Looking for advice/handhold

[wearynell]

I found a lump the size of a plum (I have really large lumpy bumpy breasts) in my left breast and have been referred for an emergency mammogram in just over a week's time.

My GP felt my neck and said my glands are swollen too.

I won't lie I'm terrified and not sleeping properly.

Can anyone else that's gone through this please tell me what to expect next? I just froze a bit at the GP appointment as I expected an och it's nothing.

Offering a hand for you.

Have been to the breast clinic twice now, extremely efficient service here. Saw Consultant first who examined me, then off for a Mammogram and then an Ultrasound. Fine needle biopsy first time as lump was solid and they thought Fibroadenoma but had to be sure, then back into the consultant to discuss. If it's the same set up you'll be there a couple of hours, everyone was very friendly and supportive and generally you'll leave with a pretty good idea of what's going on.

There was a poster in the waiting room saying something like 9 out of 10 lumps are benign.

The wait for the appointment I found excruciating, I just tried to distract myself as much as possible.

I have been referred to the breast clinic three times. Each time I was there for around two hours, had mammograms and ultrasound, and biopsies. They might do a fine needle biopsy or a core biopsy or both. The core biopsy involves them numbing the breast then either using ultrasound or the mammogram machine and taking biopsies using a core needle. Be prepared for the sound of this if you have it, the first time I heard it go off I was not prepared for how loud it was. It sounds like a staple gun. None of these procedures were painful, I felt nothing. You will be given a very good idea of what you are dealing with on the day. All of the staff I have encountered in the breast clinic have been amazing, so kind and caring. I'm sure yours will be too.

Thank you @UncomfortableSilence & @steppingcarefully - I think it's the mammogram and any biopsy I'm most scared about, but reading your experiences has made me feel a little calmer.

The nurses are lovely and will help you feel at ease. Tell them you’re scared, they will look after you. Good luck.

It's normal to be worried so take care of yourself. I was worried about the Mammogram too but it was no where near as bad as I thought, very mildly uncomfortable for a moment and the technician was lovely, I wasn't expecting a biopsy so hadn't really thought about that.

Let us know how you get on.