found a breast lump. had triple assessment. now waiting.....

[forpitysake]

I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right part here, but I found a lump two wks ago and I've been seen at the unit today. I've been poked and prodded, ultrasounded, mammogrammed and had 3 core biopsy samples taken.

Now I'm just waiting. The appointment isn't for 13 days.
Has any-one else been through this and is happy to share coping strategies?
I'm part hopeful, but mostly just shitting myself with worry.
It's not the cyst / blocked duct I had convinced myself it was.
It's "a fibrous mass". It looked quite large on the ultrasound screen like it was taking up about 1/3 of the breast shape on the screen. It doesn't feel that big by touching it, but it is obviously bigger than it seemed.

I've been looking at the breast cancer care website as they seem to have a lot of information on benign and cancerous lumps and bumps and I can say for certain the ones I don't have as I have none of the symptoms / signs they mention, which kind of wittles it down a bit.

Everything is pointing to either a firm diagnosis from today's results and I will find out one way or the other then, or they will need to remove the lump and test it and make me wait more.

I have a fantastic husband and a gorgeous 5 yr old I want to see grow up.
I'm not trying to diagnose myself, I just want to understand better what I'm up against, but I'm so scared. I've got to go to work tomorrow and pretend I'm OK.

[Elibean]

There's nothing worse than waiting and not knowing, is there? I'm sorry you're going through this, I've been through the u/s/mammo/core biopsy thing and it was so stressful. Mine turned out fine, and I hope yours will too.

Either way, I would recommend visiting the ladies on the Tamoxifen thread - they've all been there, with a variety of outcomes, and have supported at least a dozen other MNers in just your shoes through the waiting game recently. Mostly (odds being on 'benign''s side) to a quick happy outcome.

Good luck, will be thinking of you.

[Ilovedaintynuts]

I'm so sorry, waiting for results is painful. One minute you are convinced you are fine the next minute have terminal breast cancer

If you DO have breast cancer the chances are you will be fine. Most women get better.

I am a specialist in this area so if ever need some info just holler X

[topsyturner]

Hi forpitysake
Come on over to us on the Tamoxifen thread (just started Tamoxifen 14) . We can handhold and sanswer any questions you may have .
That's the worst thing about Bastard Lumps is the waiting around . I was lucky (strange wat to think , I know) that I got my diagnosis same day as my mammogram and biopsies , but I know it varies so much from heath trust to health trust .

The important thing to remember is , even if it is cancerous , its not a death sentence .
I too have small (although older than yours) children , and that makes me even more determined to stick around .

[MadAsASnakeNana]

I was in the same situation as you in 2004 and I think the waiting was almost worse than finding out I had BC.
What the other posters say is true, BC is not the death sentence it was, I'm sure you'll be around to see your DCs grow up. Guarantee you will feel "better" when you know exactly what is going on.
Be brave, thinking of you.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

forpitysake (it makes me sound as though I'm being stern with you !) agree with everyone here - I found the waiting bit the hardest part- when something is unknown it is so easy to frighten yourself to death. Please do join us on tamoxifen number 14 - we are happy to handhold and are very friendly

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we are

[forpitysake]

hi! thanks for replying...thank you daintynuts, although you may end up regretting it LOL.
on my way over to the thread now

[pranma]

Hi forpitysake
I was where you are 5 years ago.Sadly I did have breast cancer but hey-here I am-I had op,chemo,rads and all the attendant terror.The waiting is awful but whatever the result there are many treatments,more all the time.You can do this -honestly.

[forpitysake]

thanks pranma - i was so scared of the tests etc and now im scared of the diagnosis and the possible treatment(s). just scared full stop. i keep wanting to burst into tears and i look at DD and wonder whats going to happen.

i know rationally that breast cancer (if thats what it is!) doesnt have to be the death sentence it used to be. IF ive got cancer, it's more likely to be early and treatable, just like yours, and I will be fine, but i cant help feeling ive done something wrong like not eating enough fruit and veg/smoking when i was younger/too much alcohol over the years/ive been or i am a bad person.

i guess its normal but now its in my head i cant get it out iyswim

thanks for replying x