Hi, I am new here, just searching for support I suppose. I am awaiting review in the breast clinic, appt on tues but my gut is already telling me what the outcome will be. 
This is my story, I apologise for it being so long!
I had a baby 14 months ago, when he was 7 months old, I was referred to the breast clinic after I found 2 lumps in my left breast and I had a quite severe, intermittent pain in my right breast. They didn’t do a mammogram because I was breast feeding, they said my breast tissue would be too dense. They did however scan 1 lump, for approx 20 seconds, which the sonographer said looked normal, she said she couldn’t scan the 2nd lump as she couldn’t feel it. The pain I was feeling in the right breast was completely dismissed as “likely due to the breastfeeding” and they didn’t even inspect the right breast. I was sent on my way after about 10 mins.
Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago. I was getting undressed and noticed in mirror that I had a rather large dent in my right breast, right where I have the pain. On closer inspection, I also have dimpling underneath and orange peel skin on the top. I went back to my GP explained about my previous experience in the clinic and showed her my breast. She had a feel and said she could feel a lump by my nipple and also one above the dent. She looked, well the only way I can describe it is horrified. She told me I needed an urgent referral back to clinic and that she was seriously concerned. I am very anxious/upset for a number of reasons 1) I’m scared I have cancer and that my baby and his big brother will be brought up without me around. 2) I’m worried about going back to the same breast clinic in case they dismiss me again without giving me a proper assessment, 3) I’m terrified if it is cancer it may have spread as I suspect it was there when I went to clinic last time but they didn’t take me seriously.
I don’t know what anyone can say really but it helps just to tell someone. Thanks.
Hi Jen, just wanted to write and offer some support. It’s very hard waiting for appointments to come through, the mind can go into overdrive imagining worse case scenarios. I know it’s difficult, but try not to get too anxious yet and don’t start googling things. Make sure that when you go back to the breast clinic you question anything that you aren’t happy with, though I’m sure that as they would have seen that you’ve visited them previously they will take that into account. The usual procedure is a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy so hopefully by the end of your appointment you will have an idea of he results. Make sure you use this forum as much as you need to, it’s fantastic and there is a superb support network. Have you got a partner or close family members/friends that you can talk about this with? Sissy xx
Hi Jen,
I’m so sorry that you are going through all this stress especially with a young baby!
I was also dismissed a bit at the breast clinic a few months ago and now have an emergency referral. I was told that mammograms are damaging long term so they avoid doing them on women under a certain age but I was given one when I was 17!!
The trouble with this is it leaves you feeling like you are now totally unsure how long you’ve had it and so much more concerned. I know exactly how you feel with your babies and it’s totally normal to be scared. I think you should shout as loud as you want to and don’t take any crap at the clinic!! Lots of love X
Thank you for your support sissy and Bethany. The dreaded day has arrived, I should have a better idea today if not a definite answer. Feel sick with anxiety. Been working all weekend and glad as it has kept me distracted.
Good luck for today Jen Pen. I would imagine you’ll have a mammogram and ultrasound today and if they feel necessary a biopsy if there are any areas of concern. You must feel relieved that they are taking you seriously this time and should give you a clearer picture although your results can often take over a week to come back. Fingers crossed your mammogram is clear. Sending positive vibes. Kay xx
Good luck today!
Thinking of you and sending lots of positive thoughts your way Xx
I’ve had my appt, not sure how I feel. I have to wait 3 months and see if I develop a bigger lump. They did a mammogram, which was clear, one area was shadowed which they said was dense probably due to fact I only gave up breastfeeding 3 months ago. They (I say they because the registrar asked the consultant in for a second opinion) agreed the dent and dimpling was significant and the consultant said it was “unusual”, the lump above the dent is small and they didn’t think an ultrasound or biopsy would tell them anything “yet” so they didn’t do either. The consultant said that dimpling that significant was going to be due to something pulling the tissue inwards but that she couldn’t see anything on the mammogram so she thought best course of action to take was to wait 3 months and see what happens. She says if the dimpling is due to me giving up breastfeeding that it should get less as time goes on or if it is anything more significant it should get bigger and give them something to biopsy. She’s given me appt for 3 months time but has given me strict instructions that if lump gets bigger or a new one develops that I’m to call her secretary straight away and come back and see her immediately. I’ve been left feeling confused, don’t know how I feel, it’s not good news but it’s not bad news either. What do you guys think? Should I ask for 2nd opinion or just wait?
Id say it’s good news that they haven’t found anything and that they’re scanning again in 3 months. That will give your breast a chance to return back to its normal state (if ever there is one after breast feeding as mine changed completely and looked nothing like my pre-breastfeeding state) Its reassuring that they’re going to keep a check on you and if anything does appear then they’ll be straight on it which is fantastic as the earlier the better. More experienced ladies may be able to offer more advice on wether to ask for a second opinion as Im still at the testing stage myself but I think you can take comfort in the knowledge that they’re keeping an eye on you xx
Should have said anything big enough to biopsy xx