Hi, I wanted to share my lump experience for anyone Googling their symptoms. Like a lot of people reading this, I’m sure you’re frantically searching for examples of others’ symptoms to help you through your wait. Myself, I’ve scrolled through many threads reading people’s initial concerns that were similar to mine but then found no post with an outcome. So, I want to share all of my experience to hopefully help others and encourage others to give an update if they feel able to, to help those searching for similar experiences during the awful waiting time.
I’m very lucky. My lump was confirmed as a fibroadenoma. I really want to stress how I know I am fortunate and not everyone else will be, I just want to share my story to help those with an example at their waiting stage. I’ve got so much admiration for the kindness and support I’ve seen on these forums, particularly from those who have not been so fortunate. There’s some incredible and supportive people out there who want to help others, even though they too are going through such a difficult time.
I’m 44, I kind of thought a fibroadenoma was unlikely due to my age. My lump is smooth, varies in size, even during the day and at different times during my cycle. At times it feels approximately the size of a grape, other times a small pea. No pain. Now I’ve had my results, I do feel that the lump is very moveable, but does always go back to the same place. I can feel it standing up but can’t find it laying down easily.
I saw my GP 13 hours after noticing the lump the previous night, and within an hour of contacting them. My GP was lovely. She explained that she felt my lump wasn’t sinister but always makes an urgent referral in these cases. She did tell me she would have been honest at that stage if she was concerned. If you’re not told this, it’s worth asking the question.
13 days later was my triple assessment appointment. That felt much longer. When I arrived at the hospital I was told the consultant wanted me to have a mammogram first and then she’d do a physical exam. Just my luck that the mammogram machine wasn’t working that day. So I ended up just having a physical exam. I asked the consultant what they thought about the lump (I just needed some sort of feedback to keep me from wondering). I was told that they believe it was likely not malignant.
I waited another two days for my mammogram and ultrasound and attended a different hospital so I could get an earlier appointment. Mammogram was first, awkward being my first but not painful. I asked what they thought afterwards, they said they couldn’t tell me, it would need to be checked properly on higher resolution screens.
Then came the ultrasound. I had to wear a gown, still wearing my jeans though. I had to ask if it was split at the back or front, it’s at the back! My lump was visible immediately on the US, big looking oval dark shape, just like the images I’d seen before and after online for fibroadenomas, but also some malignant lumps. They checked my lymph nodes also. I’d hoped this would be the point they’d say all looks fine, you’re free to go. But they said they needed a biopsy, I was immediately more afraid. I became more concerned that they took a biopsy of my lymph nodes too. I asked if it was more of a concern but was told it was to be extra thorough. They also explained that they’d use marker clips, something I think is standard/good practice but also worried me more. At the end of the US I again made sure I asked their opinion, they said they didn’t think it looked like a cancer but only the biopsy results would confirm. I think that is a key message, so many experts saw me and none could rule anything out without a biopsy, so you just can’t self diagnose, you have to get it checked.
48 hours later, I was panicking. I got a text message confirming an appointment at the breast clinic the following week. I thought this wasn’t good. I rang the hospital to understand more, I couldn’t just wait a week wondering why I had an appointment. I was told my biopsy results were in by a secretary, all she could tell me was my results were indeterminate but the consultant wasn’t overly concerned. My mind was spinning, still wondering what the problem was that meant I needed to take up more of the consultant’s precious time. I rang back and asked for more info. I got a call back from an amazing coordinator, she was lovely. Told me my biopsy was benign but I’d been graded 3 at physical exam, US and mammogram, which meant there was still a question mark over me. I was told I’d be discussed at MDT meeting the next week and they’d contact me with any further info. Which they did as promised and I was told they’d all agreed all was OK for me to be discharged and my scheduled appointment would be cancelled.
This had been a long three weeks for me, as anyone reading this can relate to. Everyone copes in different ways, Google and asking as many questions as I could think of helped me, but that might not help the next person. I think the only part of this experience that should be the same for absolutely everyone is, if you find a lump get it checked without delay.
Passing on my best wishes to all you incredible people on this forum xx