Hi,
This is going to be a bit of an essay but I am going to share my experience since finding a lump on my right breast on March 26th. At the time I thought ooh that doesn’t feel right. I figured it was probably nothing but best get it checked out. I went to my GP and after examining she said it felt moveable and was very likely a cyst but because it was a lump she would have to refer me to the breast clinic where they would do a scan & I would get the results while there . So I thought all good it’s just a cyst.
I attended the Clinic on Wednesday and they explained that I would have an examination, mammogram & scan. On examination the consultant also said it felt like a cyst and that they would drain it if it was but she also felt a tiny lump under arm. At this point I still wasn’t worried & thought I was wasting everyone’s time being there & they would soon send me on my merry way.
Mammogram done and onto the scan. This is where things took a turn, I could see a dark area on the screen within my breast and the scan seemed to be taking ages, going over my breast and under my arm over & over. I asked if it was solid and she said it was and that she was going to do a biopsy of the lump and an axillary lymph node. After this I was told to go off and get a coffee and come back in an hour for results.
At this point I was getting worried but kept telling myself it’ll be fine. I was called back in after an hour and a half to see the consultant and there was also a nurse present. It came as a complete shock to the system when the consultant said that there were cancer cells present in the lymph node and she would be referring me to get a CT Scan & together with the results of that and the full biopsy I would have to see her again in a couple of weeks when they know what type of cancer it is to discuss a treatment plan.
A what! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, I came in with a perfectly normal cyst and I was leaving with cancer. I have been in a daze, I don’t know how I managed to get through work the past 2 days. Trying to let it sink in whilst waiting for a phone call with an appointment for CT scan and worrying about what the full results will show. I’ve read a few posts in this forum about waiting on results and it seems that most agree the waiting is the worst part. One minute I’m thinking maybe I misheard or they got it wrong and the next I’m thinking what if has spread everywhere.
I am 45 years old and have a 14 yr old and 3 yr old, the worst part is thinking of them and how this will affect them. My husband is being as supportive as he can be so I’m very lucky that way. I’m trying to be as positive as I can but really struggling mentally at the moment. This forum helped a bit, so many people sharing there experiences and offering support.
It’s definitely the worst part, the diagnosis and the waiting game. I too went in convinced of a cyst as were they and walked out with a cancer diagnosis with more unknown than known.
The best thing you can do for yourself at the moment is:
stay off google
Do things and spend time with people that make you feel good
Not over think
Get outside in the air and the light
All will settle for you a bit more once you know more facts and have a treatment plan. There is so much support on here from us all travelling this journey.
We are all behind each other and that includes you 
.
Jan x
