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Original poster

referral to breast clinic (again)

25 replies

hellobello · 25/07/2007 12:53

I'm more worried this time, as I've got a large swelling in my boob. It's quite uncomfortable. I've had a mammogram and various tests already and I'm worried that this is the same lump only much much bigger. I have also been trying to pretend it's not there for quite some time.

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Original poster
hellobello · 25/07/2007 16:44

It's happening pretty quickly. The clinic called me instead of the other way round and I have an appt for next week. I am going to a more specialist clinic where they have all the machines and labs so they'll be able to tell me what's wrong. I'm really quite frightened.

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seb1 · 25/07/2007 16:49

You are doing the right thing they will deal with it quickly and give you answers, the worst part is the waiting.

Original poster
hellobello · 25/07/2007 17:11

It's taken a long time to get this far - I first went for tests nearly 2 years ago when I first became pg with dd#2. The tests were inconclusive and they decided not to do a biopsy and to see how things were when the baby arrived. I heard nothing and did nothing because I didn't really want to think about it, but I've had a niggling worry in the back of my mind for a while now.

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HullaBalloo · 25/07/2007 19:42

If you have had a niggling worry about it then it's good that it will be dealt with now.I know what a worry it is though, especially waiting for tests to be done - I had to have some breast lumps investigated when my ds was 6 mths old and I was terrified. Turned out they were cysts but they also, during the tests, found another very small lump which I wasn't even aware of.It was a fibroadenoma which is a benign type of lump - and most breast lumps are benign, but I still decided to have it removed for peace of mind. If you have a large swelling it sounds very much like the cysts that I had - have they done an ultrasound as they diagnosed mine that way ?

Original poster
hellobello · 25/07/2007 19:45

It won't be long till my boob is a big lump. It hurts a bit too. It seems to have got bigger very quickly. I'm glad you were ok HullaBalloo.

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Leati · 25/07/2007 19:56

hellobello,

I know telling you not worry is asking for the impossible but I hope it helps to know women get bumps for many reasons. The fact that is hurts makes me wonder if maybe you have a breast infection. Have you recently quit or changed your nursing pattern?

HullaBalloo · 25/07/2007 21:12

I think that the fact that the lump has got big so quickly and is tender is probably a good sign, in that it could well be a cyst or some sort of infection.My GP told me, whilst I was waiting for the tests and stressing, to remember that most lumps are benign but it's impossible to feel reassured and not to worry until you know for sure.

Original poster
hellobello · 26/07/2007 13:11

My gp who's normally pretty reassuring, wasn't at all this time, so perhaps although I shouldn't, I do fear the worst. We're trying to move house at the moment and I don't think I could cope with living here any more.

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HullaBalloo · 26/07/2007 19:46

I tend to always fear the worst as well so quite understand - it's almost as if I have to face the worst my imagination can come up with so if it becomes a reality I'll be better prepared to deal with it - just leads to lots of unecessary stress and worrying, in the main, but I can't help but do it.Moving house on it's own is more than enough to be dealing with without this . I hope it all goes well for you next week and that it turns out all this worrying was for nothing !

Original poster
hellobello · 26/07/2007 20:09

I'm surprised by how much it sort of aches. I feel as though it's all my own fault for living such an unhealthy life, especially with fags and booze (stopped the smoking though). The guilt and the self-dustruction are the worst parts so far. I really appreciate your kind words HullaBalloo. Thank you.

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HullaBalloo · 26/07/2007 21:36

I'ts nice to chat to you as I usually manage to kill any threads that I post on ! When is your appointment next week so I can send out some positive vibes for you.

Original poster
hellobello · 27/07/2007 10:09

I thought I was the thread-killer! It's on Tuesday afternoon. I expect I'll be there for quite a while, while they crush my boobs and stick thick needles into them. Last time it was all pretty unpleasant. I can just feel this awful wave of depression crashing down on me. It's been so fantastic living without the spectre of gloom hanging over me.

We're going away this weekend, firstly to see a terrifying aunt!

Have a really good weekend!

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HullaBalloo · 27/07/2007 14:08

Yes it's not nice is it - I actually hated the crushing more than the needles - I had my cysts expirated with a needle and I hardly felt that at all. Still you need to get those answers - I'll send out some positive vibes on Tuesday afternoon then and hope that all goes well for you.
Have a good weekend with the terrifying Aunt !

Original poster
hellobello · 30/07/2007 19:16

I'm trying to prepare (ahem) for tomorrow. It was good to get away at the weekend, and my terrifying aunt behaved herself. I think she is a bit terrified of my mad family, but so am I. Anyway, we are both being checked for cancer on the same day. She has been treated for it some years ago. I am a bit bloody worried.

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brimfull · 30/07/2007 19:34

hellobello,I have had a call back after mammogram aswell,it all turned out well.I know how scary it is.I really hope it all goes well tomorrow,will be sending positive vibes your way.

brimfull · 31/07/2007 23:35

How did it go today hellobello,hope you're okay.

Original poster
hellobello · 01/08/2007 10:37

The whole thing is inconclusive. The mammogram was uncomfortable, mostly because of the lump. My lymph glands are a bit swollen so the horrible needle woman wanted to take a sample. She dug some holes in my armpit and said she wouldn't carry on because it hurt. Of course it bloody well hurts when you are digging holes in someone's flesh if they are alive. She then did a core biopsy which has to go to the labs, so I won't know anything till next week. I will have an operation quite soon to remove the lump. If it is benign it will be quite straightforward. If not, they will have to see if the cancer if that's what it is, has spread, and I will have lots of other treatment as well as having the lump removed. So.... That's where I stand for now. I do appreciate your support, everyone. Thank you.

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brimfull · 01/08/2007 13:45

god -sounds like you were put through the mill yesterday! Poor you ,hope you're feeling better today.The waiting is shit isn't it,hope you can keep yourself busy this week,and sending all good wishes your way.

Original poster
hellobello · 08/08/2007 12:09

I'm off to the hospital today to see what's wrong.

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Original poster
hellobello · 10/08/2007 12:09

Well... After all that, and a week of being pretty uncomfortable with a hole in my boob and a great big bruise, no-one is any the wiser. They said they could leave it for another 6 months and take another look, by which time it will be huge, or take it out next week and see what it is. So... I'm having an operation next week. I'm not looking forward to it at all.

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brimfull · 10/08/2007 13:27

well atleast it will be gone.Sounds like they're not too worried if they were willing to leave it for 6months,so that is good.
Hope you get on ok,when are you going in?

Original poster
hellobello · 12/08/2007 09:42

First thing on Thurs.

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nanninurse · 15/08/2007 23:11

Hope it all goes well hellobello. x

nappyneeds · 18/08/2007 22:19

hi hellobello - i experienced something similar a few years back. I had a small lump which was confirmed by ultrasound (mammogram not preferable due to young age) and they guessed at what it was saying it could be a cyst - it could be a fibroidenoma.

Guesses werent good enough for me so I opted to have it removed. It turned out to be a non-cancerous growth - a papiloma but I think you have to push them until you are happy. I think you are doing the right thing having the operation and I hope it goes well for you.

Original poster
hellobello · 19/08/2007 12:01

The consultant thought it might be a papiloma. Anyway, it's now out and I think I'm ok, just feeling bored and depressed. The op went smoothly and everyone in the hospital was very nice. We'll find out in a couple of weeks what is going on.

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