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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Terrified, pelase hold my hand

164 replies

ScatteredMama82 · 19/03/2019 11:51

So I’ve found a lump in my breast, and I’m having really odd sensations in it like a tingling/burning feeling. I’m 40. My Mum was diagnosed with NC at 48 and 4 years later she was dead. I’m a wreck, I have a GP appointment this afternoon to start the process of getting checked out but I am terrified. I’m shaking, I’m imagining telling my kids I’m dying. I’m so scared. DH is working away and has a long drive home, I haven’t told him yet as I don’t want him to worry.

OP posts:
Intohellbutstayingstrong · 19/03/2019 18:42

Oh poor you OP. I was where you are a couple of years ago. Found a very obvious lump. All the signs pointed towards something ominous. My own mum had BC. It turned out to be nothing. In fact it is still there. Thinking of you xxxx

jackstini · 19/03/2019 18:50

Glad you have a quick referral.
This was me a couple of years ago and turned out to be a papilloma that was easily removed and all fine now.
They were very quick with mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy and op.
Hand holding as I remember even though it was a small wait, it felt like forever x

tiredandcold · 19/03/2019 18:55

Hand hold... 🤞🤞🤞 it will be fine xxx

BeenHereForAges · 19/03/2019 19:04

Take a hand hold and a hug from me too. A family friend is going through similar at the moment. Just awaiting results. Please dont ever feel you are alone. There are a lot of us here thinking of you and sending all the support we can. I hope you can have a good talk with your DH once hes home.

Sakura7 · 19/03/2019 19:04

Just remember that in the vast majority of cases it's nothing sinister. I know it's a worry but the odds are in your favour.

ElizabethMountbatten · 19/03/2019 19:12

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the request of the OP.

Original poster
ScatteredMama82 · 19/03/2019 21:27

@newminouminou I did breastfeed yes, hopefully it turns out to be something like that x

OP posts:
Original poster
ScatteredMama82 · 19/03/2019 21:28

@RockyFlintstone you sound anything but flippant, thank you very much for sharing your story. I'm sorry you went through that but I'm so glad you are out the other side now. xx

OP posts:
Original poster
ScatteredMama82 · 19/03/2019 21:35

@muststopfaffing thank you so much for taking the time to describe the pathway. I really appreciate it, and it helped me know what to expect at my appointment with the GP today x

@RightOcciputAnterior thank you for sharing your experience too, puts the panic into perspective a bit!

The GP didn't say anything positive or negative about it. She could also feel the 'lump' and she described it a fibrous mass, distinct from the rest of the breast tissue. I have no idea of the implications of that, the breast clinic will be the place to find that out. I should receive an appointment in 2 weeks. I feel a bit calmer tonight, much of that is thanks to you guys. Worrying will change nothing. My DH has an exam tomorrow, so I haven't told him (he won't be home until after I'm in bed anyway). I'll tell him when his exam is over. I think I will have moments of panic until I am seen.

OP posts:
PumpkinPie2016 · 19/03/2019 21:41

Sending another hand hold and lots of luck to you OP Flowers

As has already been said, many breast links are benign so it could turn out to be that (I hope so for you).
Even if it isn't, these days, treatment options are so much better than they were and more and more women are surviving breast cancer.

I hope you can get yourself lots of nice treats and have some support in real life.

Good luck Flowers

doodlejump1980 · 19/03/2019 21:42

To take your mind off it, here’s my story. I had a big lump not on my boob but directly under it. Major panic mode. Went to gp, urgent referral. Went for an ultrasound, turned out to be my spleen that had shifted/migrated in pregnancy! Hope you get good news. Flowers

Skinandbones · 19/03/2019 21:43

My daughter had a lump and the gp referred her. The hospital was really quick giving her an appointment and everything was done the same day. Xrays and doctor were all in the same place and she got the all clear in the same day. Hope it the same with you. Sending you a hug.

CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson · 19/03/2019 21:49

@muststopfaffing has explained what happens perfectly. I'm a breast surgeon and I can add the further reassurance that the majority of ladies who come through the 2 week wait pathway turn out to have benign problems - probably about 1 in 20 that we see.

Be kind to yourself, it will feel like a long 2 weeks, but you've done the right thing to get checked out. If will probably turn out to be nothing but even if it is there are extremely effective breast cancer treatments now. All the best x

PookieDo · 19/03/2019 21:50

I went to the BC a few months ago, I could feel a very very hard area, painful swollen and tender only one side which had got worse and worse. I went on the 2 week wait but it was only a week

Mine was fatty/fibrous deposits that have hardened, my hormones (I’m 38 now) seem to have started to caused boob havoc. I cannot even wear an underwired bra anymore it is too painful (but I don’t mind)

Try not to worry
BC were so nice to me and talked me through every step of the tests

Wishing you all the best x

bumbleymummy · 19/03/2019 21:57

I remember that feeling of sheer panic when I found a lump in my breast. It’s awful. Mine turned out to be absolutely fine and the likelihood is that yours will too.

