Change in breast shape and lump.

Hello,

I'm sorry you're having this worrying time but at least as you say you are doing the right thing, getting everything properly checked out and not leaving it ' to see if it get's worse'. Waiting is always the worst part of this process. Whatever the results of your next examinations, at least you will know what is happening. Benign cyst.......well, that would be great news.....cancer....well, not so great as it will involve further treatment which is sometimes unplesant but most breast cancers are treated very successfully these days and many people make full recoveries. The fact you have regularly monitored your breasts and have noticed a change that can be investigated is a good thing. It means that should it be cancer, you have given yourself a good chance by finding it early. Having said that.. ..many lumps are not cancers. You probably won't get answers about that from here because those people don't  need to stay on the site for further advice. For now there is nothing that can be done until you have a result so although I know it's impossible.....try not to worry before Tuesday. Find a distraction that will take your thoughts to something else.

So, use this site as often as you need. There is usually someone who can chat and reassure you or just listen. If you want a distraction the posts on the Awake thread will often make you laugh. There is a lot of experience there too for more serious moments. You can tell your family later if you have something to tell them and you can discuss your fears here in the mean time.

Tuesday is, as you said, not too far away. I hope the appointment goes well but let us know anyway.

Love Karen

Hi Lacomtekp.

Thank you for your message. I have a busy weekend planned and taking advantage of the eat out to help out on Monday so only have until Tuesday evening to go as my appointment is an evening one. Through the day I am busy with work, it must be on my mind tho as I keep waking through the night and checking the lump i guess just hoping it's miraculously disappeared. I will check the awake thread when I'm awake myself through the night. I hope your doing well and I will let you know the outcome.

Take care x

Hi 50Something and another warm welcome to the club! Fingers crossed you’ll not have to stay long. You asked if anyone else had previous lumps and then one that was ‘different’. Think that’s me. I’ve had many referrals over the years, starting at age 21 with what the GP described as ‘nodular’ breasts. She referred me because my mum had died from bc, and she’d found the nodular ness during a routine check up as I was on the pill (don’t know if any of this is done nowadays, probably not, also had a heart murmur picked up on a previous review). The consultant decided no need for any further action after a thorough examination. Years later I was referred for a tearing breast pain on one side during breast feeding. This was diagnosed as inflammation of the ducts and I was told to stop breast feeding. I stopped on that side but carried on feeding from the other for another 9 months! More years later, found a lump like a marble which I was convinced was cancer but once out proved to be a benign fibroadenoma. More years, cysts in the other breast. Finally, a couple of years ago, I found a ‘thickening’ on the left side which turned out to be cancer. 
As to whether I knew it was different, I’m not sure...I think I did think it could be bad but still had hopes it would be more cysts. But I was very calm about it and played down the fact that I was having a lump investigated, but I think that was largely to do with the fact that my daughter was about to go travelling for up to 2 years, starting with a month in the middle of a jungle, so I didn’t want to send her off worried, especially as I wouldn’t know anything for certain until she’d have departed. Great timing! At the end of the first consultation, after mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies, it was clear they thought it was cancer but I wanted to know all the results before saying anything to anyone apart from my husband.  
Anyway, I’m nearly 2 years on now, had lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy (thankfully clear), radiotherapy and ongoing hormone treatment (Anastrozole). 
I agree with other comments re the waiting - it’s a horrible sort of limbo. Like you I kept busy with work, and actually didn’t check the lumpy area much because it hurt after the biopsies! You’ll get to Tuesday evening and then at last you’ll know a bit more. In the meantime we’re all here with you. Sending love and a big but gentle hug, HFxx

Hi Happy feet.

Thank you for your lovely message and sorry to hear about your mum. You certainly sound like you have been through it but so glad your on the mend now. I just want tomorrow to be over with and I'm hoping for the best possible outcome. It doesn't feel like a single cyst so I'm just hoping it's a cluster of them or something or maybe I'm just over thinking. This time tomorrow I will know one way or the other then hopefully I can get some sleep because that has been the thing I've been struggling with for the last week. I will let you know how I get on.

Take care x

Hi Ladies.

Just back from breast clinic. Saw the consultant first and because I had already had a mammogram in March for another cyst and he thought on checkimg it was 2 cysts side by side that I should have an ultra sound and if that was the case then great I would be on my merry way. 

So saw the radiographer who as soon as she put the scanner thing on she said she needs a biopsy. She then asked who did my.last scan and I said she did :) so she said she will try and drain it first then and that seemed to work. The concern was that cysts are generally round and this one was. Funny shape. So I still had to have a mammogram and go back into her to check it was gone. She said she wanted to do a biopsy to be safe as this is growing back tp fast and something may be setting it off. So she did that and put a clip in. Then had another mammogram and saw the consultant. He said if all ok he will give me a phone call in 2 weeks if not he will see me again. So fingers crossed she was just being cautious xx

Hi 50Something, glad you’ve had your appointment, does sound like they’re being very thorough which is good. It’s encouraging that they’re still unsure; when I had my clinic appointment they were in no doubt that mine was cancer after the mammogram and ultrasound. The biopsies were just to check the nature of the beast ie hormone receptive etc.
Years ago when I had a different lump (same breast), which turned out to be a fibroadenoma, all the initial tests and scans, including a core biopsy, were inconclusive. It had to be removed to prove its innocence. 
Hope you hear before 2 weeks that all is ok. Sorry you don’t yet know for sure but it’s good they’re being cautious. Gentle hugs, HFxx

Good afternoon Happy feet.

Thankyou for your message and hugs xx

I was in the same mind as you they are being thorough and all will be fine until this morning the consultants secretary phoned me and said she had to make me an appointment for Tuesday at 2.30 she caught me right off guard as didn't expect anything back so soon. I didnt ask her anything I have since tried to call her back but have just got a voicemail so I guess I'm just going to have to try and not think the worse and wait until Tuesday. I hope your having a good day and doing well xx

Hi 50something.

my journey was also cysts which started 3 years ago. Then during lockdown I was checking and wasn’t sure whether it felt different or not. Anyway I got an appointment thinking it’ll be fine and it wasn’t. My point is that they caught it early not that this will be your story. 
trust news is good 

Hi Eyesup.

Thank you for your message im trying to stay positive but as I only had the appointment Tuesday evening and they rang me this morning I am worrying a bit. Anyway I hope you are as well as you can be. How are you getting on?xx

It must be worrying. I totally understand.  But try and focus on something else.  You can’t change anything right now by worrying.  You’ll only imagine stuff that might not happen.  My motto has been one day at a time. 
im recovering from surgery. Caught it early so grateful for that. Waiting on pathology results and lymph node tests.

stay strong and just focus one day at a time.   Do you have family and support?