My older sister (49) was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 weeks ago. I was with her the day she got the results, and she said her consultant had recommended that I get myself checked (I'm 46).
My sister said to check my arm pits too, which I did there and then, and I found a lump. I was convinced that I was imagining it, or feeling something that should be there, but I made a GP appointment for the following week anyway, just to get it checked.
I then (possibly stupidly) Googled lump in arm pit and it came up with lymphoma, or non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I have some of the symptoms, mainly tiredness, night sweats/ drenches, pain in my arm and itchy skin.
At the appointment I explained about my sister and the doc did a full breast exam. She said no lumps in my breast but definitely one in my arm pit, and she did an immediate referral to the 2 week wait clinic. I told her about my googling and the other symptoms I have, and she added them to the referral. At no point did she say it could just be a cyst. She just said definitely a lump.
The clinic rang me the next day and booked me in, for the 22nd, which is/ will be 1 week later. Obviously the care I've already received has been amazing, and I'm very impressed at the speed of it all.
However, being a natural pessimist, I have convinced myself that I do have cancer, partly so that I can't get 'bad' news, and partly so that I have prepared myself for the worst! I don't know if that makes sense but it does to me.
I've told my mum and sister, and then regretted it, as they are now worrying about me. My mum wants to come with me on Tuesday or wants my husband to come. I selfishly just want to go on my own and get it over with, without having to worry about how it is affecting someone else.
My instinct is to protect my mum (she's 78) and lie if it's bad news, but I know I can't do that. I just don't want people to worry about me and maybe pity me, or think differently of me.
Has anyone got experience of a lump in the arm pit? The closer I get to the appointment the more nervous I am getting!
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.
General health
Lump in arm pit
28 replies
FluffyPJs · 20/10/2019 19:34
OP posts:
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.