I’ve been mooching about on the site the last day or two and decided to bite the bullet and post this afternoon.
I noticed a bruise on my right breast the day before Christmas Eve. When I examined it I also found a small pea sized lump under the bruise (I don’t recall having banged or injured it). I left it a week or two over the Christmas period to see if the lump disappeared along with the bruise, then at the end of last week my DH noticed it (without prompting) – and being that he’s a bloke and so usually exceptionally unobservant (LOL) I decided that there was obviously something there that shouldn’t be and booked an appointment with my GP.
I’ve been this morning to see my GP and he did feel the lump on examining me (which bizarrely was a bit of a relief at the time because I thought he might tell me I was imagining things!!). He didn’t seem unduly concerned but has referred my to the breast clinic to get it checked out further. He advised me that I’d be sent an appointment from the clinic.
I’m really close with my family but they’re going through a tough time of things at the moment as my Dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer just before Christmas. I have told my Mum about the lump and the referral (as I said we’re really close and we always talk about stuff like this) but I don’t want to burden them too much with my stressing out when they’ve already got enough to worry about with my Dad being poorly. Obviously DH knows, but I don’t think blokes ever really know what to say in situations like this. I’m trying not to get too far ahead of things but it’s hard (as I’m sure you all know) to stop your brain jumping to that worst case scenario. I’ve got two young kids (6 and 3) and the prospect of it being anything serious terrifies me.
I guess I’m just throwing this out there – it’s nice to know that you’re not alone in the panic iykwim?
Hi Cookiegirl and welcome to the Breast Cancer Care forums.
While you are waiting for replies I have put for you below the link to one of BCC’s publications which you might like to read before your hospital appointment as it contains information about what you may expect:
Also, if you feel it would help to talk to someone in confidence then please do phone our helpline, calls to the helpline are free, 0808 800 6000 lines open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 2pm
Sorry you have had to join us but hopefully things will turn out fine if not there is a lot of support on here.
I was diagnosed in Nov 09 2 weeks after I found my lump. I have found from looking on this site every area handles all this slightly differently but the worse part is the waiting.
I know it is hard but try to remain busy & talk to family & friends.
I know what you are going thru with your Dad, my dad was diagnosed last week with bladder cancer & has to have his op this week & I am having mastectomy with reconstruction next week, crazy times!!!
It hit me more when I discovered my Dad has it aswell but in a funny way it does help having someone so close going through this with me.
I hope it all turns out fine for you but keep us posted.
Susan
Sorry to hear about your Dad Susan. It’s tough to think of our Daddy’s being poorly (even at 33 they’re still our Daddies! LOL). In our family we mostly deal with stuff like this by laughing about it so my Dad is currently joking that if he has to have chemo and loses his hair he’s buying himself an Elvis wig! Heaven help us, because he would too! We’re still waiting to hear if my Dad can have surgery (he has other underlying problems including COPD) but fingers crossed we should here this week. Good luck with your op next week, hope it goes well.
I’ve taken a look at the leaflet Lucy, it was really useful, thanks. From the website for my local clinic it looks like it’s one of those one stop shop deals which is good, hopefully I’ll get result on the day.
I’ve had the date for my appointment through - next Wednesday morning (10.15). I’m not sure whether to be relieved or nervous about the speedy appointment date! At least it’s not long to wait and the kids will keep me busy between now and then.