3.5cm lymph node found by US

beahm3

Hi- and thank you all for being here. I am a 64 yo pretty healthy woman with no previous breast issues...until now. I got a mammogram about 4 weeks ago that came back fine. But, I have had a "puffy" kind of achy area in the front of my right armpit. I've noticed it in the past but it usually subsided over time. And since I do alot of heavy lifting and gardening I thought it might be muscle. Anywho..I followed up with my GP who said it was probably an inflamed tendon from all the digging I had been doing. But, knowing how I worry, she said I could go get an US to ease my fears...and that there was no urgency. She had also reviewed my mammogram before this visit. So, off for an US I go. Technician said that "if I see a lymph node I also have to look at breast tissue"...she did. A little achy as she pressed in an area or two.Radiologist looked at pictures, came in and said it could be an inflamatory lymph node. He wanted to compare my mammogram with his US images and then would send to my GP. Well, GP called me the next day to review his results. The lymph node is about 1.5 x1". Radiologist suggests needle biopsy with 6 mo follow up. GP recommends going to a surgeon to have entire lymph node removed. Yikes. What to do. I have an appt in 2 days with a surgeon for a consult. Will definitely get a 3rd opinion. But, I was wondering if its possible this isnt even a lymph node? Can they tell for sure? Also, I had a "mild" case of Shingles about a month and a half ago and was wondering if lymph node may still be reacting to that? Kind of grasping at sraws. Thank you for any comments and again thanks so much for being here!