Lump in breast - not coping well.

[Anxiousandconfused2024]

Hi all,
I'm sorry because I know there's a million threads on this (I've been reading through them at 3am). But I just need a bit of hand holding and reassurance.

I've been a bit under the weather the last week or so. Had a lot of stress in my personal life too. I was curled up on the sofa on Sunday and spelt a stabbing pain in my right breast. Just under my nipple and to the right. Put it down to my bra digging in and didn't think anything of it. On Monday I noticed a red painful mark on my breast, felt and there was a lump. I couldn't get a GP appointment on Tuesday but booked I'm for Wednesday (yesterday). I have folliculitis (normally in my groin) so just (stupidly) expected it to be that but in a new location, thought I'd get a course of antibiotics and would be good to go! I went into the doctors and managed to meet a doctor who wasn't very kind. I was sitting there explaining and said I'd been under the weather, her first reaction was to literally throw a mask at me and say "I DONT WANT IT". For clarification, I was feeling fine yesterday. She also had a go at me because I'd selected yes to "family history of breast cancer" and when I explained my Auntie died of breast cancer 25 years ago she sharply told me that "your auntie isn't immediate family, that question is about immediate family, not extended" like I was meant to know that?!
Anyway, it's a hard lump that's (according to mean doctor) 2cm x 1cm. Once I'd put my clothes back on she went "I'm prescribing you antibiotics" and I said "great, does that mean it's just a cyst or infection?" She said "no" and I asked what she meant and she said "I'll tell you when I finish typing."
Basically said she's referring me and can't tell me anything else, which felt very ominous. I asked her if it was serious and she said something along the lines of "I can't say, that's like me asking you what's happening tomorrow, you wouldn't be able to say".
The tears were STREAMING and I went to my car and cried before carefully driving home.
I've been up all night and am forcing myself to eat (this is how my body reacts to stress).
For background I'm 30, according to mean doctor, my mums sister doesn't count as having a family history.

I've been unable to work today because I've been being sick and anytime anyone asks how I am, I burst into tears.

My appointment at the clinic is July 1st, I've called up and explained I suffer from anxiety and am VERY frightened. They've put me on the cancellation list but have advised that for obvious reasons they don't get a lot of cancellations.

I've been thinking the worst and trying to be positive but after my experience yesterday, I'm really concerned. Any help/reassurance would be appreciated.

Thank you SO much in advance x

They've started a new system online where you request an appointment online and do a questionnaire at 7.45. That was where I put in about family history too... I know they've had a problem with staffing (I know that's across the whole NHS), the nurses have always been lovely. But the doctors and receptionists have been generally unhelpful. Even when I was there on Wednesday there were two people who came into the waiting room with complaints of the surgery being difficult.
Doctors are meant to be there to help, not to cause you more anxiety and it hurts my heart that this doctor was unkind and rude.

Thanks for the suggestions on hobbies, trying to just keep myself busy. It's really tough, I'm still finding it difficult to sleep so just feel drained and completely unfocused x

That doctor should find another profession. What a heartless pos she is. Sounds like a raging psychopath. I'm sorry you had to go through that.

Hoping the 26th comes round quick for you, op. Sounds like you have a lovely mum.

Yeah, I also don't really know why she put me on antibiotics? I didn't ask and she didn't explain, so I guess the onus is on us both, I was just in shock I think.

I'm very biased, but my Mum is super lovely! She's a complete rockstar, had 4 of us in 6 years and made it look easy!

The good news is my borderline obsessive tendency of logging onto the app to check dates means that this morning I saw an appointment for Thursday this week! So that's booked! They're not open on weekends so any cancellation must stay on there.

If anyone is reading this in the future, KEEP CLICKING REARRANGE APPOINTMENT! Mines now been bought forward by over a week and a half! It's now just one week and one day after I originally saw doctor!xx

Yeah, I also don't really know why she put me on antibiotics?
The only explanation I can come up with is that she has actually diagnosed folliculitis and the breast clinic referral is purely protocol because that's what GPs have to do for breast lumps. Has there been any change in the lump since you started taking the antibios? Are they the ones you normally take for folliculitis?

Really great news that you've got an earlier appointment.

So she said she was giving me those ones and I said "oh I've tried various ones for other cysts and the only one that work is another one" and she went "well I think these work better for lumps in breast".

Regarding the lump, it's definitely become less "angry" and painful, but not entirely sure if its shrunk. I check it so much that I can't remember what it actually felt like to begin with x

What appalling treatment from your nasty GP! I really feel for you. They made an already unpleasant and scary situation so much worse.

I had a very similar experience back in March this year and remember being terrified while waiting for my appointment at the clinic. It is great that you are being seen earlier than originally scheduled and I am keeping everything crossed for you. So many lumps turn out to be benign (mine was a cyst) I wish you all the very best.

It might be worth asking work if you can be put on light duties. Obvs depends on the type of job you have, but when I was diagnosed I wanted to keep as normal as possible but couldn't face the normal work stress. My manager gave me mundane tasks, let me work from home every day, and told me to put out out of office on so nobody contacted me. It was a massive help and kept things a bit more normal.

