Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Malignant breast lump

36 replies

Fluffybubble · 29/04/2012 21:19

I was told on Friday that I probably have a malignant breast lump. I have had a mammogram, ultrasound and core biopsy. I have to go back this Friday for the biopsy results but I am terrified.

I am lurching between trying to convince myself that all will be fine and thinking that I may be about to die. I am a single parent and I am so scared that I won't be here for my ds.

The consultant has said that my lump is approximately the size of a walnut, is that considered big?? I didn't even know that I had a lump, I went to the GP as one of my nipples had begun to dip in when I raised my arm or leaned over. I though that she would say that it was just down to age (37) and general saggy-ness! This has all come as a massive shock and I cannot shake the constant sick-feeling. How do people manage this without going completely bonkers?!

I am determined to be positive but don't know if I am being naive, as I had convinced myself that the lump would be nothing and I was wrong about that Sad.

I am not really sure what I am asking but it helps to offload! Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.

OP posts:
graciesmall09 · 29/04/2012 21:41

Hi, Sorry that you have been given this diagnosis. It is absolutely normal to feel shocked and terrified. I was diagnosed in March and have had a quadrectomy and sentinel node biopsy and have just started chemo. All I can say is you will find the strength to get through this.

Please join us on the Tamoxifen thread, I only joined last month but everyone is really supportive and most are much more knowledgeable than me. Off load all you want it really does help.

Good luck with your results.

DrSeuss · 29/04/2012 21:41

No words of wisdom but thinking of you and sending hugs xxxxx

Original poster
Fluffybubble · 29/04/2012 21:48

Thanks both of you Smile.

Gracie, I am sorry about your diagnosis too. I am just getting my head around some of the procedures (a friend recommended the Macmillan site) and I am trying to stay away from Google! I have been lurking a little on the Tamoxifen thread but may head over there again, thanks :)

Dr Seuss, thank you, hugs are good!

OP posts:
Gigondas · 29/04/2012 21:50

Fluffy - I am another tamoxifen thread person (different kind of cancer). I am no expert but it's the type and spread of tumour that affects treatment as much as size (although obviously size and locAtion have a bearing on how they get it out).

This is absolutely the worst time as you are in shock and have no clear road map on diagnosis /treatment .it does get so much more manageable once you have a plan in place.

Whilst I can't promise that it will be all right but I do know that cancer is treatable so it is very curable and there are lots more people out there who have lived through it. I know it doesn't feel like it (I have imagined my funeral, felt like I was under death sentence too post diagnosis) but it is something that can be dealt with.

Please do come and Join us- the moral support we have is a big part of helping me cope.

Gigondas · 29/04/2012 21:50

Stay away from google -Macmillan is ok as is livestrong . Dr google inaccurate and terrifying - your drs and teams will have info.

Gigondas · 29/04/2012 21:52

Sickness does go- its shock. Try to eat what you can - I ended up living on lucozade and milk for a few weeks

graciesmall09 · 29/04/2012 21:55

Honestly, step away from Google, I drove myself mad googling and it was never good news.

skirt · 29/04/2012 21:55

Hey I'm sorry. You must be terrified but please don't google - there are lots more places to get support from folks who have walked in similar shoes. Much love to you x x

Gigondas · 29/04/2012 21:56

Yep google bore no resemblance to what I was told by drs and I know others have said same

graciesmall09 · 29/04/2012 21:57

Oh and size doesn't always mean bad. My tumour was only 1.6 cm but was Grade 3. You can have a large tumour but slow growing likewise you can have a small tumour which is very fast growing so a higher grade.

Original poster
Fluffybubble · 29/04/2012 22:01

Thanks Gigondas :). Yes, you're right. I was glad at first to have a few days to get my head around it before hearing any more info (think I blocked the doctor out after he said that he is not happy with whatever it is) but now I am panicking because I have no idea about what comes next. I have the phone number for the Breast Care nurses but no-one can really tell me more until Friday.

Google is terrifying!! I have also be mentally logging funeral songs Hmm...!

I am sorry to hear about your situation too, I hope that you are on the road to recovery.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I will pop on to the Tamoxifen thread tomorrow :)

OP posts:
Gigondas · 29/04/2012 22:04

Google is bad -chocolate and wine is good.

Have they done a biopsy of lump yet or any other tests?

I had a big old lump on my arse Grin - they did scans and biopsy to work out what it is before whipping it out .

The bc ladies will have more info but I think there is a bit more on the options about how much they take out (whether it's nodes etc). But surgery does tend to be first step .

Original poster
Fluffybubble · 29/04/2012 22:07

Thanks everyone.

Google should only link to fluffy, smiley things really, shouldn't it! My GP specifically said to stay away from it so the first thing I did when I got home was to log on!

I feel really stupid about not knowing it was there when it is walnut-sized. I imagined that a lump would be a nice pea-shape! I am sorry to hear that your's is a grade 3 Gracie (I have read about grades!). I hope that your treatment is going as well as possible for you too.

