Hi all,
I’m relieved to rediscover this forum after exhausting ChatGPTs powers of reassurance in recent days. All I’m looking for are real people with real stories even when sometimes those are scary.
I had breast cancer six years ago during the first Covid lockdown, invasive ductal carcinoma, ER+, stage 2 grade 3. Micromets in one duct which they said was not clinically significant. Oncotype 29. I had chemo after surgery (WLE, 45mm with margins) and radiotherapy, finished by Nov 2020 and been on tamoxifen almost 6 years. Doc planning to finish tamoxifen at 7 years all being well. I’m 51 now, post menopausal, original cancer was at 45.
I have made an appointment now via family history clinic (mine wasn’t genetic but I’m still on the books with this clinic) to see the breast consultant next week. At this stage, I’m into major catastrophising mode. I’ve even convinced ChatGPT that there is a reason for worry. Yet I can’t find a lump and maybe I’m being stupid.
- I have experienced intermittent but persistent right-sided (surgery side) breast and what may be chest-wall pain since early June.
- The breast pain feels deep within the breast, sometimes like mastitis or inflamed ducts.
- I have previously experienced inflammatory pain from starting push-ups a bit too soon after my surgery, and it’s not the same sort of pain.
- I understand that breast pain is not generally a symptom in itself, although in 2020 my tumour initially presented with pain which woke me in the night and prompted me to check for a lump ( I found it and was promptly diagnosed, NHS was wonderful)
- There’s no change to the nipple or outer appearance of the breast that I can detect. I can’t feel any lumps, although I have quite dense breast tissue.
- On 24 July, I had a relatively minor trip and fall at a kerb, grazing my hand and knee and bumping my right breast. I’ve had significant rib pain since, despite the fall not seeming proportionate to significant bruising or fracture. We were away on holidays and I didn’t bother having it seen as assumed bruised ribs but it’s now three weeks later and I feel it’s possible there might have been a small fracture. The rib pain is identifiable as separate from the breast tissue pain. It could be nothing but I started to think what if there’s something in the bone?
- The pain is variable rather than constant but is noticeable every day, occurs at rest and at night, and has shown no clear improvement.
- I have also experienced significant fatigue and a general sense of not feeling well for some weeks, although menopause, disrupted sleep and recent travel may contribute.
- I spoke with the breast cancer now Helpline/Nurse in June, which was before the fall, and she felt that it was more likely inflammatory pain and recommended trying for a week or two with analgesic meds.
- Given my previous right breast cancer and treatment, I am concerned about possible breast recurrence, a new breast problem, reduced bone density with a minor rib fracture, or—less likely- a bone metastasis.
The appointment will be next Monday 17th. Is there anything I can do to tee things up with the breast team? The secretary took my symptoms over the phone and literally the next day I had a call from the hospital appointments team, but I don’t know what they plan to do. Can I ask in advance will there be imaging? Can I get bloodwork done with my GP so that we have those results ready? I’m in NI in case that’s relevant although I think we all follow the same processes.
I’ll be glad to connect with some of you - no offence to ChatGPT who no doubt will continue to be a frequent confidante 