That's great news you've got an appointment this week. Well done on advocating for yourself and keeping checking the app x

I work in a sales job where I'm on the road about three days a week, WFH two. I don't think they're happy about the fact I'm just WFH this week, my thoughts are at least if I'm here and they call then I can be at the hospital in half an hour. I've made the decision that I'm not too fussed what they think, I need to protect my own mental health currently.

In my head, I need to be at work, but not working. I might end up taking these days as holiday/sick pay, not sure yet.

At least in 3 days I'll know either way, it's the unknown that's killing me...

Also, to whoever suggested wine and chocolate... THANK YOU!xxx

Just for anyone following/in the future.
I had my appointment this afternoon, got there in plenty of time and took my book (parking was manic, and I couldn't find the clinic so it was a good start!)
I cannot sing this clinic's praises enough! I cried in both appointments because they were so kind after my horrendous doctors appointment. The first thing he said after the exam was "I'm not concerned at all about that lump, I'm just concerned that you burst into tears when I asked about your doctor". The nurse gave me a huge hug and kept coming to check on me when I was waiting on the ultrasound. The ultrasound technician was hilarious! He was greek and was explaining the origin of all my favourite Greek swear words (I lived over there for a while), confirmed it was a fatty lipoma and that these things happen and its nothing to be concerned about. Said I could get it taken out but that it wasn't really needed and to call him if I was ever worried. Also made me promise to make a complaint about the doctor, said to let him know if I needed him to show her his martial arts skills. The treatment at the hospital vs the doctors was like night and day! I cannot believe how amazing they were. Now sitting here with a VERY large glass of prosecco and enjoying my evening!

Fun fact, my boyfriend was leaving work to meet me there, he called me as he was pulling into the hospital and I tried to give him directions to where I was. The mixture of bad reception and anxiety meant that he didn't get my directions. I got called in about 20 minutes later, I saw his text as I was sitting down in my first appointment saying "I'm in the waiting room". When I walked back out he wasn't there, I called him, turns out he was sitting with all the expectant mother and fathers in the ultrasound department because he knew I was getting an ultrasound. In his words "I just thought God, a lot of these people are pregnant". He did eventually find his way and as he sat down he banged his head on the photo frame behind him. 10/10 would recommend taking your boyfriend if you need a giggle during these appointments, he ended up on a ward at one point during his wanders 😂

Thank you all so much for all your support!xx

Aw that’s wonderful news op! Thank you for updating. Definitely make a complaint about that vile doctor . I hope your partner’s head is not too sore after banging it 🤣🤣 sort of thing I’d do!

sorry to hear about the lump op, I've been to the breast clinic a fair few times

That doctor sounds awful and not compassionate at all. Has anyone explained what will happen at the clinic to you? When I found mine, my GP told me that the referral was because they can investigate further to see what's going on

Great to hear your update op!
Had my one stop appt today too. 2 x cysts which were drained....25mls total volume I'm very small busted so this seemed huge! All good though

The aunt thing is weird. I have breast cancer and there’s enough in it in my family tree that ive been referred for genetic testing and none of my family history is “immediate” by her definition.

edit: just seen your updated. So pleased for you :)

Op I'm sorry you got such a unsympathetic doctor. Fingers are crossed for you sweetheart, sending hugs x I had similar thing many years ago. Got a one stop shop at the local hospital, mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy in the same day. All clear just a cyst x

I get it OP but try not to worry, there's nothing you can do about it.
I had my first mammogram yesterday, got a call early this morning to say I had abnormal mass and was booked in for a ultrasound/biospy. I strongly believe the energy you give out is what you get back so I'm only being positive about this, it it is cancer I will deal with it. Wishing you positive thoughts.

Brilliant news, op. So so happy for you. Your partner thinking everyone was pregnant and not realising gave me a chuckle 😅

Get that complaint sent off about that doctor and have a wonderful relaxing evening 🩵

Honestly, I'd had such an anxious long day and him coming in and making ab entrance like that was just what I needed!

Over the last couple of days, my upset has turned to anger at the doctor. I'm going to loudly hand deliver a complaint letter and send it over email after. What a horrible horrible way to treat people. I've had a week of chronic anxiety/anxiety attacks all because of the way this doctor has treated me. After hearing from the experts today, it was handled appallingly by the GP.

I asked her what the referral meant and if it was serious and she said "well I'm sending an urgent referral to the suspected cancer clinic for you and that's about all I can say".
I was at the hospital a shorter time than I was at the doctors, in that time I saw two specialists and had an ultrasound. I was completely overwhelmed by the kindness of the hospital. It was polar opposite experiences.

You poor thing! Hopefully it went as well as it could have done and you're now having a relaxing evening. I hope your hospital experience was similar to mine, that you felt fully supported and we're treated with kindness ❤️

Sending you all the love and positivity ❤️xx

Fantastic news op so so glad for you x enjoy your alcoholx you deserve it x

I'm so sorry you had that experience.

It's truly shocking and makes me wonder why people like that go into a caring profession.
Send you hugs and hoping you get to see someone with more humanity soon x

Am glad you got your appointment and all is well . You really must complain,that GP is in the wrong job !

What a relief @Anxiousandconfused2024 and hurrah for the breast clinic. You would have been concerned about the referral whatever the GP had said to you, but she made it a hundred times worse than it needed to be.