Am I worrying for nothing?

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Hi guys, forgive me using you as a sounding board but I don’t really want to talk too much around my family, particularly my husband, who worries waayyy too much.

I’m off to the breast clinic next Monday and he wants to come with but I want to go alone. I don’t know how long I’m going to be there and the last thing I need at that time is my husband sitting around waiting for me to finish. Besides, I won’t get the results for a week after that so I just don’t see the point. Also, if it is anything to worry about I want some time for myself, to adjust to how I expect to feel and how best to tell him and my 4 horrible children, lol.

Long story - went to France at Easter and came back with an infection. Asthma kicked in so ended up in hospital overnight. Had a shower and saw this huge swathe of red irritation on my left breast and thought, wow, that’s unusual. Realised my breast had been sore for about a week but hadn’t really paid much attention. It didn’t go away so about 2 wks later I got in touch with the dr (whom I loathe) and was seen by the nurse practitioner who told me it was mastitis. I didn’t actually believe her because at that point, the redness was still there, my breast was swollen and I was compensating for it and it was very hot and a few other things, like I’m post menopausal and I’ve had mastitis before and this didn’t feel the same. Also, the lumps were longitudinal but about 3cm wide - I don’t know if swollen ducts get that wide and there are three of them in 3 different quadrants of my breast. Anyway, they treated me with 2 wks of antibiotics and miraculously after less than 1 day, all the redness disappeared. I know, way too fast for it to be the antibiotics and besides, there is a veiny kind of shadow where the redness was and my nipple is still quite warm, my breast is still swollen and it’s gone into my arm and neck. It’s worst in the morning and I have gigantic knockers (42H). If I lie on my side all I can feel are the lump(s) and they sting/burn so compensating for their size and swelling is a bit of a laugh, really.

I have a sister who has had cancer twice (second time was breast cancer and she had a double mastectomy) and a brother who had breast cancer when he was in his late 30’s or early 40’s - can’t remember.My sister’s coming up to her 5 year breakthrough point and is still taking tamoxifen. My brother was in the army so I know he took a lot of stick over it and it too was removed surgically.

So my question is, what are the chances of this being breast cancer? At the moment I’m vacillating between simplicity (benign) and worst case scenario (leaning heavily on that side actually 'cause I just think I’ve got too many things in there). Now, for whatever it’s worth, I’m not overly concerned because the treatment is whatever it’s going to be whether or not it’s cancer, so I would submit to that anyway. But my husband worries like crazy and that will drive me nuts. Besides, I hate when people fuss over me. My way of dealing with stuff like this is to go to bed and wait til it’s over. Do whatever they tell you and just get on with your life. So I almost don’t care what the diagnoxix/prognosis is, if you see what I mean. I’d just like to know now. Also, I’d like to not have it hurt, like it does now.

Thanks for your help here.

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Hi Crystalflute
I don’t have any useful answers for you about the odds of it being breast cancer or not. But it’s good that you’ll have the chance to get a really expert opinion next week.

I’d say take someone with you. Maybe not hubby if you think he’ll panic (mine does). I take a good friend quite often - someone I know can be straightforward and practical and calm. If nothing else it’s someone to chat to about other things whilst you’re waiting.
I was told results wouldn’t be for a week, but I got them straight away. Not saying this will be the case for you, but sometimes it is. Be prepared…

Hope we can continue to listen and support you
Ann x

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again I have no useful input on what the result might be on monday, but unless the clinic is differnt to mine you may get some type of result on monday. Some ladies were told there and then that it was fine, but some were told that it was definately cancer had a core biopsy that day and then had to wait a week to find out what grade and what type.

i was told i had a complex cyst which might or might not be cancer.

I think only you can decide wether or not to take your husband. mine insisted on coming and was actually out at starbucks getting more coffee when they gave me the news. Although i am a private person and like to get on with things by myself and was actually quite posative about it all I was so glad there was someone to take me home. The bus journey would have been horrid and i dont think i would have been safe to drive.

you know your husband well. what would he feel like if you get less than wonderful news on monday and you had not discussed it with him before you went. My husband would have been so hurt.

Anyway whichever way you decide all the very best for monday. Take a book, they always run late. This is probably going to be one of the longest weeks in your life, with all sorts of thoughts running round in your head, and emotions sneaking up on you just when you thought you were in control.

come onto here–everybody has been there before and remembers what it is like. you will get so much support. No question is too small or silly(i am about to post the most trivial question ever) And it is good to rant, or to express fears on line–well thats how i get by

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Hi CF, you’ve done the right thing in making an appointment to get it checked. There’s no way of knowing what the chances are without doing that, although it’s something like 80% of lumps turn out to be benign. So hopefully it will be ok, and if not it will be treated. It’s a horrible time waiting around for things to be checked, but sending you lots of love and good luck.
Let us know how you get on
xx