Removal of a Fibroadenoma - Breast Lump

[Ronniebaby]

I attended a hospital appointment Last Friday (12th).

Well after getting there and waiting 30 mins, I went in to see the consultant, who mentioned why I was there, but when I said to him that I had Fibroadenomas, his surprised look on his face, told me that he hadn?t read my notes.

I then went to the sonographer for a scan, I told him that I already knew I had fibroadenomas and that I had 5/6 on the right and 6 on the left.

After scanning he said that it was definitely a fibroadenoma. Not cancerous, so nothing really to worry about. (Me worry, never do)

I then went back to the consultant, who discussed things with me, he said that did I know that when a fibroadenoma gets to 2cm's or larger that they aren?t going to get any smaller. This one is over 2cm's, he then asked me would I be comfortable with him removing it. To which I said yeh not a problem. He did say that if I left it, it would definitely get larger and wouldn?t shrink. And would be able to see it eventually from the outside.

So I am now on the waiting list, but the consultant did say that I would be in on a Monday afternoon, and I would be there all afternoon, but home later that day, he would try to operate with the minimal of scarring, but to be aware that there will be scarring.

So that?s it. I?m am fine, not worried and just happy it is a fibro, and feel its better to have it out than leaving it there for it to get larger and become to obvious. DH wants me to go private, I said I cant be arsed, consultant wasn?t worried about it, neither am I, I?m not in any pain or it doesn?t bother me, so I?ll have it done free on the NHS.

Then O M G

Monday (15th) I had a phone call, from the Hospital.

I have a pre op assessment on Tuesday 23rd Jan (next week) and I have a provisional appointment for my operation on the 29th January.

So can you believe it, with in two weeks I have an appointment and may have the op, not bad going.

I think if I'd have gone private I would have only been a few days earlier.

What I really want to say as well is Ladies, go get lumps checked out, they may be harmless. I have had Fibroadenomas/Cysts etc, since my breasts started growing, but I always get them checked out. They are harmless and a lot of women have them.

BTW I didn?t post this thread to get sympathy, I aint that kind of person. I posted it to make all women aware of checking themselves regularly. A lot of lumps are harmless and either disperse themselves or can be aspirated by the doctor. The majority turn out to be cysts or fibroadenoma?s.

My recent one is a little b*gger. I couldn?t find it whilst I was checking standing/sitting up, I only found it whilst lying down. So I just wanted to make you all aware that when you check yourself, do it both upright and lying down.

I?ll keep you posted about the assessment and the operation.

I've had fibroadenomas since i was 18 (33 now). I had 2 very large ones removed, one from each breast, 15 and 12 years ago. In more recent appointments, however, I've been told it's not advisable, or advantajous, to remove them anymore. I've been told this by several doctors now, both here and back home. Have you asked for a second opinion?
As for them not shrinking and only getting bigger, that is wrong. I had lots of them, including a very big one, def bigger than 2cm, and after pregnancy and breastfeeding, I can't feel anything at all.

I had a lump removed 6 years ago. No-one told me how the area would be so sore and so tender for so long. Even now, at certain times of the month, the scar tissue in that area is too painful to be touched.

I've recently been for more check ups after finding another lump and the mammograms and ultra scan thingys show that I have a number of cysts in both boobs. The cysts make them very painful.

I would have my boobs removed if I could. I seriously asked my consultant about this. They cause me so much worry and pain!

My MIL is a theatre nurse, so she asked one of the consultants at her hospital and he said they would take it out, they prefer to remove it than leave it there, especially where mine is as its in the cleavage area. I also asked on the Breast Cancer website and they said that it would be best to remove it, even tho it isnt cancerous. For my own peace of mine as well.

I arrived at hospital at 1pm, was placed in my day bed area, saw the consultant, spoke to the anaesthetist, who explained what drugs etc I would be having.

At 3.55pm I went into the theatre area, into the room to be anaestheatised, I remember chatting to the anaesthetist, then next thing was I was talking to my aftercare nurse.

I was only in for 25 mins. But I didn't come round till 4.45pm.

I was a little sore, but really exhausted.

DH came back about 5.45pm. I had my welcomed cuppa tea & 2 slices of toast (yum yum).

I was allowed to come home and got home at 7.30pm.

So I'm still knackered but feeling ok.

Had lovely half hugs from my boys.

I can't drive for between 1-2 days.

I can remove my dressing Tuesday after 7pm, but have Co-codamol to take for a week or so.

Hopefully I be back in action very soon

I don't know if anyone has told you Ronniebaby because they didn't tell me, but the area where the lump is removed from can be tender and sore for a very long time. For about two years afterwards it was still sort of numb and is tender even today.

Nobody thought to tell me that this is what the scar tissue can cause so I worried needlessly about that, so do ask someone if you have similar problems after.