“I Knew Something Was Wrong” — The Cost of Courtney’s Misdiagnosis

Last June, Courtney felt a pain in her left breast — the kind of pain that made her pause. Along with it came a strange, feverish knot in her armpit that didn’t feel like it belonged. So, she did what we’re all told to do when something feels off: She called her doctor.

A mammogram and ultrasound followed. The results? She was told she had clogged, infected milk ducts and an enlarged lymph node. She wasn’t breastfeeding, but she trusted the process and took the 10-day round of antibiotics they prescribed.

A month later, she returned for a follow-up. The ultrasound tech casually mentioned her breast looked “better.” No one ever told her what had caused the infection, or why the lymph node had been enlarged in the first place. But she moved on, because what else can you do when the experts tell you it’s fine?

Until it wasn’t.

The Pain Came Back — and Worse

By December, her breast pain had returned — and this time, it was more intense. She could feel the same lymph node under her arm, enlarged and tender again. That knot hadn’t gone away. Something in her gut told her: this is not normal.

She already had a follow-up mammogram and ultrasound scheduled for January. During the exam, as the tech adjusted her breast, she paused.
“Have you felt this lump before?” she asked.

The Words That Change Everything

A biopsy followed in February. Four days later, she got the call.
She had Stage III Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. The lump in her breast was cancerous — 1.7 cm in size. Cancer had also spread to the lymph node under her arm and to one near her breast.

What She Wishes Had Been Different

Courtney says: “Looking back, I can’t help but wonder: What if they had biopsied that lymph node sooner? What if my GYN or the radiologist had asked more questions? What if I had been taken more seriously?”

“I now face aggressive treatment for aggressive cancer. And while I am strong — and I will keep fighting — I carry the weight of knowing this may have been caught earlier. If you take anything from my story, let it be this:

You are the expert of your body. You deserve answers. You deserve better.”

💗 If something feels off — push for more.

If you feel a lump, persistent pain, or swollen lymph nodes… don’t wait. Don’t second guess yourself. Don’t let someone dismiss your concerns. You are worth the follow-up. You are worth the second opinion.

At Perky, we believe in listening to women. That means listening to your gut, too. You know your body best.

✨ Help spread the word.

💬 Know someone who needs to hear this story? Share this post. It might save a life.

Ready to tell your story?

Your voice matters. If you've experienced something similar — and you're ready to be heard, seen, and supported — we’d love to help you tell your story.

Click the link below to collaborate with Perky and share your journey.
Your story could be the one that helps someone else feel less alone or gives them the push they need to fight for further testing.