Could it be just a cyst?

[wubblybubbly]

Been to drs today about a lump in my breast I've had a few weeks. I was convinced it was just a cyst (had them before) so not at all worried, but she's examined me and said she doesn't think it is, which has knocked me for 6.

She said it feels too hard to be a cyst, but it's huge, she wrote down 5cm and it sort of just appeared that size, although it might've got a bit bigger/harder, tbh that's why I was convinced it was cyst.

Anyway, I've now got to be seen within 2 weeks and am waiting to hear when my appt is for mammogram, biopsy etc and my head is reeling. I'm thinking it's defo a cyst one minute and then just horrible stuff the next.

Has anyone had this type of thing and found out it was just a cyst after all?

Hope this makes sense, my brain doesn't seem to be functioning properly.

yes,I agree that taking control as much as you can really helps - your attitude is great,it'll really help you through this. Please do join us on the tamoxifen thread -am sure it'll help over the next weeks.

Good luck for tomorrow!

Thank you GeekyGirl

Good luck today, Wubbly - you did mean Sunday, and not Monday? I'm impressed they're doing scans on a Sunday! So glad they didn't make you wait.

Hi Elibean, yep, it was this morning at 8.30! All fairly straightforward after they managed to get the scanner up and working!

My GP said they'd approved an extra CT session for today as there was a significant number of patients waiting to be scanned, so it's fantastic that they can do that, I certainly feel a lot happier now it's done.

Next step, I assume, is waiting to hear from the consultant for my next appointment to work out a plan of treatment. It's pretty certain it will be chemo first, followed by mastectomy, after that I'm not sure.

I'll be calling the BCN tomorrow to get a timescale on the next appointment etc, so I'll keep you all up to date xxx

glad to hear that things are getting going xx

Hurrah for Sunday scanning, thats good!

Hope you get next date soon, Wubbly. I think its fairly standard with IBC to do the chemo part first, would imagine you're right about that being next step. Hang in! xxx

Hello again ladies

Well, some good news, I think! My CT scan results seem to show no spread beyond the one lymph node that they biopsied! A few tiny spots on the lungs, but nothing to indicate cancer (I guess they know what they're talking about!) liver clear, bones clear

There's something in my adrenal gland which they want to check out with MRI, but they say that the scans often throw up something in the adrenal gland and it's quite likely to be unrelated and something that I've always had, but needs to be checked out further to be sure.

They still want to do a full bone scan too, but I think this is just par for the course and no reason (at the minute) for concern.

A massive PHEW!

My only concern now is they've booked me in for a mastectomy on 15/16 March. This is confusing me as everything I've read says chemo first, mastectomy later

I understand that I'm being included in some sort of clinical trial that uses the matter from the mastectomy to establish the best chemo combination to treat the cancer and that sounds great, but I'm concerned that the mastectomy first might involve a higher risk in order to establish this.

I've got two lumps, one 60mm and one 70mm, although they can't identify how much is cancer and how much is inflammation.

My BCN is arranging the MRI, bone scan and a multi discipline meeting to decide which way to proceed and I should get back to see the consultant sometime around the 11th March.

I wanted to post here to let all of you who have been so kind and supportive know what's happening, but I'm going to copy and paste to the TAMOXIFEN thread too, to see if any of the lovely ladies there have any thoughts on the pros and cons of mastectomy first or later.

xxx

Great news re the scans, Wubbly

For the protocol part, I am sure your team are aware of the various 'norms' and options and are looking at your case as an individual one. That said, you are always entitled to ask another hospital for their opinion, I think? The ladies of the Tamoxifen thread will be far wiser than me on that, though.

Very happy to hear about your scans Wubbly.

Thank you Elibean and GeekyGirl. It is good news so far

I've got my bone scan Monday and MRI Wednesday then back to see the consultant on Thursday.

I just want to get to next Thursday now and find out exactly what is going on. For some reason they're still talking about mastectomy first and chemo later, it's making me think perhaps they jumped the gun with the IBC diagnosis and perhaps it's not so bad after all.

I'm beginning to irritate myself now with this endless thinking....

It does sound as though the new research, whatever it is, is playing a part in deciding your protocol - could be very good, but I agree, I'd want a lot more explanation. Which I'm sure you can get from your consultant, when you see him.

But how could you not be thinking about it so much...I know I would be! Its good they are gathering so much info anyway: this way, they and you can make the best decisions as to how to go forward. And its all actually moving quite fast, too. I've heard so many women say the waiting for treatment/surgery to start is the worst bit...you're doing really well.