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Original poster

CHECK YOUR BREASTS!!!

739 replies

FiveSoloRings · 20/12/2009 13:37

I got news this morning that one of my friends died yesterday. She was in her very early 30's, two young children and everything to live for. Despite a mastectomy a couple of years ago, the cancer spread and she is gone. I can't tell you how dreadful I feel.

It is so important that we check our breasts regularly. It takes a few minutes and could save your life.
One of my best friends had a message just like this one, but it was face to face and by her boyfriends exgf who also had just had a mastectomy because of breast cancer. This message from such an unlikely messenger almost certainly saved my best friends life.

Pass the message on please ladies. Make sure your friends and family are nudged into remembering to check.

OP posts:
solo · 31/03/2010 17:21

Bump

solo · 01/04/2010 15:42

Bump...

silentcatastrophe · 02/04/2010 11:11

I would never have found the lump in my boob. Checking your breasts is really quite uncomfortable, and not something in my experience that I would wish to inflict on myself. When they do it at the breast clinic they would knead dough the same way.

I was pg when a doctor first found the lump and all the tests came back neutral. When dd was 1, the lump was still there and bigger. Had it not already been noticed, it could have been much easier for me to pretend to myself that it wasn't there or that it would go away on its own.

I now have one rubber boob. I had an MRI scan last year,and have an appointment to get the results. I have times when it feels as though I have a life of my own, then once again I become hospital property. I find it very frightening.

solo · 02/04/2010 12:31

Really sorry to hear that silent; I would've thought they'd have contacted you before now if there was anything untoward, so that's probably a good thing

I have never found self exam uncomfortable and when my GP checked mine, it was in the same way I do them; perhaps they have different techniques and hopefully they are equally efficient at finding any would be problems. My first 'lesson' was by a GP back in the mid 80's! I was 20 something.

I hope all is well with you anyway and please let us know how it all goes...

solo · 03/04/2010 19:07

Bumping..

MaryAnnSingleton · 04/04/2010 08:55

Easter bump

silentcatastrophe · 04/04/2010 17:24

I think I have some scarring in my rubber side. I hope thats it.

solo · 05/04/2010 00:39

I believe that is 'normal' silent, but even if you get a bump in the scar area, you must get it checked straight away...my friend got one there and it had spread before she got it checked. I hated saying that to you, but it's important and I'm sure that not everyone would consider a lump in the scar tissue a problem and ignore it. It can be bad, very bad.

MaryAnnSingleton · 05/04/2010 08:42

I know that after surgery there is sometimes lumpy scarring - it's often difficul to tell what's what. My bad side feels totally different because of rdiotherapy damage (it makes hard areas) Best to check,no one would think it silly to do so.

solo · 07/04/2010 04:18

bump

silentcatastrophe · 07/04/2010 18:06

My rubber boob is quite lumpy anyway as it's only got 15mls saline in it It can hold as much as 150mls I think, but then I'd have a banger like Jordan. I have been offered a new kind of implant because of the crumpled effect,but to date I have said no to more operations unless they are absolutely necessary.

I've heard about radiotherapy hardening tissue. Have you had reconstruction,MaryAnnS?

MaryAnnSingleton · 07/04/2010 18:25

no reconstruction because I had a lumpectomy..bit dented but otherwise intact

silentcatastrophe · 07/04/2010 20:15

I had a lumpectomy too. I know what you mean about the dented bit! Now it's all rubber with a dent scar on that side for me.

sanfairyann · 09/04/2010 21:18

got the all clear today - hurrah
bumping for everyone - don't be scared and don't put it off!

MaryAnnSingleton · 09/04/2010 21:25

excellent news !

solo · 10/04/2010 20:07

That's fantastic news sanfairy; I'm really pleased for you

Amapoleon · 12/04/2010 20:03

Hola! Yet another instalment in the longest diagnosis in history!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's been 3 and a half months so far, 4 since I found it.

I had an appointment with another doctor today to discuss the results of my ultrasound and mammogram.

They are still not sure what my lump is and now want me to have a core biopsy. Unfortunately the woman who does the biopsies is on maternity leave!!!!!! So they are going to send me to Spain to have one done privately. If they can't get me an appointment in the next week, I will have the lump removed and they will do a biopsy then.

Either way it's coming out, so fingers crossed.

Can anyone who has had a core biopsy and or a lump removed tell me what's involved? Ho Thanks, hope you are all well.

Amapoleon · 12/04/2010 20:28

Sorry , don't know where that random HO came from hahaha.

silentcatastrophe · 13/04/2010 17:05

The first core biopsy I had was taken by a grumpy woman with a big needle. It stayed bruised for donkeys years. The next one was soooo much easier, and hardly bruised at all. I was even given a local anaesthetic. Having a lump taken out leaves a scar and a dent.

Sorry I've got to dash to the docs as I've missed my appointment at the breast clinic and I get very frightened about this whole cancer thing.

smee · 13/04/2010 17:27

Hi Amapoloen, a core biopsy shouldn't hurt - well mine didn't. They give you local anaesthetic to numb the site, then a very small incision is made. A bizarre looking instrument with a large needle is put in, then under ultrasound they extract cells/ tissue from the lump. They tend to take several samples - in my case four. The weird bit is the sound it makes when they take the tissue - it's a loud click - sort of like a trigger noise. I was bruised afterwards for a while or so. It really isn't as bad as you'd think. Hope it all comes back clear.

Amapoleon · 13/04/2010 20:49

Thanks for that, it doesn't sound so bad. The breast nurse phoned me today to say they are still trying to track down a biopsy for me somewhere on the Costa Del Sol!

What I don't understand is, the dr said the lump would have to be removed anyway so why not just take it out and then do the biopsy. Seems like a lot of faff to me.

I've been a bit spooked today, yesterday it all seemed quite urgent and the breast nurse was so nice to me that I wondered whether she knew something I didn't. I'm calmer now and think she is just a nice woman.

Amapoleon · 14/04/2010 17:00

Next instalment! The hospital have now brought a locum in to do the biopsy on Sunday morning. Fingers crossed

MaryAnnSingleton · 14/04/2010 19:19

Amapoleon - good luck !! Agree with what Smee said..the only thing about the core biopsy is that they forgot to tell me about the click which nearly made me jump off the bed every time they took a sample ! Was fine afterwards,not sore or bruised especially. Really hope the results are good

silentcatastrophe · 15/04/2010 10:58

I don't know if Arnica helps. It certainly doesn't do any harm. I've been to the doctor because we couldn't get to my proper appointment. They want to do another test. This time another ultrasound to see if it tallies with what they can see on the MRI scan. I feel as though my body belongs to the hospital and not to me.

I hope your biopsy is ok, Amapoleon.

Amapoleon · 15/04/2010 12:58

Thanks, will let you know. I'm guessing about a week for results but will know more on Sunday. Hope your tests are ok too, silent.

I'm feeling quite blue today, after having talked myself out of it being cancer, I have now talked myself back in to it. I'll be fine tomorrow, just having a bad day.