingers crossed for you that further scans come back ok. We’ve all got you!
Hi serix,
I am so sorry this has happened to you. If it does turn out that you have breast cancer the treatments that are now offered have advanced in recent years frequently resulting in a cure. Many of us have been diagnosed with cancer that has spread to our lymph nodes (locally advanced) but through treatments have become cancer free and live for many years, eventually dying of other causes.
Presently you are at the start of your journey and this period is really difficult as they are so many unknowns. Obviously your treatments will depend on the many variables that breast cancers can have.
If I were you I would let the ward manager know what is happening. If you decide to start your new job they will then understand why you need time off for appointments and treatments. It can take several week for treatment to start as your team gather information about the type of disease you may have and work may be a distraction during this period. Your breast nurse is giving you a head start by ordering a breast MRI as most of us had to wait until biopsy results were back before this investigation was requested.
Although it doesn’t feel like it now you will get through this. Sending a virtual hug.
