I Found A Lump In My Breast

[cleanasawhistle]

Found it on Friday.
Managed to get an appointment with my GP yesterday morning,he was really nice and tried to put my mind at rest.
I have just had an appointment through the post for Wed 12th Nov.It says I will be diagnosed on the day.
The weekend was so long waiting to phone my doctor and now I have to wait over a week for the next step.
I think the not knowing is the hardest bit so far.

Thinking of others going through this.

Hi cleanasawhistle

Have just found this thread as I am going through similar to you. Can we hold each other's hand? I will try not to squeeze too tight!

The only difference so far is that they told me they believe it is most likely cancer after my initial mamograms and biopsy appointment on Monday. I still had a week to wait to find out for certain (which they wouldn't have said if it wasn't a forgone conclusion I'm sure) and to find out what my options are and when things will happen. My appointment is tomorrow.

As well as the lump I could feel on one side, they took a biopsy of the lymph under my armpit, and also spotted a very small lump in my other breast which they have stuck a staple in so they can find it again!? It's scary stuff that's for sure, and I don't have many people around me I can call on for support.

So far I have only told one sister (she's going to come with me on monday) and I've let them know at work as I imagine I'm going to have to take some time off and Dec/Jan are my busy times at work! Oh well it can't be helped.

My ds has his mock exams starting in a week and up till Christmas. Also my parents are booked to go away on holiday over xmas and I don't want them to cancel or for things to be any different to usual. So, apart from the obvious, I'm also worried they'll call me in to operate during ds's mocks and will have to tell him sooner than I would like. I am also wondering whether to tell his school...

I was worried that things would happen before Xmas and not give me a choice about when I tell people, and seeing your timeline has left me thinking mine is likely to be closer to xmas or just after. I was wondering how long things do take after the inital assessment. I guess I will find out tommorrow...

It's silly I know but we have panto tickets booked and we're meant to be going away for the weekend of ds's birthday in Jan so things are competely up in the air for me as to what I will be able to do or not. And I don't want him to be upset if things have to get canceled :(

It's not easy, and being in more or less the same place as you right now, I do know how you must be feeling. Mostly I'm avoiding thinking about it as much as possible to try and cope, but tomorrow onwards I know I will have to face things full on. I'm taking comfort from the many positive outcomes that others have posted here and I hope you are too. I'll be going over to look at the taxi thingy thread too now I've figured out where it is.

Sending hugs to you and all the other here who are going through, or have already gone through, the same. It is helping me to know I'm not the only one so thanks for making your original post. Keep strong.

So sorry Gillybean.
Are you back from your appointment yet ?
I think you have done the right thing posting here.I wasn't sure but so glad I did.The support is amazing from these lovely ladies and yes you realise you are not alone and not the first person to go through this.

I am trying to stay positive and upbeat but finding it hard now people are putting decs up and talking about Xmas.I just keep thinking before Xmas I will have a horrible operation.I wouldn't say that to anyone because its noones fault and they shouldn't be made to feel guilty about being excited...so thats where posting here comes in...you can write it down here.

I hope your news is good and thank goodness you have sister with you.
Please update and take care x

Taking the day off. A zillion things need doing and I got almost no sleep last night. Sat in bed reading the various leaflets which helped on some level. Spent most of the morning on the phone and inbetween doing some urgent tidying up. I'm coping by staying busy. Got my body and bone scan on monday. Apparently I'll be radioactive for around 24 hours. Now I need to ask the ladies at work if any of them are expecting just in case...!

Have you got a date now for your surgery? I think you said earlier they'd changed it but you were hoping to be done and home by xmas. I really don't want to be in over xmas - if I have reconstruction done at the same time I have to be in 5-7 days they reckon. They also said they aim to start treatment within 31 days. So basically that's sometime in december... I don't want my ds to spend xmas without me. Usually it is just the two of us. My sister said he could go there, but it's not the same :(

Saveme and any others likely to be doing a lot of 'resting' - You asked for boxed sets recommendations.

I've just had an extended stay on the sofa, following surgery to remove both ovaries, uterus, and a huge ovarian tumour, aka Spawn of Satan. (It was over 2 kilos and extended as far as a full-term pregnancy.) Mercifully, despite gloomy prognostications from Dr Doom at my local hospital, before I was transferred to a hospital with more experience, it was only a Borderline tumour and I've more chance of being struck by a meteorite than of any further trouble, according to my surgeon.

Anyway... I watched the whole of Breaking Bad - my grandson now has the T-shirt - Breaking Dad. True Detective. Then re-watched The Sopranos, The Wire and The West Wing. (One of the advantages of getting older is you forget the plot.) If you haven't seen them, I recommend The Killing, The Bridge and Borgen. That's just my taste, but I don't know how I'd have got through the scary bit, when I'd been told I had inoperable ovarian cancer - by a secretary! - without them. 2 hours of BB an evening was 2 hours guaranteed oblivion.

Good luck to you all. There's a brilliant mumsnetter on the Tamoxifen thread called Amber. She knows all the latest research and stats and is a fantastic resource.

I feel so inadequate. My little lump was called Larry!! He's not in the Spawn of Satan's league.

Thanks for the recommendations. I shall definitely try Breaking Bad and I used to enjoy the Sopranos.

