want to say hi to everyone and hope everyone is keeping in high spririts.
been here for a while now and have to say am flippin getting fed up of this nightmare.
Had pain in my right breast for a couple of months and i mean severe pain. was referred urgently to breast clinic, as 2 courses of antibiotics didnt work along with millions of different tablets and the pain just kept getting worse. went to clinic was in cons office for 15 mins with quick examination and off you go with a leaflet and see you in 8 weeks. went back to my GP 2 days later as was so upset and felt
unreasurred. she was amazed had no tests done. she has put me on a course
of danazol to see if it helps. i showed her my breast again as the whole nipple seems to have moved down, she said if it starts turning in then come back.
well went back yesterday and saw a different GP as mine is on holiday. showed her my breast as nipple losing its irrection(cant think of another way of putting it) and is turning so is point to the right. is only slightly but has def. moved. she looked and said cant have this and rang the consultants secretary and im going back on thursday!!
cant believe im being seen so quickly. last time i went i just sat there and was struggling to talk. what should i be asking this time? i dont have 1 specific lump but a couple of areas (one in my armpit) of lumps apparentley.
sorry for the long winded story. got to go on my own this time. as OH staying here to look after little ones. need to be prepared and focused.
Sorry to hear your having such a bad run and not feeling like your being treated right.
I would just insist that they so further investigations such as mammogram or ultrasound - which is so simple for them to do over the whole breast and underarm. Have you not got a friend you can take with you? - just saying this cos I went to clinic first time myself and came out with bad news and had no-one there. Hopeing you wont get bad news but its good to have someone there!
I dont think there are any questions realy apart from insisting on tests - obviously nothing else they have done for you is working and the breast is changing so think its the only way forward for you.
I am keeping you in mind. It is the not knowing that is the worst thing ever.
You need to make sure that scans are done (mammogram or / and ultrasound) and then take it from there. Until you know what you are facing it is hard to make plans and I find that the worst thing of all.
Sorry I am waffling! What you need to ask is:
Will you do a mammogram / ultrasound today?
When can you do one?
Why won’t you do one?
What do you think is wrong?
Why do you think that?
How sure are you of the diagnosis?
What should I look for in the case of other changes?
Can I ring you or a breast care nurse when I am worried?
I’m sure you can add to the list once you start thinking of the way things could go. I’m always better at telling others what to ask than asking myself mind!!!
there is not anyone who can come with me really (how sad). we just moved to devon a few months ago
and i have made friends, but all have children so is a no go really. will have to be okay cant do much about it really.
with regards to ultrasound (im 30 so dont think they do mammograms on my age group). will they do the whole breast or
just an area of concern?.
am trying to be proactive and write a list so thanks for the pointers. am scared of going and being fobbed
off again. anyway baby waking up now so off i go.
thanks again for replies. thinking of you all. take care
If they ultrasound they should do the whole breast and armpit area - they did with me - its so quick and simple. If you have suspicion of bc then I dont think age comes into it whether they do mammogram or not - I got one at 36 because of a lump (that was only a fatty one - not so lucky this time round!)
Hi
just wanted to add please insist on a mammogram/ scan even just to put your mind at rest, but start insisting and please dont let them fob you off
love galen x
So sorry to hear about your news and that you have to go on your own, it is so hard when you have little ones, as I have 2 under 4 and no family around, and like you my friends all have the same age children.
Def. ask for mammogram, Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) and ultrasound. Thats what I had, and then had to have core biopsy as well. They don’t do mamos on under 40, but then if you have suspicions I would ask for one, although they do say that ultrasounds are more conclusive under 40. I am 39, but had both mamo and ultrasound.
Let us know how you get on and am thinking of you.
I do not think Mammograms depend on age if they feel there is something in your breast so would be pretty sure that will be your first port of call, but the ultrasound is also just as good if not better.
Either way it is better to know.
I agree that if at all possible it is better to take someone with you. I know that if I was your friend and thought you were going through this on your own I would be very upset so try to think again if you have someone you feel you could share this with and who would want to help. You could always mention in passing and see if they offer. I would move hell and high water to be there for my friends - however long I had known them! It is so useful ro have the second pair of ears.
Good luck. I will be thinking of you - and whatever happens - you can get through this… and we are all here to help, would just be better if you don’t need us!
I totally agree with the others in that you need to ask an ultrasound and/or a mammogram and a sample taken - fine needle aspiration/ core biopsy or punch biopsy. If these are not done you need to know and understand why not.
Get yourself a notebook and write down every question that you think of - and take it with you. If you don’t understand what they are telling you - ask.
Don’t worry about being on your own for the appointment, I have always been on my own and the staff were most helpful. My consultant even wrote things down for me, without being asked, so I had something to refer back to. You can also ask the nurses to go over everything again - and, if needs be go for a coffee and go back (but do tell them first). They are there for you. Don’t worry about taking ‘their’ time, they are paid to be there - and at some point most people will take a longer appointment than others. The team are used to this.
All the best for thursday - you’re stronger and more capable than you think!
I am 32 but I have had 2 mammograms already because my sister had a cancer when she was 30 so they can do one if they feel there is a need for it - what they said to me however is that they can be quite inconclusive because when in your early 30s the breast tissues are dense and compact and that can make it difficult to read the results with 100% confidence.
Ultrasound seems better and that’s what they use now in my yearly visits. I went there last week because the dense masse in my right breast has changed and I can now feel a lump - they said they are not worried but then my consultant showed the ultrasound to another consultant and they eventually did a biopsy via Fine needle and I’ll get the results on Wednesday - whether they were concerned or just did that because they saw how worried i am, I am not sure but if you are worried, they must do all they can to put your mind at rest.