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Original poster

I Found A Lump In My Breast

347 replies

cleanasawhistle · 04/11/2014 12:32

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.

OP posts:
Lifeloveandlaundry · 02/01/2015 17:03

I'm back from a very long day at the clinic but it's good news for me. It looks like a necrosis of fat from an injury to my chest but could be a cyst. Typically the lump reduced today, the Dr could barely feel it, usually you can see it! My lymph nodes are swollen but seem benign. Rescan in 3 months to monitor the injury/cyst. There was a huge range of women at the clinic today and it opened my eyes to the fact that breast problems can strike at any age! I'm thinking of all those who are dealing with uncertainty and hope for positive outcomes for everyone.

helzapoppin2 · 02/01/2015 17:36

cleanas, I've only just read your post about the op. Glad you are through it, and kept your nipple. It takes a long time for the swelling to go down.
Best wishes for your recovery!

Original poster
cleanasawhistle · 02/01/2015 18:20

I still have Cancer.
Went to see the surgeon today for the biopsy results from my op.
I still have cancer in the end of my breast.
The two lymph nodes that were taken show a small amount of cancer too.

I will have an appointment with an Oncolagist (sp) and he will decide what to do about the lymph node results.

He could say they will all have to come out or
radiotheraphy will do or
chemo.

So my next op on my breast will be on the 23rd Jan.

Hope everyone else is having a better start to their year x

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 02/01/2015 18:26

Oh you poor thing. I was thinking about you today. Have you been over to the forum called Breast Cancer Care? It's very busy and there's a lot of good advice.

I hope everything goes well on the 23rd. Take care x

savemefromrickets · 02/01/2015 19:09

Sorry to hear that cleanas. I'll be back for my second boob op soon (mastectomy this time). It's very frustrating and worrying without the complication of lymph glands. Have some sympathy and a large glass of Wine or mug of Brew.

Original poster
cleanasawhistle · 02/01/2015 21:18

Thank you both.

So the cancer has spread to my lymph nodes...how do they know that it hasn't gone further ?

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 02/01/2015 21:21

They will test it and test it and test it, OP. It's such an unsettling and difficult time for you and I'm so sorry.

helzapoppin2 · 02/01/2015 22:39

cleanas, I posted at the start of this thread. I went through the whole thing in America,and they did it slightly differently. They removed all my nodes at the same time as the lumpectomy. I wasn't expecting it, but knew it was a possibility, so woke up, noticed all the padding under my arm and thought "Oh, blast!"
Cancer was detected in two of them, so they whipped out the lot. That was just before Christmas 2008. On about Jan 3rd,2009, I had a whole body CT scan to see if there was any spread, and they found none. After that I had chemo, and the radiotherapy, as a belt and braces approach to mop up any stray cells.
That was what they did with me, anyway. I hope that helps. Although it was the US, there is a gold standard of treatment they follow here as well.
Sorry this has happened. Sorry you have to have another op. Blast!

malteserzz · 02/01/2015 23:30

Mine weren't clear either so had a full node clearance, it's quite common for it to be in the nodes and just means that they will throw everything at if to make sure any stray cancer cells are mopped up. I know it's not the news you wanted but it's not the end of the world either.

savemefromrickets · 03/01/2015 08:17

Cleanas, apologies for mentioning it if it's not relevant to you, but if you have critical illness cover now would be a good time to try making a claim. That sounds very doom and gloom but isn't. Mine paid out even though my prognosis is very good.

FeckthisFrankie · 03/01/2015 08:28

So sorry it wasn't the news you were hoping for cleanas what an arsing way to start the year. I am glad they are being so thorough though and hopefully you will come out the other end of the year with much better news.
I really am very sorry you have to go through this Flowers Brew Cake

Lifeloveandlaundry · 04/01/2015 10:54

I'm sorry the news wasn't better for you cleanas. It sounds like they are putting together a thorough plan of action for you. Hope the op goes well and you get positive results from this. Thinking of you.

gillybean2 · 05/01/2015 16:17

Cleanas I'm sorry to hear your update.
My cancer is in the lymph nodes too.
When I had my original biopsy/mamograms they did a lymph bisopsy at the same time so I knew from the start.
They are going to remove them all when I have my masectomy which will be after my chemo.

I had a CT scan and a full body bone scan and the waiting for me felt worse that the orginal wait for results. Partly because I knew it was bad news already and so was scared it would be even worse news. And partly because I started worrying about every ache and pain and wondering if it was a sign I had missed something else and maybe the breast cancer was a symptom of a different cancer having spread...

So the waiting then was really tough for me. But they did give me the results as soon as they could. The chemo unit actually told me while I was looking round, before my breast nurse managed to phone me with the results even. I guess when it's good news everyone wants to tell you!

With the bone scan they injected me with this radioactive stuff which took all of 30 seconds. Then I had to go away for a few hours and come back and the scan took about 20mins in all. It wasn't in a tunnel, just a donut type ring that moved downwards starting at my head. They strap your arms up which felt a bit odd but helps keep you still.

