To ask for experiences and hand holding please?

[TerribleMother]

My life this last week has been a bit of a disaster. I have another thread about a shitty family situation, there have been another few minor crap things happen, and today, having gone to my dr about what I thought was a cyst, have been told that on Monday morning (I'm overseas, it's night now, and my dr appt was at 17:00), my dr is phoning through an urgent referral for an immediate appt at the specialist breast clinic because I have a 'large irregular mass' and several enlarged lymph nodes on that side.

Has anyone else had this and it not been cancer. I need something to grasp because I feel like I'm unravelling. My youngest is just turned one. I have four children and no family other than my husband and kids here. I just want it to go away. I'm scared.

Sending non mn hugs x x x x

I don't have any helpful experience to share, I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you. It sounds like a really frightening situation and I am sending you a hug.

Hi, try not to worry and just deal with the facts when you get them.

If it is worst case scenario (cancer) people do survive.

Please try not to imagine all the horrible things it might be and think positively - there are hundreds of things it could be and your dr is obviously conscientious and making sure everything is checked out which is right.

Good luck xx

Thank you. I don't know what to think. I keep hoping someone will say oh yeah, I had that and it was only xyz (benign).

I have had breast lumps at least 3 times and have had the needle stick thing and scans and it has never been anything.

I've had lumps several times and also always came to nothing. Try and take one step at a time, TM. Easier said than done, I know.

Thank you weathergames. I'm nervous about the tests too.

And ArsePaste (love your nn btw).

It does sound very worrying & potentially malignant, but with a baby of a year old could easily be an inflammatory/infective mass with inflamed lymph nodes. Whatever it is, the sooner it's dealt with the better.

Best wishes for a good outcome.

The tests are fine it's just a needle in your boob (not as painful as it sounds).

You've had 4 babies you'll be fine!!

aww OP didn't want to read and run

sending un mn hugs and really hope its the best possible outcome xxx

TM, please try not to worry, it's good it's being checked out quickly. The tests aren't pleasant but not too bad. There is lots of support over on the Tamoxigang thread if you need it.

Are you breast feeding? I had a large (4cm) lump plus urgent referral. It was a patch if breast tissue not draining properly. It was overwhelmingly terrifying, but I believe the stats are 9 out of 10 lumps are not sinister. Good luck

I thought it might be because I'm still breastfeeding too. There's no pain or discomfort.

Despite having four drug free vbs with big babies I'm actually a complete coward.

I am desperately trying to stay positive though. Don't suppose there's any other option really.

Don't know if it's the exact same case as yours. But, my friend had something similar. Found something, went to the doctor, the doctors reaction was scary. As though it was really bad, she was rushed through tests, biopsies etc. Everyone's reaction made her think it was the worst. She was absolutely fine though apart from the scare and wait. It wasn't cancer.

Husband had a similar cancer scare (not breast obviously) - but we were expecting the worst and again he was fine.

Wishing you well OP and keeping fingers crossed for you.

Cross post firstpost, for the first time today I breathed out! Did you have lymph nodes too? Are they because of the infection?

Not sure I'd belong on the tamoxigang thread if no diagnosis?

Brooncoo, I'm glad your dh and friend are both ok, really hoping now that I fall into that category too!

Fingers crossed for you OP and hopefully it is just something bf related >hugs

TM - no need to have a diagnosis but some people come to find out more about tests etc and to have some support while waiting for results.

Thanks Effie. And thank you too weebarra, I'm having a look now.

Hope your feeling okay OP. it is a hard time between the referral and the hospital.

I don't remember the doctor even checking my lymph nodes but I did have pain in my breast. I had originally thought this meant the lump was less likely to be sinister but the doc said 'no not necessarily' and it became one more thing to google worry about. Turns out the pain was more related to training my puppy to walk on the lead

My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer with lymph node involvement back in 2010. She is currently cancer free and on a lovely 6 week holiday somewhere hot and sunny! Try to take it one say at a time. Easy to say, I know.

It is hard, firstpost. I'm swinging wildly between being utterly convinced that I'm being a complete drama lama and it's completely connected to breast feeding, then being hit by a nauseous wave that I'm going to have to tell my children and family that I have cancer, and might not see them grow up. It's like an emotional roller coaster i have no control over being on, no matter how hard I try. It's draining and I feel sorry for dh who is being ridiculously patient with me.

Thinking of you x

Darling, you must feel very scared right now. I have had enlarged lymph glands, even had biopsies - and I have been clear every time. (I already have lymphoma and they were checking for progression).

So have a hand. A hug if you need that too. Glad that your hubby is being supportive.

Let us know if you want to talk - or just keep expressing yourself here...

Hope all goes well for you.

Flowers, hugs and best wishes to you.
x