This is my first time posting on here, but reading others stories was such a comfort and support while I was awaiting a breast screening, I wanted to hopefully do the same for others.
I went to my Dr to discuss having the Mirena coil removed (had it in over a year and just don’t like it), I mentioned my left breast was often sore and my nipple had a milky coloured discharge if I squeezed it. This prompted her to do a breast examination and she found a lump. I was referred on the 2ww and got a hospital appointment for 10 days later.
I was TERRIFIED. Never felt fear like it. I have a DD (13) and DS (4), the thought of telling DD was horrendous and I felt so guilty to them both. I have dimpling on that breast only, but tried to feel the lump many times and couldn’t (made myself sore prodding and poking!). That 10 days was the longest of my life, I barely ate, went between not sleeping to having the deepest sleeps that I struggled to wake up from.
I went to the appointment alone yesterday, as I just felt I’d cope better. The consultant asked me a few questions, he told me the discharge was completely normal, especially with a 4 year old, then did a physical examination and said he felt nothing and everything felt completely normal for my age (45). I got dressed and assumed I’d go to the waiting room for the next stage of the appointment, but that was it. Discharged! I was so relieved I cried to the nurse, who was lovely and said everyone just gets referred to them if there’s any uncertainty. I received my discharge letter today stating ‘mastalgia’ as the cause – apparently this just means breast pain.
Nothing anyone said took away the anxiety in the run up to the appointment, but this forum really helped. So I just wanted to say thank you, share my positive story, and send love to anyone in a similar position as I know what a horrendous time it is.