Take care all and thank you again, I feel slightly less neurotic now!

OP posts:
Gigondas · 29/04/2012 22:09

And yes - I am over surgery and having radiotherapy . Am just waiting the first follow up scan . Learning to cope with new normal (the follow ups , the fear factor associated with c word etc) is a big part of life.

But it is doable - cancer is serious but it is not the only serious condition out there (diabetes , heart conditions etc). There are a lot of survivors out there- most of whom are getting on with life beyond cancer who you wouldn't know about. A lot of our knowledge are the more extreme / unusual stories that tend to get reported. And it will be something you suddenly notice more (a bit like noticing pregnancy and babies if you are having fertility issues or had a
Miscarriage).

fannybaws · 29/04/2012 22:09

Hi fluffy sorry you are feeling so scared :( just popped in to say that my mum had breast cancer 19 years ago now, she had lumpectomy and radiotherapy and is doing fine.
Wishing you all the best x

Gigondas · 29/04/2012 22:10

Grade 3 isn't good news but common with a lot of younger women. Just to warn you in case you think it's a life sentence if they say that (which is a very common reaction).

Original poster
Fluffybubble · 29/04/2012 22:10

Gigondas - they have taken a core sample for the biopsy, as ultrasound showed it was a solid lump. The consultant seemed pretty sure that it would need to come out, even thought we don't have the results yet. It sounds like any op would take place within a couple of weeks, so it's all very quick.

Any removal of my bum would be an improvement!!

OP posts:
thegreylady · 29/04/2012 22:12

I am another bc person.As well as the Tamoxifen thread you should look at Breast Cancer Care or bcpals on these three you will find fellow travellers as well as lots of useful info.If you have to face up to bc then be aware that the treatments are getting better all the time.Chemo [if needed] is doable as are all the treatments.I was diagnosed five and a half years ago with a really agressive type of bc but here I am alive and well as are many many others.
If you do have to walk that road you feel find lots of help and support both here and irl.
Do use the number for the nurses if you need to talk or indeed the breast cancer care telephone helpline.
After all that I hope you will find you have a benign breast tumour as many do.

Original poster
Fluffybubble · 29/04/2012 22:14

Sorry, I am really slow at replying :)

Thank you fanny, I am glad about your mum. It does sound like there are many positive stories. As Gigondas says I have completely focused on the terrible stories (and even the 'take your children to Disneyland before it's too late' advert has taken on new meaning today!).

OP posts:
Original poster
Fluffybubble · 29/04/2012 22:17

Thanks thegreylady. I am sorry about your bc but that is such positive news :). I will have a look at Breast Cancer Care, thank you.

Yes, there is always the possibility that is not anything horrible after all...

OP posts:
dwpanxt · 29/04/2012 22:24

Another voice adding to the avoid Google warnings :o

But please do visit breast cancer care which is a dedicated site for anyone affected by breast cancer .

So sorry you have this to go through. It is a long and hard journey you are embarking upon -but it is doable .

I had a lump similar to yours 8 years ago and to be honest now struggle to recall exact details.
I had a diary which I kept throughout my treatment and when I read it now I marvel at how intense it all was .I had the full works -including 2 different trials which made it a bit harder. But it ended and slowly everything went back to normal. I even started a new job exactly 1 year after starting treatment.

Chin up - and dont feel you have to be brave for other people. Do whatever YOU need to get yourself through.Everyone else can fit in with your wishes and needs.

Gigondas · 29/04/2012 22:25

I really hope for your Sake that is the case but If not, you know where we are.

MaryAnnSingleton · 30/04/2012 07:56

hello fluffy - am also from the tamoxifen thread - you're more than welcome to wander over. The bit between tests and results is hugely scary and I googled constantly. Not a good idea - I found the Breast Cancer Care site very helpful and sensible though. As others have said,big doesn't necessarily mean bad - it could be slow growing and big,which is better than small and aggressive- but in any case treatment is very fast- surgery is usually within a couple of weeks (and what you have would depend on size/extent of tumour in relation to your breast size. On tamoxifen I think we've covered all the combinations ! We are all veryu much alive and kicking, greylady is 5 years clear and I'm coming up to 3 years (I had a 2.4 cm grade 2 tumour but no lymph node involvement)
We'll be thinking of you x

smee · 30/04/2012 10:38

Hi Fluffy - I did the funeral planning too, but am 2 years post diagnosis and fine now. Even with a Breast Cancer diagnosis, you still have good odds these days. It's taken me a long time to accept that, but it's true. Come and say hi on Tamoxifen - honestly helps hugely to talk to women who've been through similar. xx

SparkleRainbow · 30/04/2012 11:10

Hi Fluffy - I am sorry you are going through this it is horrid. I had lump removed last year, and I too did the funeral planning...... so I do understand. The Tamoxifen thread is a wonder place for support and to be able to ask any questions, there is a wealth of experience their, and they are all still here!

Swipe left for the next trending thread