For the CT scan I had to drink this awful white liquid over 30 mins, and then the same amount again of water in anoher 30mins. Then they scan you and also put a line in while they scan you so they can feed another liquid into your blood vessels and it gives a contrast. Again not in a tunnel but the machine moved much faster and spoke with a funny accent telling you to hold your breathe. All very surreal! Especially the funny feeling they warned I'd feel in my bottom (but actually was in the front bottom! Goodness I've never wanted to scratch so much in all my life!)

So I had a week's wait between each scan, and the results were less than a week after that. Maybe try asking your breast care nurse if/when you'll have the scans. My nurse has been brilliant and got back to me really quickly. She even phoned to tell me I had the CT scan the next day, which was lucky as I didn't get the letter in the post about it till after the appointment. Fingers crossed that you get your scans and results back soon and hoping for good news for you too.

Original poster
cleanasawhistle · 05/01/2015 19:20

Hi Gilly,I've just read your other post too re the weekend and the C.P.
Thats all you need...I think you are going through enough without extra worry.
I haven't seen my sisters for a while because they have both had terrible coughs and colds.
I've told everyone if they want to visit please don't come if you are ill.
No scans have been mentioned.I wasn't expecting to be told the cancer had spread so didn't have any questiond ready.
My BC nurse phoned today and her and the surgeon are meeting with the Oncologist tomorrow to discus what to do with my lymph nodes.

Thank you Helz and everyone for still reading x

OP posts:
Original poster
cleanasawhistle · 11/01/2015 20:23

No updates,still haven't heard from anyone.
The breast care nurse did say if I hadn't heard from the oncologist by the 19th then to get in touch.

Hope everyone is doing ok.

How have you found the reactions of others ?
I have some people in my life who I told all those weeks ago when I was diagnosed and I haven't heard from them since.

OP posts:
Thymeout · 11/01/2015 20:46

I had this when I was going through an ovarian cancer scare. I knew it was going to take some time to find out and it would involve surgery so I told everyone I'd normally be seeing or in touch with during that time.

Then I only updated those who kept in touch, rang me to ask how I was getting on.

I was surprised, too, about the ones who didn't. One of my closest friends just dropped off the radar. I put it down to some people finding cancer harder to deal with than others. Like a phobia. But it did hurt. It's not as if cancer is catching and I knew if our situations had been reversed I'd have made an effort to put my feelings aside.

Original poster
cleanasawhistle · 11/01/2015 21:20

Its hard Thy.

I have had loads of support and some of my friends have been amazing...but it doesn't stop you thinking about the ones who just haven't bothered.

Take care

OP posts:
Original poster
cleanasawhistle · 13/01/2015 23:31

I wish I had an appointment through with the oncologist...I need to know whats happening next,I feel I can cope if I know.
I might phone the BC nurse tomorrow.

OP posts:
helzapoppin2 · 16/01/2015 14:12

Heard any more, cleanas? ;-)

foofooyeah · 16/01/2015 14:19

cleanas one thing something like cancer shows you is who your real friends are. I was amazed at some people I considered good friends who didn't even contact me. But my real friends were brilliant.

Can I suggest you ask for a CT or staging scan. I had not had one at the beginning of treatment as it wasn't thought to be in my lymph nodes but was, so then had a CT scan and a bone scan. But that only happened when I asked the question
"How do you know it hasn't gone any further"

Unfortunately sometimes you do need to be a bit pushy. Waiting for results is horrid. I actually delayed getting mine as needed to get through a couple of family events first.

Have to spoken to your bcn yet?

Original poster
cleanasawhistle · 16/01/2015 23:00

I phoned my BCN on Wed and told her I hadn't had an appointment with the oncologist...she said she would chase it up.

If nothing comes in Mondays post then I will phone up again...my op is on Friday.

I think I will write a list of questions

OP posts:
helzapoppin2 · 17/01/2015 17:29

Good luck for Friday, cleanas. Its not nice having to go through it again. My best wishes will be with you.

Original poster
cleanasawhistle · 18/01/2015 19:08

Thank you so much Helza

OP posts:
Original poster
cleanasawhistle · 20/01/2015 15:44

A nurse phoned me at 10.30am yesterday to say could I meet with the Oncologist at lunch time...at the hospital that is over 50 miles away and would take me 70 mins to get to on a good day,never mind icy windy roads.
I said no,not enough notice,I've been waiting 3 wks etc etc.
Another nurse phoned me at 11am and said you will have to come,no other options be here between 3 and 4.
So I get there for 3pm and leave at 5.30pm.
Mad dash to get home because I was supposed to be getting picked up at 6.30pm for a meal out with friends.I did'nt get home till 6.55pm.

So on Friday I will have the cancer removed from my breast.
The lymph nodes can stay where they are,only small traces of cancer found in them.
19th Feb I will start chemo...4 sessions every 21days.
Radiotheraphy after that.

OP posts:
malteserzz · 20/01/2015 18:25

Clean that is rubbish of them, I had a similar experience when I received letter with my first oncology appointment in an hours time. With everything else it's just a stress you could do without isn't it

Glad you haven't got to have the node clearance and only 4 chemo sessions. Do ask if you need any tips and advice Smile