Ansumpasty · 19/03/2019 22:02

If it makes you feel any better, my mum, aunty, both grandmothers and some friends/colleagues have found lumps and had to go to the clinic. None of them had anything worrying. It seems like something all women go through, sooner or later. Chances are, it will be just fine. How many of us have lumps that come and go without us even noticing!
X

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 19/03/2019 22:02

Good luck-have just found the same myself when the youngest feral being accidentally head butted my boob and it was agony-had a good feel and there is a massive lump. Will go to see GP tomorrow to get on the pathway. My one positive thought is that my lump is mobile and not adhered so am hoping it’s a cyst...
Thinking of you, it’s a bit shit really isn’t it?

Original poster
ScatteredMama82 · 19/03/2019 22:04

@MrsElijahMikaelson1 it really is shit! Another thing we women have to deal with. I'm sorry you're facing this worry. A whole other kind of 2ww! Best of luck, I hope you get seen tomorrow and they refer you quickly xx

OP posts:
Petalflowers · 19/03/2019 22:07

Hand-hold from me also. The waiting is the worst bit. Once you know what you are dealing with, it’s a lot easier.

Remember, treatment for bc has really come on. According to Cancer research, breast cancer survival rates has almost doubt from 40% 40 years ago, to 78% today. So eight in ten women will now survive bc beyond ten years.

Hope you are okay, though, and I know it’s not an easy time (had bc nearly seven years ago).

needmorespace · 19/03/2019 22:11

Listen, I had a lump a few years back, it was very tender and painful. Mine turned out to be a cyst but I totally get the worry. Like you I envisaged having to leave my two toddlers - the waiting was unbearable.
But something I remember was my GP telling me the BC doesn't 'hurt'. And she was also non-committal at the time. So the tenderness/pain you feel will very hopefully very likely turn out to be something other than BC.

2018SoFarSoGreat · 19/03/2019 22:43

sending you a hand to hold - be gentle on my thumb please, it has been giving me merry hell for a couple of weeks just because it can - and a strong, broad back to lean on.

I won't say don't worry, because you will. BUT do read all of these comments and take heart that there are many options for what happens next, whatever the situation is, and that you are now moving towards finding out. Do tell someone now, and then tell DH tomorrow when he comes home. You need, and deserve, RL support.

Redland12 · 19/03/2019 22:43

Another hand hold here, best of luck and I’ll be thinking of you. I too found a lump, a cyst but I understand the worry. 🌹🌹

puppy23 · 19/03/2019 22:53

Hoping it turns out to be nothing sinister, fingers crossed for you OP

TheFormidableMrsC · 19/03/2019 22:54

Hi OP, I am so sorry you're going through this and I hope to offer some reassurance. I have been through this several times, all have thus far been benign. The one lump I did have that felt a bit painful turned out to be cyclical and disappeared completely after my period (GP still sent me to be checked out though). On the back of all of this I am currently taking part in a national trial to see if having a mammo a year earlier than 50 can have an impact on diagnostic/treatment rates. Guess what? Called back after the first mammo on the trial. I turned up at hospital to find a reasonably sizeable group of women all in the same boat. Two carried the BRAC gene. ALL of us came away from that clinic that day with a clean bill of health. The consultant I saw said to me that even if it is BC, these days, it's usually very easily treatable. Breast cancer is not necessarily a death sentence at all, far from it...also 9 out of 10 lumps found are benign. My two "permanent" lumps are fibroadenomas...and I know where they are now so they no longer cause me a fright if I feel them. Sending lots of love your way and do post when you're feeling off. Good luck! Flowers

Wowserme · 19/03/2019 23:09

I’d like try and reassure you all that 1 in 10 breast lumps are innocent, however should your lump be diagnosed as breast cancer please bare in mind it is not necessarily a death sentence nowadays.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly 10 years ago, it had also spread to my lymph nodes, I had an op, chemo and rads and I’m still here to tell the tale.
If your going to be diagnosed with cancer, breast cancer would definitely be the one to have.
I would also highly recommend the breastcancercare.org.uk, where you will find lots of other women in the waiting room as you are, it’s very comforting being able to hold others hands especially when you are all in the same boat.
Wishing you the very best of luck with your results and sending you a very big comforting hug. X