Now I kick myself as I picked up the iPad so many times last week and read all the threads and so nearly posted my story.
Found a lump 4 weeks ago whilst on holiday with my husband (first time away without anyone else in like 19 years!). I’m 40. It was the beginning of our holiday and so I put it to the back of my mind, but I felt it every night and yes, it was still there. It was like a ‘date stone’ size I guess, just above my left nipple.
My left breast is a little larger than my right anyway so, I hadn’t noticed an increase in size.
No pain in breast but I have been tired since last summer and have had bloods done and found to be anaemic.
Returned from holiday with a lovely tan…and still a lump in the breast.
Phoned doctors and when I explained I had found a lump they got me in within a day.
Doctor, after examining me, referred me straight away to the hospital and said I wouldn’t need to wait more than 2 weeks. I had a phone call that afternoon booking the appointment for the following week.
I went on my own to the hospital as the tests take a while and I didn’t want to worry anyone. The nurses at the breast care department were wonderful and we laughed about how many times I had to strip off in one day!
I first saw the doctor who examined me and felt the lump. I then waited again before having a mamagram and then an ultrasound. I had breast implants 2 years ago (after breast feeding 3 children, I felt I deserved them!) and so the mammogram was a little harder to do but it wasn’t unpleasant.
Whilst having the ultrasound, the radiologist said that she could see the lump and that it would be best to do a biopsy there and then. She explained that there could be a risk with my implants, but that it would be best to go ahead. I agreed and after a little local anaesthesia, the biopsy was performed.
I then went back and waited to be seen by the doctor again.
The doctor explained that the results from the biopsy take about a week and I was made an appointment for the following week.
The week up to the results were strange. Little things kept happening that prepared me in a way for the results.
I have now started to have a little pain in the area, not bad pain but every now and then a little dull ache.
My husband was insistent that he was to come with me for the results. And I’m glad he did.
My appointment was late in the day and most of the staff had gone home. A neighbour was in the waiting room too and we smiled at each other not wanting to ask, I guess.
When we entered the doctors room, he very quickly explained that they had found breast cancer, and even though I DID know, I still burst into tears!.
The rest is a bit of a blur, it’s 1-2cm but yet ungraded.
The doctor was great and very patient with me blubbering!! My husband asked questions but tbh I wasn’t listening.
I’m due to have surgery to remove the lump and check the lymph a week next Tuesday.
I know I will have radiotherapy but I’m not sure about anything else yet.
I don’t know a lot about radiotherapy and so I will be reading all the blogs to find out more!
After leaving the hospital, my husband and I went to a pub to talk about telling the children (oh and I had a very large glass of wine!)
We decided to get the youngest (7 and 14) to bed before telling the 21 year old. She burst into tears and then my son (14) on hearing the commotion, came down the stairs and so we told him too. I hope we have done the right thing. I will be honest with them and ask them how they are feeling and hopefully we can be strong together.
I have woke early this morning. I’m thinking about telling my sister over the weekend and then my bestest friends. One of the things I asked the doctor was, ‘can I go on holiday 10 days after the op.’. It’s my sisters hen week and all arranged!. It seems, hopefully, I can!.
Well, this weekend will be strange, all getting our heads around it.
But I’m a positive person and I will be ok 
Love to everyone affected by this and look forward to reading more blogs.
Speak soon.