I have been reading this board for a couple of days.
A couple of weeks ago I noticed a pea sized lump in my left breast (was probably petit pois size if I am truthful!)
As I feel quite lumpy and bumpy anyway and two years ago was investigated via examination and US at the breast clinic for a slight thickening in my right breast (which was found to be normal fatty tissue) I wasn’t too concerned.
At the end of last week my husband commented on it as he said it didn’t feel like my ‘normal lumpy’ bits (I also thought it felt different but was just wait and seeing) so I went to see my GP. She found the lump without me pointing it out and said it was possibly ‘cystic’ but would refer me straight away and my appointment is next Tuesday(8/6).
I am not normally a worrier, I know that the chances of it being some form of benign problem is high but I am suddenly frightened. I was not worried like this two years ago and I know that statistically I am reasonably low risk - children born and breast fed at young age, no maternal history, under 40 etc but I am feeling increasingly anxious.However, I do take HRT following a hysterectomy and oophorectomy in my twenties.
I suppose I am here looking for reassurance - or just to type this out as I haven’t talked to anyone yet. I am firm believer in not googling despite researching by profession but from what I have read on here everyone presents differently. I suppose what I want to know is - has anyone been diagnosed after finding a tiny lump? It was painless until I started poking it every day. I have no dents, discharge, inverted nipples. I am slightly tender under my left arm but have been for longer than I have felt the lump.
Thank you for reading (if you have read this far!)
L x
I am sorry to read that you have this worry at the moment, in addition to the support you will receive here, you are welcome to call our helpline for further support and a ‘listening ear’ on 0808 800 6000, the line is open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2.
Hi L
Fingers crossed for you that when you get the lump checked out all will be well!
Try not to keep touching the lump or under the arm, the more you poke about the more painful it gets!! easy said than done, we all keep touching it when we first find the lump, probably hoping it will go!!
Just take one stage at a time, very difficult to give reassurance because everyone is so different with their symptoms. But you are getting it checked out, and that is a good start.
It is good your GP has arranged an appointment, better than waiting a few weeks to see how the lump is! next Tuesday probably seems a long wait, but it will soon come.
Good Luck
Sandra x
This is a difficult time for you and we all understand your anxiety. Please feel free to ask any questions there is a wealth of experience on this site. You are right everyones experience is different, but you have done the right thing by getting it checked out. If you need to let off steam and vent some of your feelings please come back. Lots of ladies come back to tell us that they were checked and evrything was fine- we love to hear good news too. But we are all experts in waiting for appointments and results and know exactly how you feel. debx
After typing out my rather long post last night (sorry !) I actually felt a bit better today.
I am also on leave from work this week so I suppose it is not the greatest week to be ‘hanging around’ waiting for an appointment-
More time, more anxious thoughts!!
I am lucky that my GP decided to refer straight away, from what I have read it seems to be quite usual to watch and wait for a couple of weeks - I presume it is because I have no monthly cycle so fewer cyclic changes.
I am also making a conscious effort to stop prodding!
Once again thank you for your replies, I may keep popping back and of
course will let you know how I get on.
Lx
After reading your post yesterday, I chased my doctors for my appointment and found out, it had been sent to the wrong address. This forum really does help in the weirdest of ways…
Fingers crossed for Tuesday, mine is Tuesday too!
My husband says he cant wait to say ‘I told you so’ when everything comes back clear!
Hello
Just a couple or so days to go until my appointment and I am feeling a lot more positive than I was at the start of the week.
I still feel surprised with myself to how much this has shook me up (not sleeping, anxiety and just general panic!)- I always thought I took everything on my stride.
Just rambling really hope everyone is having a good weekend
Lx
HI Wasrub
I do understand how you are feeling and keeping busy is the best thing to do Waht time is your appointment on Tuesday??
Feeling slightly more positive because I have already (in my head) diagnosed myself, thought about treatment, what I do with my new job, how I tell the kids particularly my eldest who is the worrier etc etc. Almost drove myself mad this week.
Then yesterday I told my mum (was not telling her as no point and she would only want to come with me on Tuesday) but amazingly once I had told her the pain in my chest (imaginary one)has eased off a bit. She said I was never any good at keeping things a secret!
I am also starting to doubt that it is a proper lump- just some more tissue like last time. I am now wondering if I have overreacted but then the GP felt it too and I am not sure she would have referred me if she hadn’t thought it necessary??
Hope everything goes well for you both, Lorien I was the same as you I just needed to share how I was feeling with people who had been in the same position and I didn’t want to tell anyone else.This site is brilliant. Again I hope all goes well Karen xxx
My appt is at 10am… in a hospital Ive never been to before so going to go quite early cos I can do without the stress of bein lost lol…
I havent told my mum yet, didnt want to worry her, but I think Id feel better if I told her but that seems selfish worying her for no reason…after all its going to be nothing right?! Mad isnt it, the way your mind works.
Hey, feel free to ramble I think by the time Tuesday comes we will be both rambled out!!
xx
Hi
My appointment is at 9 and only 20 mins away which is lucky.
I agree about not telling your mum - it was just I couldn’t help it!! It was following a conversation about how my elder son (21) always has to tell me things to get it off his chest and how my older brother (41 yr old, married father of 3, Consultant Surgeon) still does it to her.
We agreed we wouldn’t have it any other way but she said I was always more independent and she sometimes gets offended when I don’t tell her things. It seemed a natural introduction.
Once I told her I did feel better but she does want to come with me and I prefer to do things on my own. My husband also offered to come with me where as following his redundancy (whole distribution centre closed) last week I woulld prefer it if he concentrated on other things rather than stressing with me!
hello
just wanted to wish you both well
I don’t come on here much, having finished treatment etc, but thought it worth telling you - even if it is the worst case scenario, most of us get through it and out the other side. Hope it doesn’t come to that for either of you, of course but will be thinking of you
take good care
monica xxx
Lorien, My husband offered to come too but he would drive me insane, pacing up and down and stressing! So Im going on my own too, like you, I can cope better on my own…
Hope all goes well for you ladies on Tuesday, try to keep busy, i know its easier said than done, keep us posted.
The breast clinic nurses are really helpful, also if you need to have any other tests, things are really quick,(you wont have to wait weeks), Hopefully both you ladies will get the all clear, your lumps could be many things, most of which are nothing to worry about, will keep my fingers crossed on Tuesday for you both.
The ladies here are a great source of support, i have only been coming here for about 10 weeks, but when i have a concern that seems to be huge, i come here, and always leave feeling a great sense of relief.
I have been reading you post for the last few days my appointment is Thurs, I hope all is well today for the both of you and are thinking of you both. x
Hello
Good news from the hospital, my mammogram and US are clear!
The lump can be felt (by examination) but isn’t anything on the mamogram and US so I just have to keep an eye on it for any changes.
Thank you for all so much your kind words and support during the last few days. With warmest wishes to you all
L
xxx
