Hi im Max, ive had pain in my left breast when i press on it and a little in my right for about a month, also i have noticed a thickening of the breast tissue below my left nipple, it feels like there is more tissue and there are a few small gristle like lumps too. I finally went to my GP thinking he would say hey its fine, nothing to worry about, but OMG he referred me to breast clinic within 2 weeks (is the 2 week referral normal?) I think i have swollen lymph nodes too as i always check for them and can never feel them, now i can feel them under my arm and around the breast. Also i have a pretty strange feeling in my breast, like without even touchin them there is a feeling, not pain, just something.
So so worried, not got letter for referral yet.
Id like to hear if anyone else has this thickening or similar symptoms.
Welcome to the forums, this is a very worrying time for you but you have come to the right place for support from our experienced users who I’m sure will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime maybe you would like to speak to a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 to 2.00.
Hi Max,
sorry you have found yourself here, but this is a great place to get info and support from people who have been here before you.
I had a thickening and was aware of ‘something’ going on from about last August, i left it and left it till Feb as I was busy starting a new job, daughter just had a baby, and I felt really well …so surely it couldn’t be anythong sinister!!!
In Feb I went to doc who put me on a 2 week referral like you (by then the thickening had become an indentation which is what spurred me into getting it checked. I was found to have a 30mm invasive lump in right side (and by that time I was expecting such news because of the indentation) but they also found I had a lump in other side too which I was totally unawaare of.
Anyway I have had lumectomies, node clearance and am 2 treatments away from finishing chemo. I have 34 radiotherapies to come but I still feel well most days and have managed to continue working some of the time too.
It is good that you have taken action and you will be seen quickly. Remember that many concerns turn out to be something and nothing and not all signs/feelings mean that something bad is happening. Hopefully you will get quick investigations and good results with nothing to worry about. The days you are having at the moment are the worst…when you don’t know what is going on and you ahave to wait for letters and results…that’s where we come in here…we have all been helped through those days by others on here and now we who follow do the same.
I have seen people come here since I began in March who have been worried out of their heads and then they were told all was fine…and that is so uplifting to share the relief…also others have passed through who have joined our special gang and have become good cyber friends
Amyway enough rambling…hope I’ve not scared you…and wishes for good results for you…keep in touch
Suze xx
Max, you have done the best thing in going to the doctors and getting the referral. It is a shock to get the referral, but please remember that the vast majority of lumps are benign.
I know that wont help much, and the waiting is just terrible… too many scary thoughts and ‘what if’s’.
I hope that your results are good ones, will be thinking of you.
There should be more ladies online later and I am sure a few will post better advice.
Marguerite
As the others have said, you have done the right thing by seeing your GP. The 2 week referral is completely normal and standard practice, so dont worry about that.
As I’m sure you realise, all of us on here have played the waiting game and its the worst part of the experience. Nothing I say will make it any easier or quicker. However, 80% of lumps are benign and if the news is not good, treatments are excellent these days; just look at Kylie! We all understand so please come back if you need to rant or moan and please let us know the results.
Thank you so much everyone, somehow its easier to speak freely about this here, easier than with my parter and family as they seem more upset than I do, or just want to ignore it until its very good or very bad news.
I got the refferral letter yesterday when I got home, next Tuesday 9am. Not really that long to wait so ill probably spend from now til then in some sort of limbo, prodding my dodgy boob at any given opportunity!! he he Ahh, I have to use some humour or ill possibly lose my mind before Tuesday!!! In fact I think the other one is dodgy too, felt a bit of thickening above my nipple this morning.
Im trying to get into my head that there is absolutely nothing I can do right now and I got to sleep last night by thinking that way.
I have a friend who has breast cancer, shes just had a double mastectomy and is waiting to start chemo. She has been great as im going to the same clinic she goes to shes explained everything that will happen. She’s 24 with 2 young daughters and she got married last week and looked amazing!!! She is amazing!!
Thank you again everyone, i will keep this thread up to date and excse me if i just use it to vent!!!
Hi Max,
hope you’re ok today and managed to get some sleep…you don’t want wrinkles to add to your list !!! :-)))
Glad your sense of humour is in tact…I found myself joking about this in ways where I actually shocked myself about what I’d said sometimes…maybe our sense of humour is something that kicks in to get us through this!!
Prodding…I thought that I had prodded so much that it was that that caused the indentation!!! derrrrr!! (and I’m not that stoopid…I think I went into a state of denial…I think I’m still there actually).