The West Wing is long, fast moving, gossipy and fun. I enjoyed The Shield and The Wire but had to watch them with subtitles on (same with many episodes of Sopranos). Would also recommend Suits. Quite easy watching. Las Vegas for utter mindless feel-good hide behind your hamds cringy dross. Love Dexter but perhaps too much blood and slicy instruments for post surgery.

Stiiiiiilllll waiting for my first appointment. It is on Friday. Hoping it's a nothingness. Have stopped monitoring my boob as it is sore. Ideal outcome: "You have nothing wrong and you are an idiot for wasting our time. Push off stupid woman"
Least ideal: "You are going to have to wait another week for results"

Hi whistle & gilly, just checking in to see how you are.
There is light at the end of the tunnel & next Christmas, this one will seem so long ago.
Gilly, if you have a mx with immediate LD flap reconstruction, you will be in 5-7 days & need to have a couple of drains in.
Sending you both big hugs & lots of best wishes.

Best wishes for tomorrow Gurgle

Hi all, I've had my surgery now and thought I'd share what I've found to be useful in case it helps anyone else:

A v pillow is brilliant for nighttime support (Dunelm sell one with a furry cover but then you do have to prise it off the kids). This is one of our best buys ever (lovely DP bought it for me).

I'm wearing bras around the clock for support. I got my soft bras from Figleaves. The sleep bras are stretchy enough that they can be pulled up over hips (amazing as my hips are HUGE) and therefore are easy to get on and off. I also got a wire free maternity bra from Debenhams which provides extra pinning down for daytime moving around.

Cheap vests from New Look are also easy to get on over hips and can be layered for extra coverage.

The pack of deodorant wipes has saved my bacon as I can't have a bath or shower until next week.

Don't prebook too many visitors. I wanted to sleep for about 15 hours a day!

Having some easy things to do which make you feel useful, such as writing Xmas cards, stops you from feeling so guilty.

Take a goody pack into hospital. A bottle of water with a sports cap is easier to use than a cup, boiled sweets in case your throat hurts, emergency chocolate and biscuits, a phone charger with a long lead so you don't run out of juice, hand cream...an electric toothbrush is a must after surgery too!

Hope this helps someone.

Saveme, so glad you're out the other side from surgery safe and sound and still sounding as chirpy as ever.

Gilly, cleanas and anyone else about to go through it, a million hugs for you. I hope come through surgery swiftly and without too much discomfort.

Frances, thank you. I relieved to have been told today that I am in the clear. It's a load of blocked up milk ducts from hormonal changes which are swelling even more because of stress. So to anyone else reading this thread in a similar position, and worrying , it's not always cancer. It could just be big fat lumpy achey milky stress baps.

To those who have been diagnosed, this gang are tremendous support. I wish you much luck, love and longevity.

Now I'm afraid I'm going to go and get p'ssed. X

Well done RICKETS, the only way is onwards & upwards now. I also found a V pillow useful after: mx with LD flap reconstruction.
Don't do too much too soon; I ended up trying to be superwoman and my back opened up. So, take it easy & put your feet up.
Sending big hugs

GURGLE what BRILLIANT news. I'm so pleased for you. Go paaaaarty!
Go and have a bl**dy good Christmas with your family -x-

Congrats on your stress baps gurgle

saveme, best wishes for your recovery from the surgery!
gurgle, brilliant news, go forth and celebrate!
cleanas still thinking of you. I hope you're getting lots of support and distraction!

Thank you, helza. Doing ok but recovering at the weekend is so much harder than mon-fri when the house is peaceful and I can sleep!

I'm still here.
Ive had my pre op assessment this week and a GP appointment.
Also had a few visitors and put the Xmas decs up.

I'm fine,just feeling more nervous now the op date is getting nearer.

So you've had your op Save,thats another step on this journey over and done with,hope you feel better soon x

I'm thinking of you all ,take care

Clean, I came round grinning my head off. You'll feel so much better when it's actually done, I'm sure.

Glad to hear that things are moving on WHISTLE. Once you're into the surgery & treatment plan, you can feel that you're tackling it: the waiting room is the worst place to be.
What are they suggesting? As I've already said, I had a mx with LD flap reconstruction. I spoke to BCCUK & they got someone to phone me who'd had the operation. It was good to talk to someone who'd been there & knew what I was going to go through.
Sending you all the best wishes that I can. -x-

Just had a text from my GP surgery saying I should have a flu jab...just what I need,another appointment.Already having a filling at the dentist this week.

Thanx Frances,my op will be a partial removal of my breast including nipple.Next year they will take tissue from my other breast to make it smaller to match the other.I think I have this option because I have D cup but will end up with B or C.

Whistle, just be careful you don't whip your top off for the flu jab out of habit

It's good that they invited you for a jab, I might phone my docs and enquiry if it's a general recommendation. I remember having proper flu once and don't fancy it again.

When I went for a chat with the GP and she said bye,take care I nearly said is that it,do you not want to have a look lol

Good luck with the op WHISTLE

Thank you Frances.

Does anyone know if I will have to have an appointment to have stitches out or my dressing changed ?

I don't know whistle, but good luck for the op. I hope it all goes well.

Thank you Save.
I decided to read through my breast cancer pack last night.I had no interest in looking at it but thought I had better know what happens after the op.
Its very useful and answered all my questions...should have read it sooner.

Hope everyone is ok,take care x