Lump in breast

[ookla_2]

Hi all...

 

Where to start?

Last Friday I found a lump in my breast. I wasn't doing a self-exam or anything, just showering like normal, and there it was. Of course, I panicked, but I spoke to the nurse and she said I shouldn't freak and set up an appt. for me to come see the doctor. He examined me and said he's pretty sure that it's just swollen glands but set up an appt. for me to have a mammogram and ultrasound just to be on the safe side. That appt. isn't for a few more weeks (wanted to wait until after my next "monthly").

 

My H and my best friend (who are the only ones who knew about this) seem relieved, but I'm still very apprehensive. First off, I've never had a mammogram before and I'm really not looking forward to it. Second off, I don't think that I can relax based on my doctor feeling "pretty sure" it's nothing. I won't relax until I have verification from the mammogram and ultrasound.

 

I read LB's thread with great interest...and would love to hear from anyone who has been through this...maybe you can tell me what to expect from the mammogram or something...I don't know...anything....

 

And maybe add me too, when you are saying a prayer for LB? (which I will be doing too, Lucrezia!!)

[Kasan]

aren't you. I have the same issues with my breasts and in my experience I have found that if the doctor is extremely concerned he will schedule a mammogram or ultra-sound immediately. Depending on what they find they can schedule a biopsy.

 

Mammograms aren't that much of a big deal for me anyway...but can be uncomfortable for some women.

 

Why haven't you had a baseline mammo before?

 

Keep your chin up kiddo!:):):)

[ookla_2]

Thanks, Kasan.

 

Yeah, it's been a rough week, I tell you. And the weekend isn't looking to be too relaxing either...

 

I don't have a history of breast cancer in my family, so my dr. originally planned on waiting until I was 40 to start the mammograms. Of course, I wasn't going to suggest starting any sooner!! My mom has told me all about it and it doesn't sound like anything pleasant. I know I will feel better when it's all done and I have the results. I'm sure they will be fine and will corroborate the doctor's belief that it is just swollen glands, and then I will feel silly for getting so worked up about it.

 

But still...it's just hanging there for now...

[directx]

Alright,

take a breath.

You are going to be worried, so accept that. Don't get too enveloped in it yet until you get some actual answers.

 

I had a small lump on my back which turned out to be a small fat tumor and a lump on my testical which turned out to be nothing.

 

Not trying to give you false hope, but I don't want you to go nuts either.

[This_Too_Shall_Pass]

Ookla_2, it's difficult to stay calm when something like this happens. The presence of a lump is enough to make any woman have nightmares and anxiety about what it might be. So I can imagine how it must be for you.

 

All I can say is, try not to get too worked up over it. It really could just be a swollen gland...and I do hope it turns out to be just that.

 

Btw, regular check-ups are a necessity - especially if the woman is over 35. It's just a yearly check-up, not that much of a hassle. But I guess you're going to be extra particular about check-ups now, anyway.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your diagnosis.

[ookla_2]

Thanks, Directx.

 

I'm really okay, just have nagging, lingering apprehension. I'm not focusing too much on it because I don't want H or anyone else to know that I'm still not satisfied at this point. He was really concerned before I went to the dr. and seemed really relieved with what I was told that day. I don't want him to know that I'm not quite there yet. But I will be, I'm sure.

 

Thanks again for your words of encouragement.

[ookla_2]

Thanks, TTSP!!!

 

I'm sure I will be fine too. And I'm sure I will have to start having them yearly now...even though I thought I still had at least 4 more mammogram-free years.. :(:(

[directx]

Yeah, I didn't tell anyone either until after.

 

Otherwise, they remind you of it, show concern ALL THE TIME (I'm not being sarcastic either!) and it just makes you more anxious!

 

So don't feel guilty about it.

[Kasan]

Another thing Ookla-

 

When you have your mammogram and the radiologist gives his reading to the doctor and things are okay, they probably will want to do another mammogram in 6 months to compare films.

 

Family history is huge...so they will want to know if breast cancer runs on your mother's side.

 

I remember getting my results back and drinking my lunch in relief!

 

It's good to have it checked out!

[LucreziaBorgia]

Hi all...

 

1. First off, I've never had a mammogram before and I'm really not looking forward to it.

 

2. Second off, I don't think that I can relax based on my doctor feeling "pretty sure" it's nothing. I won't relax until I have verification from the mammogram and ultrasound.

 

 

1. Mammograms aren't that bad in and of themselves. They ask you to undress from the waist up, use a cloth or a wipe to take off your deodorant, and put on a robe. When you get into the mammogram room, they place a small round bandaid looking thing with a metal dot on it over your lump to identify where it is on the mammogram. Sometimes they put them over the nipples too to mark those locations, though they didn't with me this time. Then, you stick your breast up on a platform, and another platform comes down on your breast from various angles, and squeezes it. Don't get me wrong - its a good hard sqeeze, but nothing painful. Just uncomfortable between the squeezing and the angle that you have to have your arms in order to keep your breast in position. I don't suggest looking down when they do it. Its traumatic to see your breast turned into a pancake! Now... the nurse will actually position your breast for you, and to me that is the most uncomfortable part. I have large breasts, so it was embarrassing for the nurse to heft it up into place and move it around. Heck, it was embarrassing to have my breasts out like that in the first place, but the nurse was very professional and kind, and did everything to put me at ease. So.. there's that, but its still weird to have someone handling your breast like that. This was my third mammogram, and I was still as nervous as I was the first time. The nurses understand that, though.

 

Your ultrasound will be similar. You go into a room and lie down, and they put some 'warm lubricant' on your breast and run the wand over the lump and take pictures. Again, the nurse was kind and professional. I think they all know how embarrassing it can be for patients.

 

Then... the wait. After a short time, the radiologist will come in and share the prelim results with you, and your doctor will go over the details at a later time. If it looks harmless, they will say so then but will still encourage you to see your doctor. In my case, they were clear from the moment they walked in that it didn't look good. So... you will get reassurance right then, either way.

 

2. I can understand. I would never encourage anyone to assume that its nothing. On the other hand, panic isn't good either. The good thing about what you are saying is that your doctor felt it was ok enough to ride it out a few weeks. A doctor can tell from the shape, the density, the moveability, and the location of the lump whether or not it is suspicious enough to take immediate action on. In my case, it felt suspicious enough for a next day appointment with the radiologist. If your doctor had told you that, then I would be worried. Hell, I'm still worried for you but its reassuring to know that your doctor felt it was ok enough to wait a couple of weeks.

 

So... don't bottle it up. It sounds like you have a good support system, so talk it out with them. I hope you will post again when you find out the results. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!