oh no.....breast lump.................................

[oprahfan]

I posted in AIBU a week back, I'd gone to my GP for a repeat in anti-depressants, and asked for the possibility for a breast exam as well, as I was concerned about a lump I'd found. Took a lot of courage to ask.....but the GP couldn't be arsed, said she was running late, had other people to see, etc, and I left in tears. Her attitude was appalling.
To cut a long story short, the practice manager has been in touch, and the GP concerned called me yesterday, to say she was sorry about the level of care she had 'presented' but that she was aware of how late she was running (!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I got an appointment for another GP on Tuesday, she examined me, and lo and behold, there's a lump, and she found it with no problems. She didn't say it was a cyst or anything, but she says it needs to be checked out now. She checked under my arm, etc, but didn't mention anything about that, although I did feel a small lump there last week, about the size of an eraser on the end of a pencil. I get breast pain, seems unlinked to my cycle. She's got me booked for a mammogram, which should happen in the next 2 weeks or so. I'm 39 with 2 boys under 10. My DP ain't saying very much at all..............I feel very weird, a bit worried......and i should be in bed instead. Lots of you out there have been through finding lumps....can any of you tell me how you felt? x

Am I right in remembering you've had this lump for quite some time now?

yes, I wondered about a year ago, a tiny lump, but noticed more symptoms over the past couple of months.........

I don't know if it being there for so long is a good sign? Probably?

Try not to worry (I know!), most breast lumps are absolutely nothing - but they are just so worrying.

I'm sorry I don't have much constructive in terms of symptoms but just wanted to say am thinking of you. Hope you do get some sleep...staying grounded and as calm as is reasonably possible (under these horrible circumstances) is the best (and probably only)thing you can do for your state of mind and body until you have more info. MN is here for you. Fingers crossed for you. Keep us posted.

am very sorry that you are dealing with this- and appalled at the GP !! if you feel like hand holding then there is a bunch of us who have gone through this/are going through this and have come out the other side...you are more than welcome -everyone is very nice !
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1108810--the-7th-Tamoxifen-Thread

Just to say as above, most lumps are benign, but need to be checked thoroughly depending on where they are,

that said I've had 2 good friends go through breast Cancer in the last few years, & in BOTH cases the lump blew up from 0-50 in weeks, so if yours hasn't changed much in a year, if thats anything to go by yours is more likely benign......thats aid, even if it turns out not to be, the treatment these days is pretty amazing & has come on leaps & bounds in recent years, BOTH my friends had a very aggressive form of Cancer & needed masectomies, & having seen the amazing reconstruction work the Drs have done you'd never know, if anything they are in better shape than they were, bar some minimal scarring of course, neither lost their hair due to some new ice cap treatment......& both are still in remission too, 1 now for 8 years & looking good for the future :)

Ta very much girls, thanks for posting.

No appointment yet, post has been. I am suprised that i only feel weird, I'm not upset,and getting on with the boys, the housework, work, etc I think my policy is only to start getting worried when i know there is something to really worry about. I do think about it a lot,however, and I'm avoiding looking or touching my boob since being at GP.

Boobs, they're a pest, mine need reeling in to be kept under control at the best of times. Mind you, this is the kick up the backside i need to start looking after myself better. I'm 4 stone overweight, which isn't good, I know. I'm not taking up skydiving just yet, maybe I'll leave the pickled onion monster munch alone now!

Oprah - your approach of not worrying until you know what you're dealing with is a very good attitude and will help you. Like MAS I've been through cancer treatment and the Tamoxifen thread was a hige support so if you do need support, come over.

I had treatment over most of 2010 and I'm fine now.

So get it checked out, don't panic and be a s normal as possible. But also be aware that your anxiety might spill out unexpectedly at times - it needs to at some point.

Good luck. Talk to friends.