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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To visit GP with Breast Lump

79 replies

MinnyMouse · 19/05/2014 05:28

As I am sure it's just nothing. However deep down I must be concerned as I've not slept properly.

Back story

Father recently died suddenly. Grieving and stressed and super busy at work.

At the end of last week I treated myself to an aromatherapy message and lady commented my 'right arm/pit' was different to left. She recommended getting checked out.

For several months now I have been waking with back pain if laid on back and chest wall pain if laid on side and generally achy painy around shoulders - just thought age creeping up on me to be honest.

This weekend had a feel about chest & back area where it's been hurting and found a lump near the chest wall. DH had a feel (several times over the weekend) and confirmed definitely a lump. Strange thing is difficult to feel if standing, more prominent when laid down on back.

It's upper right breast, near chest wall. Feels flattish, firm and about 15mm in diameter.

I realise I am doing the right thing in going to GP this morning before work.

I'm really hoping it's not anything sinister :(

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Openupyoureyes · 19/05/2014 22:44

Op I;m so pleased you went to your GP. Exactly a year ago I found a 'thickening' in my right breast close to the chest wall. I put off doing anything for a few weeks until one day I found a lump as well. I saw my GP mid June and within 2 weeks had a mammogram and ultrasound, which confirmed I had a small cancer in the breast which was 2mm, and some cancer cells in 2 lymph nodes.

I had an op 2 weeks later to remove the lump and lymph nodes. They were able to remove all the cancer with the lump so didn't have to have a mastectomy.

The main thing is that I found my lump very early on, and it sounds that you have as well.

I had to go through chemo as the cancer cells were in the lymph, and also radiotherapy, and I can't pretend it was a pleasant experience, but here I am a year on, fully recovered, my hair regrown (and after having long dark hair for all my life I have to say I love my funky, short, white hair), and have just got back from a great week in Spain.

I wish you well whatever the outcome of your appointment, and just want you to know that a cancer diagnosis, although a shock, doesn't have to be the end of the world.

Openupyoureyes · 19/05/2014 22:44

that should say the lump was 2cm, not 2mm

EverythingsDozy · 19/05/2014 22:48

You should be very proud of yourself for going to the GP.
Some people me would put it off and hope it will go away.

Original poster

MinnyMouse · 20/05/2014 05:20

Good Morning All You Lovely Inspirational People

Thank you for sharing your story Open and I'm glad you have come through your own experience ok. It must have been a very difficult time for you and your family. The treatment sounds difficult. Are you through it all now or is treatment ongoing?

Thank you Every, And & Chip for your encouragement.

After having had a more settled night I feel much more calm this morning and not as anxious about it all. I'm feeling confident it's all going to be fine whatever the outcome next week but hopefully I will be given the all clear.

In a funny kind of way I'm feeling more enriched by the people close to me and appreciating just how lucky I am to have the love and support of my DH. I really appreciate the online support as well. There's comfort to be had from impartial strangers and you have been so generous in taking the time to read my posts and respond - Thank You x

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foofooyeah · 20/05/2014 05:41

Minny, most lumps turn out to be harmless.

In the highly unlikely event that there is 'something' treatment has advanced massively for breast cancer.

Do not google.

If something is a little amiss there is the Tamixigang group in General Health for all types of cancer. I have had fantastic support there

Andrewofgg · 20/05/2014 08:42

OP Diagnosed with (a different!) cancer in 1993 and still very much here. My love and support to you.

FrancesNiadova · 20/05/2014 09:46

Hi open your eyes, we should start a survivors club! So pleased for you & your family.
We celebrated with a lo-ong holiday in France. I agree totally with what you say, cancer is not the end of the world. For me, it has opened my eyes to what is important. Sending & hugs

isabellavine · 20/05/2014 09:54

Just to reiterate what others have said: something like 9 out of 10 breast lumps are benign. But when I found one, this didn't stop me panicking!! It feels quite odd as you wait, so be kind to yourself and take time.

You will be on a 2 week referral so you should hear very quicky.

For me the assessment was dead easy: not painful and the doctors and nurses were lovely.

Original poster

MinnyMouse · 20/05/2014 13:00

Hi FooFoo Thank you for the reassurance; you appear to have had a personal experience with C , are you all clear now or still in treatment? Side note, I love your name FooFoo, perhaps because that's my Lady Garden name .

Hi Andrew, that's reassuring and it's good you had such a positive outcome.

UPDATE
Hospital rang me this morning and offered me an appointment for tomorrow morning. The sooner I get the reassurance that C has not taken residence the sooner I can put it all to bed

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Original poster

MinnyMouse · 20/05/2014 13:02

Hi Isa are you ok now? I agree it better to nip these things in the bud sooner rather than later as the outcome will nearly always be more positive. Take care x.

