Welcome from the Community team

Hello,

I saw this and I thought I would say hello.

I saw my GP yesterday as I have a painless lump in my armpit. She did an examination (which hurt) of my armpits and said she could feel a small swollen lymph node deep down (whatever that means) and the lump could be fatty tissue. She is referring me to a breast clinic as urgent due to where lymph nodes is and I how anxious and worried I am and it would put her mind at rest. I am in a right state.

I have PTSD as I had cervical cancer 6 years ago and I was given the all clear (thankfully) and discharge from the cancer hospital. My PTSD is from the treatment and several major operations (colostomy and an urostomy).

Thank you for reading, take care and stay safe.

Hi LisaCardiff and welcome to the breast group. Sorry you’re going through the anxiety of tests at the moment, it’s truly tortuous when you’re waiting for appointments and results. You’ve clearly already been through enough with your previous cancer, great you’ve had the all clear but you’re still left with the PTSD. And now a scare with the armpit lump. I can only suggest that you try to keep busy with other stuff during this horrible limbo time. Try to bear in mind that most lumps turn out not to be cancer; and there are lots of other reasons for lymph nodes to be swollen. It’s good you’ve been referred to the breast clinic as only they can check you out and give you the answers you need. 
Sending love and hugs, will be hoping that you are a short term member here, and that the clinic can put your mind at rest. We will all be here for you. Keep posting, ask questions, and as I’m sure you know already, stay away from Dr Google! Love and hugs, HFxx

• Hi HappyFeet1

Thank you for the welcome.

Yes, it is a horrible limbo time. The GP said the breast clinic should see me in 2 weeks. I will let you know when I hear anything.

I am a bit brighter today, not much but a bit. 

I read your bio and you have been through a lot.brave lady. 

Good advice to stay away from Dr. Google but I look up.every ache and pain. 

Thank you for your kindness and take care and stay safe.

Lisa.

HiLisaCardiff Sorry to find you here -You've done extremely well to get apost posted ( site has been updated this week and is very unpredictable at the moment!!) Hope this posts this time. You will hear from Breast test Wales very soon I am sure-they are based in Cathedral road Cardiff. I was there myself in March just as lockdown was coming in .I cannot speak highly enough of the staff there -so kind and understanding and their aim is to be a one stop diagnosis centre .I was told I had breast cancer on my first visit and this was confirmed officially when the results were available from the biopsies I had taken. Some of the ladies were sent away having been told they were all clear and hopefully you may be one of them. If not then you will be given a plan of treatment and explanations given in clear language. I have since had lumpectomy (WLE) and sentinel node biopsy , followed by Radiotherapy and now taking Letrozole for at least 5 years. Treatment is planned on a individual basis so my treatment is not like others in this group.Fingers crossed you get good news soon but if not the on line community will hopefully be able to support you. Sending hugs xxKwissy

Hi Kwissy,

Thank you for your reply and great to know you are in the same area as me. I am sorry to learn about your diagnosis and I am sure you will get better and get back to full health.

My GP told me the Breast Clinic is at Llandough Hospital and I checked online and it is. I am sure I read ages ago there was a test centre on Cathedral Road.

She either said it will be in 2 weeks or I will hear in 2 weeks. I was crying and panicking (I have PTSD due to cervical cancer 6 years ago and 2 years in hospital and I have a colostomy and an urostomy).

She said she thinks it is fatty tissue (armpit) however she felt a small swollen lymph node and where it is she wants me to go to the breast clinic and to put her and my mind at rest.

Thank you for your kindness, take care and stay safe.

Lisa x

PS: I know what you mean about this site being difficult to post.

Hi again LisaCardiff

Sorry didn't mean to mislead you-I am in the Vale but was referred to Cathedral Road in March this year. Either way I am sure the staff will be equally kind and explain everything. Like you I have a previous history of cancer and completely understand the panic.Mine was 21 years ago ,also breast cancer but in the other breast and different type. But on the good side I am still here and looking forward to a good life.Breast cancer is not the killer it once was and I have been amazed how things have moved on .

Take care of yourself and try not to worry too much (I know that is much easier said than done! ) Sending big hugs and lots of good vibes  xxKwissy

Hi LisaCardiff, strange but I am also in the Vale of Glamorgan and was diagnosed with breast cancer in June, again at the Breast Centre in Cathedral Road, they have been using that due to COVID and weren't risking people going to Llandough, not sure if that is still the case but either way the staff at both places are lovely!! It is better to be safe than sorry and they mostly do refer people as urgent so don't let that panic you.  I have had my lumectomy, got results yesterday and it hasn't spread so good in that sense, I still need chemo due to the type of cancer followed by radiotherapy but am just relieved I have had the cancer cut out. Please try and keep busy and worry about it when you know what you are facing which hopefully wont be anything, good luck when you do get your appointment xx

Hi Kiradun,

Wow, how strange we are all in the same/similar area. The circumstances are rubbish.

Sorry your not well but it must be a relief to have it cut out. 

The fatty tissue is still there however I have pain around the outside of my breast. 

How long did you wait until you got your appointment? Did they phone or write to you? My GP said 2 weeks but I don't know if she meant I will hear from breast clinic in 2 weeks or if my appointment will be in 2 weeks, as I became hysterical. 

Hope the chemo goes well and works and you get better.

Lisa x

Hi Kwissy, 

Thank you for your kind reply.

I didn't think for one minute that you were misleading me. Either Cathedral Road or Llandough is fine, as long as it is sorted.

The fatty tissue is still there and the thing is I don't know how long it has been there and I have been having intermittent pain around the outside of my breast.

Sorry to learn you had cancer previously. I hope.you are recovering well. When I had cancer of the cervix I had chemo and radiotherapy at Velindre. 

Anyway, I hope you have a nice restful weekend.

Thinking about you and sending hugs,

Lisa x

HiLisaCardiff,

I too went to Velindre for radiotherapy and the staff were wonderful.I hope you get your appointment very soon so that you can stop worrying so much.Understandable though that is it won't change anything and could take up a lot of time to no avail. Sending big hugs .

kiradun1 It's very strange that we are all in the same general area. Glad that your results were good and hope that you have your chemo and radiotherapy in Velindre as the staff were so kind and understanding there I found. Be gentle with yourself and rest if you need to but a little exercise is helpful too.

Sorry to combine this but hope this posts ok  this time. Wishing you both well and sending hugs Kwissy xx