Worrying Response

Hey all -

So I am 40, and had my screening mammogram earlier this year, in April. Everything came back clear, no issues.

About five weeks ago, I noticed a pain/discomfort in my left breast - could not pinpoint where the pain was stemming from, just in the left mid/lower quad of that breast. After I went through full cycle, and they went back into flat-pancake mode (as they do), I was able to locate a small, hard lump - about the size of a small marble. To get a clear feel on it instead of a vague lumpy area, I leaned all the way forward to feel along the chest wall - and there it was. It barely moved - like in the way your kneecap kinda moves, but is certainly not going anywhere else.

And it obviously scared the crap out of me. Soooooo I ignored it for these past few weeks, but the discomfort has not let up. It’s almost like a constant pulling achy feeling unless I put pressure in the area. I could NOT find a doctor to see me within the next three months, so I saw an Urgent Care doctor. When we added in my extra symptoms of a suddenly larger breast and a feeling that there’s something tucked up in that left armpit, She immediately set me up with a STAT diagnostic mammo and ultrasound, which I go for on Wednesday (it’s Saturday now).

Honestly I’m looking for any reassurance, because the details have me more worried than normal. I’ve dealt with dense breasts, I have a fibroadenoma on my other (right) breast, so I’m not unfamiliar with breast health…… but again - the details are scary. I’ve had no appetite and killer headaches stressing out about this - I’m hoping I’m just blowing it out of proportion…. But I also work in healthcare and I know too much.

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So glad to hear you went to urgent care doctor. The waiting is the worst. Try to keep yourself distracted until wednesday. Do nice things for yourself.

My own experience of having benign and malignant biopsies is that my expectations were lined up at the time the biopsy was taken. So the first one was coupled with multiple reassurances not lose any sleep (i still did) and it turned out to be an 8mm fibroadenoma. The second time my husband was away with work and i was very worried about skin changes but went to the appt alone thinking i would only know post biopsy results. However, they let me know they were very concerned too, so i asked them outright. So i would advise that you dont go alone to screening alone.

Like yourself, i worked as healthcare professional for 17 years. Whilst knowing too much means you process a lot very early and intensively, there are advantages. You will have friends who understand, but will also stop you catastrophising based on professional experience. You will be a great self advocate in your care. You will be able to ask better questions.

If you can for now, talk to someone who will listen rationally rather than have huge emotional response to your concerns. Do things that take you out of your head. Best of luck on wednesday. Xx

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