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ShoeWhore · 20/05/2014 13:07

Good luck for tomorrow minny - I had a v similar experience a couple of months ago and the breast clinic were fantastic. I had an examination, mammogram and ultrasound all at the same appointment and at the ultrasound they were able to confirm it was a cyst and drain it for me (hardly hurt at all although felt a little sore afterwards)

Hope all goes well for you tomorrow.

Gingerandcocoa · 20/05/2014 13:08

I know it's difficult not to get anxious, but I have had (and still have) LOTS of lumps, had a few removed, had a few biopsied (sp?) and they all turned out to be benign.

It's more likely than not benign, so try to stay positive!

FrancesNiadova · 20/05/2014 13:10

Best wishes for tomorrow Minny.

Can you take someone with you? It is good to have a think about what questions you might wish to ask then if you have someone with you, they can jot down anything important.

Best wishes & big hugs

bumbleymummy · 20/05/2014 13:10

That's great that you're being seen so quickly. Hope all goes well tomorrow morning. Another person here with a lump experience - turned out to be nothing. Thinking of you :)

Openupyoureyes · 21/05/2014 01:16

My treatment is finished now. I had 6 lots of chemo (1 every 3 weeks). The last was on 3rd Jan. Then 15 days radiotherapy in Feb. I have to take Tamoxifen for 5 years.

It was hard for my family especially as we had just been through a nightmare year when my brother was diagnosed with leukaemia. Fortunately he has also now finished treatment and has made a fantastic recovery. We must have some good genes in us!

Frances so pleased for you as well. More and more people are coming through this now and it's great that we can all support each other and share our stories and hopefully take some of the fear out of it for others who are just going through it.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow Minny.

MrsSeanBean1 · 21/05/2014 01:59

I have just been through this. Went to GP with a lump, was referred to Breast Clinic and had an appointment within 2 weeks. The service there was excellent. I was initially seen by a consultant who examined the lump. I then went straight to radiology for a mammogram and an ultrasound. Mammogram was painless. I was worried it would hurt as I have enormous boobs but they hardly squished them at all. Ultrasound was slightly uncomfy as they press quite hard and my lump was tender. Then straight back to consultant who was able to confirm there and then it was nothing sinister. It was excellent being able to get the results there and then. The consultant told me that for every 1000 lumps they see at the clinic, only 100 are sinister. That's not bad odds. Sending you hugs and strength at this worrying time x

bumbleymummy · 21/05/2014 08:23

Thinking of you today.

trice · 21/05/2014 08:35

Minnie, I hope it all goes well.

FrancesNiadova · 21/05/2014 08:35

Sending all good wishes -x-

Original poster

MinnyMouse · 21/05/2014 09:47

Good Morning Ladies & thank you for your lovely messages.

I'm sat here preparing to set off. My feelings are on a massive pendulum that is swinging between 'all will be fine, it's nothing serious you silly sausage' to 'this could be the biggest roller coaster ride of my life'.

As I mentioned earlier my father passed away suddenly recently and I had started to be more composed when thinking of him but everything has come back as sharp as ever as if he only died today. So in a way I am on that roller coaster already but hopefully the lovely nurses today will allow me to get off.

I haven't shared anything with mum as she has enough on her plate. DH is working away. Work are aware as I have had to replan work to accommodate today's appointment. Not shared with anyone else as hoping its nothing. So I'm on my own today. That's just how it is and I will cope and am trying hard to stop the occasional trembly/shaky feeling.

That's why I'm so appreciative of this virtual support and I find it heart warming. Thank you again.

Take care x

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Original poster

MinnyMouse · 21/05/2014 09:48

So sorry I forgot to include lovely gents too! Sorry x

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Rivercam · 21/05/2014 09:57

Minnymouse - thinking of you also. I found a lump two years ago which turned out to be cancerous. I had a lumpectomy, radiotherapy ( no chemo needed) and two years later am fine and heathy. Generally speaking, breast cancer care is good in the Uk, and you don't have to wait long. Hopefully, it's nothing sinister, but at least you have got the ball rolling.

FrancesNiadova · 21/05/2014 16:18

How are you Minny, I've been thinking of you today & hope all's gone well.

Original poster

MinnyMouse · 21/05/2014 16:19

Good News! Physical exam, mammogram and ultra sound scan completed. Outcome is lipoma on RB and dense glandular tissue on LB.

The staff were wonderful and reassuring, efficient and thorough. What more could you ask for. They have given me an open appointment and if any significant change I just present myself back there.

It's such a relief and all my stress has dissipated. The birds were singing & the sun was shining when I came out of the hospital. I was in rapturous delight!

Thank you all again.

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Original poster

MinnyMouse · 21/05/2014 16:21

I'm feeling great Frances, just great thank you. Such a relief I can tell you. I'm going to have a nap now as shattered. x

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