found a lump

[mama2toomany]

Ok first off I should say I had babies last thursday. My milk has come in.

But I never do breast exams . Why? I don't know! I just never think about it ever, with the amount of cancer in my family, you would think I would do them.

So tonight I was laying in bed naked enjoying being naked and not in the hospital, my boobs were sore, so I was rubbing them, then my hand slide to the side, and there it was. It is right under my armpit, not quite in the meat of my breast, its like above that right under my armpit. Its big, about the size of a golf ball. It isn't a "milk" lump or like a hard spot like you get when your milk comes in, its a smooth lump inside.

My concern is that it isn't in the meat of my breast. Its right under my underarm.

It isn't painful and isn't from deodorant or irritation its deeper then that and no pain at all.

Is it possible it can be there from pumping?? It is not echoed on the other side, so its not a part of my body. Its very big and scary. My husband could clearly feel it, it feels perfectly round and smooth. What do you know of bad lumps and ok lumps?

If course now I am kicking myself in the butt for never doing exams. I can't tell you the last time I have checked out my boobs. I don't remember.


I will circle where it is and take a picture of it tomorrow, you won't be able to see it, but you will get an idea of where and how big it is.

Any thoughts? Is this just paranoia?

ETA: My mother had Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when she was younger, my grandmother on my fathers side died of ovarian cancer, and I had a cancerous cells burned off my cervix as a teenager.

[amberskyfire]

Oh mama, I am SO SO sorry you are going through a scare right now. Believe me, I know. I was in your place several years ago. Everything turned out to be just fine.

First, this isn't always true, but maybe it will give you some peace of mind. Smooth roundish lumps are usually a good sign. A tumor that has metastasized usually has irregular edges because it is growing and spreading into the tissue around it, not remaining within its own small sac.

Also, another plus is that it's located right where your lymph nodes are and lymph nodes very regularly swell up into large circular balls. If your immune system is really in overdrive, your lymph node(s) may swell up to the size of a golf ball. It's not uncommon. Usually, they are not sore, but they may be.

Do you wear a bra? If so, try going without (I know this is hard when your milk has just come in, LOL!) one for two or three days and see if it helps. If the swelling goes down, it was probably either a lymph node or some kind of duct block. Whenever I would wear a bra after having my baby, I was prone to getting blocked ducts because of where the bras pressed against my side. The bras fit well, I was just prone to mastitis, I guess. I had it three times

At any rate, definitely get checked out RIGHT AWAY! But I'd put money on it being a swollen lymph node because your immune system is fighting something off You may have a mild infection.

[mama2toomany]

Originally Posted by amberskyfire

Oh mama, I am SO SO sorry you are going through a scare right now. Believe me, I know. I was in your place several years ago. Everything turned out to be just fine.

First, this isn't always true, but maybe it will give you some peace of mind. Smooth roundish lumps are usually a good sign. A tumor that has metastasized usually has irregular edges because it is growing and spreading into the tissue around it, not remaining within its own small sac.

Also, another plus is that it's located right where your lymph nodes are and lymph nodes very regularly swell up into large circular balls. If your immune system is really in overdrive, your lymph node(s) may swell up to the size of a golf ball. It's not uncommon. Usually, they are not sore, but they may be.

Do you wear a bra? If so, try going without (I know this is hard when your milk has just come in, LOL!) one for two or three days and see if it helps. If the swelling goes down, it was probably either a lymph node or some kind of duct block. Whenever I would wear a bra after having my baby, I was prone to getting blocked ducts because of where the bras pressed against my side. The bras fit well, I was just prone to mastitis, I guess. I had it three times

At any rate, definitely get checked out RIGHT AWAY! But I'd put money on it being a swollen lymph node because your immune system is fighting something off You may have a mild infection.

Thank you so much for posting so late, I really appreciate it and you are wonderful at calming people!

I am wondering if just the pre/e c/section could cause this? I hope so, like I said its not painful or irritating at all, just scary to feel it. I imagine that its really common and freaks a lot of women out.

I feel better now, and will call the dr tomorrow, chances are with it being the size it is, its been there for awhile now, so one night isn't going to hurt anything.

Thanks so much mama!

Oh and I wear bras but only loose sports bras. I will update when I know more.

Thanks again!

[amberskyfire]

Yes, I also only wear loose sports bras. I REALLY hope it isn't a plugged duct because those are horrible to get rid of. I *hate* mastitis.

Definitely, the surgery and even the birth itself can cause your lymph nodes to swell. They are producing the things that your body uses to fight infection, so if you are exhausted physically AND you've just had surgery, you are definitely likely to have swollen lymph nodes.

Are you on antibiotics right now? If so, your doctor may change your prescription. If you are not currently on them, he will likely put you on them if you have swelling that big. You might just want to know that so you can be ready for the possibility for more antibiotics.

Good luck! I hope it's nothing at all