Hi All
This is my first post here. I’ve been having some one-sided breast pain and discomfort for the last few months but, as I’m menopausal (aged 50) and my periods are all over the place, I thought it was probably related to that (and hopefully, it is!) But after seeing an advert for the 5 signs of BC, I thought I’d better get it checked out so went to my GP on Monday.
My mother and maternal grandmother both had post menopausal BC and I’ve had 2 previous visits to the breast clinic - once after a mamogram and US at age 40 picked up cysts in both breasts (harmless and no treatment needed) and once 3 years ago when I had a fluid filled cyst which was drained and again, no further treatment needed.
As I was sitting in the GP’s waiting room, I was hoping that the doctor would understand that it was ‘just a feeling’, I can’t feel a lump or anything but it just feels wrong. Luckily, I saw a lovely lady GP and, after hearing my history, she examined me. She found what she described as thickening of the tissue and it was very painful when she felt that area (underneath and going up the arm side of my left breast). She said that if I’d only had the pain for a week or so, she’d tell me to come back in a few weeks but, as I’ve had it for a few months, she’d refer me to the breast clinic and I should be seen within 2 weeks.
The first time I had to go, I wasn’t too worried as I’d had a mamogram and ultra sound and was told there and then that the cysts were probably harmless and, sure enough, after just a physical exam, the specialist confirmed that. The 2nd time, logic told me it was nothing to worry about as the lump was big and came up quite suddenly. The only thing which freaked me out a bit was the speed of it all - I had a phone call from the hospital the day after seeing the GP and was seen at the clinic within a week.
This time I was half expecting a referral and thought I’d be OK with it but it turns out, I’m a nervous wreck! I think it’s probably because the GP actually found an abnormality which I didn’t know was there. I haven’t slept properly since Monday, feel constantly sick, tired, irritable and close to tears most of the time.
Last time I had to go, I phoned my Dad when I came out and he cried when I told him everything was OK. My Dad’s the strongest man I’ve ever known and he’d shown no sign of being over-worried before I went so I haven’t told him this time. I phone him every night as he’s on his own now and it’s very hard to keep cheerful on the phone and not let it show that I’m worried. My sister knows and will be coming to the clinic with me and a few colleagues at work know and, despite how I’m feeling, I’m really trying to put a brave face on it. What I really want to do is shout and scream at the people who are saying ‘try not to worry about it’!!
Anyway, sorry for the long post. I think I just wanted to get out how I’m really feeling. Thanks for reading and good luck to all of you who are going through it 
Hi JER and welcome to the BCC forums, I am sorry to read that you have this worry and I am sure your fellow users will be along soon with support for you
I am posting a link to the ‘Worried’ section of the site where you will find some information and support services such as our helpline, which you may find useful at the moment:
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/worried
Best wishes
Lucy
Hello JER. So sorry you find yourself here. Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping you’re back with good news after your visit to the clinic. Margaret
Thinking of you. Pauline xx
Hope everything goes well for you today, fingers and toes crossed and lots of hugs to you xx
Hi JER,
Hope everything is goes ok today, thinking of you sending hugsX
Hope all goes well today JER
Best wishes
Liz x
Hi Ladies
My appointment wasn’t today, I’m still waiting for it to come through but thank you all very much for your replies and best wishes.
I feel a bit better today, I think it helped to get off my chest how I was feeling and I slept better last night. I’m going between thinking it’s nothing, just a bit of pain to well, it’s a very odd type of pain!! I guess there’s no point in thinking about it like that as it’s completely out of my hands for now. I needed to get my emotions under control as I get psoriasis which is triggered by stress. My skin is pretty good at the moment and I don’t want to put myself at risk of a flare so deep breaths and cross stitch tonight to take my mind off it
Thanks again ladies, I’ll update when I get my appointment through.
Jackie
X