Support…glad you have your family to support you…mind you sometimes you spend your time supporting them as you can end up being the one who is the strongest!!! And you have your amazing friend too she sounds like one fab lady…it always amazes me how young ladies with small children cope with this but somehow they do and yes they are amazing.
Anyway hope your day is bearable, keep distracted and let the sun shine on you
Hugs for now
Suze x
Today im flitting between fearing the worst and feeling like ill be wasting peoples time if theres nothing actually wrong and feeling guilty for that, but im sure they would be happier about sending me away celebrating rather than the other side of the coin. Then also thankful that I have a fab GP (Dr Smith) who has taken this seriously and im getting checked out.
It just a whirlwind isnt it? Up and down and round and round.
My partner hasnt said much about it, just put his arms around me tightly and said he will always be here and he loves me. Weve not been together long, 6 months. We moved in together this weekend with our 3 children (he has custody of his 6 yr old son and I have 2 sons 9 and 2). So life is finally coming together for us both and the this hits us with a big mallet.
Suze, if i didnt have a sense of humour about these things I would most certainly crack!! Much to the upset of outsiders who think humour and (possible) cancer do not go hand in hand. lol
Not feeling good today. emotional and properly scared for the 1st time. Did anyone feel any relief when they got their results? Even though it was bad news?? If i believed in any god right now id be on my knees. xxx
I was diagnosed with breast cancer about 18 months ago. I remember that whole waiting process and for me waiting at any stage is always the worst thing.
The two week wait is totally normal. If they decide to biopsy you will have another wait for results I’m afraid (I waited nearly 2 weeks for those but it does vary). There is nothing you can do except try to get on with things as best you can in the interim.
It’s an emotional roller coaster and we all totally understand how you are feeling. You have a right to be scared and best to let it all out rather than keep it in. This forum is so good for letting off steam and it really helps. There is a sense of relief when you get the results we all agree the waiting game is the worst part. Whatever the results when you know your treatment plan, if you need one, you feel so much better. It’s the limbo part that’s the worst. I do hope your fears are groundless but keep posting and we all fully understand. Keep that wonderful sense of humour of yours going!! I also find it helps to plan something nice to keep your mind occupied - why not an outing with your lovely family.
I would very much like to crawl into a dark hole and not come out til next Tuesday at 9am please, thank you very much!!
I would do just that, but I have 3 sons to entertain and a fit boyfriend and you know what they say, time flies when your having fun (just dont squeeze the boob too hard honey!!) ;-)!!!
Anne, We are doing just what you suggested and have planned a weekend at Darren’s (the fit boyfriend) brother’s beach house in Rhosneigr, Anglesey next weekend, cant wait, we love it there. x
Really though, thank you for all your support everyone, it’s so nice to have it and I really appreciate it x x x I dont know if I can offer support to you all but im thinking positive thoughts for each and every one of you xxx
My poor kids are getting the brunt of things this morning, im not sure if they are being unusually naughty orim just hyper sensitive! MAybe a mix of the 2.
My poor fela is in bed ill, tonsilitis i think, hes super rough!! So that uisnt helping really but he cant help it, man flu is pretty awful hey!!!
Im finding my self wishing away the weekend until my appointment but the sun is out and we will try to enjoy it.
Hoping for some wind so Darren, my boyfriend can get out on his kite (if the man flu subsides that is) then we will go down the beach and watch.
Hi, well i had my appointment at breast clinic, had examination and fine needle aspiration which really hurt!! Then got sent for an ultrasound only to be told by a rude radiologist that there were no staff there and no appointments for 2 weeks!!!
So im just waiting for sample test results and an ultrasound appointment.
Grrr to waiting!!!
Doc said could be 50/50 and depends on ultrasound and test results as there was alot of thickening compared to other breast.
Hi Max - What a terrible time you are having! I think I would have gone back to the clinic to tell them that you couldn’t get your ultrasound done. As it is, they may not realise. Perhaps you should ring them and they may be able to get you an earlier appt, if the consultant thinks it necessary. I always like to make sure that the left hand knows what the right hand is doing, if you get my drift.
Did they actually give you an appt for the ultrasound?
I’ve had breast pain for about two weeks now and I have been referred to the breast clinic at the hospital and my appointment is this thursday. I’m very worried, I have large breasts and fearful of the outcome. Dont have anyone to talk to.
I am sorry to read that you have this worry, please feel free to call our helpliners for further support and to talk through your concerns, the lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 9-2 Sat on 0808 800 6000
I am posting a link to the BCC ‘Worried’ web page where you will find information which you may find helpful:
