I only found this website tonight and have such admiration for everone involved.
I found a small lump under my right nipple approx 3 months ago but because i have had a previous cyst in my left breast i taught i would just keep a eye on it. Last week i noticed the skin where the lump could be felt had a dimpled effect so i went to my GP. It turned out that the small lump i felt was just a small part of a much larger lump that is directly behind my nipple. The GP referred me to the breast clinic and my appointment is next tuesday. Since then i can no longer function as a person, i am blaming myself for leaving it so long, cant eat or sleep and am so worried that if i am in this state now, how am i going to cope
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated
Hi buddyandme and welcome to the BCC forums
Our helpliners are here 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 Saturdays to offer you a listening ear/support on 0808 800 6000 so please feel free to call
i am posting a link to the BCC ‘Worried’ information page where you will find further information and a publication about referral to a breast clinic to help you to understand what to expect:
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/worried
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi buddyandme.
I see the date on this post was last friday. I am sorry no one has been along to comment. If your app was Tuesday just gone then I really hope it went ok and you let us know how you got on. Please ask any questions you have. It is a worrying time, but I really hope it turns out to be another cyst.
Take care.
dx
hi buddy and me im so sorry u feel that way i am waiting for an appointment at the breat clinic too and even though i keep telling myself it is probably nothing o am worryed u see i hav no lump i went to the dr bcause my nipple was inverting sometimes and under my arm was a bit swolen but she fpund a lump on my breast which i still cant feel but said it was a breast mouse and the swelling was skin thickening so i hav an appointment next monday i hav myself found a small lump under my arm but im worried theregonna think im wasting there time its not a nice feeling this waiting i just wish i new but try to keep busy and if u need to talk theres loads of lovely people on here who no wat u r going through xxx
Thank you for your comments,i could not remember how to log on so have only read them tonight. I went to the clinic and the mamogram unfortunately found suspicious areas in both breasts so they did 5 biopsys that day. I was called back last wednesday and cant rememer the full details but have been told that both breasts have invasive cancer and that i will need a bilateral mastectomy and radical treatment what ever that means. I am having my lymph nodes checked on monday and have been refered to another hospital for immediate reconstructive surgery after the mastectomies. How my life has changed in the last month.
tt74 dont worry about wasting anybodies time i really hope this is the case and that it all went ok on monday xx
If anyone has any tips, advise, i would appreciate greatl
buddy xx
Hi buddyandme - sorry to hear your news. It is so much to take on when you are first diagnosed, I think those first few weeks can be the worst. Please try not to beat yourself up about not going to the GP sooner, cancer doesn’t generally grow that quickly and 3 months is not a terrible delay. They often say that by the time a lump can be felt the cancer has been there for 1-5 years, so it is highly unlikely that 3 months will have made much difference. The important thing is it has now been found and you can get the appropriate treatment. You will find lots of support on here, and I can highly recommend the helpline - they helped me in the early stages of my diagnosis. Any questions and I am sure someone will be able to give you some advice. For now, take things one day at a time, or even one hour at a time if necessary. It will be a massive rollercoaster to start with, there are often extra appointments early on and changes of plan to treatment as the doctor’s get a clearer picture regarding lymph nodes etc.
I myself am in the middle of chemotherapy. It hasn’t been too awful and I have been able to get out and about most days so far. Wishing you all the best for your surgery and reconstruction.
Nicola x
THanks NIcola for your support and kind words. AM just so anxious to get things moving and want the surgery yesterday. would
be greatfull for any tips on how to tell people,the few people so far that know did not handle it to well , i havnt even told my family yet as they live in Ireland and just dont know how to tell them. I get so upset when i talk out loud about cancer, but worst of all is the complete shock and fear in peoples faces. I end up consoling them and telling them it will be ok .NIcola am glad you treatment is going ok
B
uddy xx
I think everyone is different in terms of who they want to tell, and how much. I couldn’t bear talking to everyone so sent texts to my closest friends. I told my parents and sister over the phone. Then after a few days I posted the news on Facebook as this seemed the quickest and easiest way for me to get it out there - but then most of my friends are on Facebook which may not be the case for everyone. I still post updates about my treatment and this avoids having to talk to everyone individually, but also means people can offer support and encouragement. I wanted everyone to know but found telling people face to face very emotionally draining, and I alluded to this when I sent texts and Facebook messages - people do understand. I’ve found some great support from people I didn’t consider close friends before, and been a bit disappointed by the response from some other people I thought would be more helpful. It also brought up some difficult issues with my parents which has caused a rift between them and my partner - not what you need on top of cancer, but such is life! I’ve had some counseling sessions which have provided a good way to talk completely openly about my feelings without worrying about the reaction this might create. Some hospitals have counselling services.
Nicola x
I found it easiest to tell my family (including my mother!) in an upbeat email. This made it obvious to all that I did not want to (could not!) talk about it! As my brother in law was dying of melanomic cancer at the time and my sister had made it obvious she only wanted to communicate by email it was easier for me to make sure that I only talked about what I wanted to talk about without anyone taking offense.
Only you know how much and what you want to tell people. One thing once they know the facts and you point them in the direction of the MacMillan site or this one so they can find out for themselves - at least I found that easier having told them everything factually in an email - then maybe you will feel more up to talking - but try not to reassure them because you need your strength for yourself and they should realise that!
Best of luck
Virtual hugs
Liz x