I've just found a lump in my breast

crutches

ember ,i had a lump a few months ago.terrifying.I went to the clinic and they were so caring at the hospital.I had an examination and an ultrasound.I have a milkfilled cyst(galactocele) which will hopefully go when i finish breastfeeding.If not i go back to drain it.
Having been once I would be less worried in future.It was really interesting to see the inside of my breasts on screen!The clinic is great for REASSURANCE and if by any small chance something is wrong they are experts and can help you.Good luck to you.
i'll think of you on the 13th and send positive vibes.

MrsMW

Hi Ember
I've only just seen this, nothing to add to all the good advice but just to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. xx

Iona_Penny

Hi today Ember

Only manage to get on here late night at the moment. Hope in some way you feel a litle less panicked about everything, although the feeling of dread will not go until you have been to the hospital.

Please dont spend your money and go privately. Yes I do work for the NHS and there are some things they do poorly (non-urgent surgery and associated lists) but there are some things they do well and this is one.

You wondered why you will see a 'surgeon' when it may well only be a cyst ( by the way there are other benign conditions that will not be a cyst) well when we get a clinic outpatient appt. it is for the conultant who specialise is whatever field is under investigation. They will perform surgery in that field but they and their team see you from day one. This is just routine and not anything unusual for you.

Oh, and by the way just a point of interest for all, 'fine needle ' tests do not always have to be done under ultrasound guidance. An experienced clinician can do them by direct feel.

Ember999

I have had a bad night. I really needed to talk to someone. I phoned the Samaritans, how sad is that. The only people who currently know about this lump is my husband, my Doctor, the woman who phoned with the cancellation appointment at the Hospital this morning and me. I haven't told another living soul. I even turned the phone off most of this evening in case his mother phoned - to chat about the house move next week etc. I needed to talk and guess what? it was a man answered the phone. I asked if there was a woman I could talk to but apparently the woman in the office was dealing with another 'client' as he called us. I was silent for a good few minutes as I didn't want to talk to a man. It's so personal. I ended up pouring it all out, 45 minutes later.....I noticed the time. I'm not sure it helped, but at least someone listened to me. Not sure I will sleep much tonight.

Ember999

Iona_Penny wrote:

Hi today Ember

Only manage to get on here late night at the moment. Hope in some way you feel a litle less panicked about everything, although the feeling of dread will not go until you have been to the hospital.

Please dont spend your money and go privately. Yes I do work for the NHS and there are some things they do poorly (non-urgent surgery and associated lists) but there are some things they do well and this is one.

You wondered why you will see a 'surgeon' when it may well only be a cyst ( by the way there are other benign conditions that will not be a cyst) well when we get a clinic outpatient appt. it is for the conultant who specialise is whatever field is under investigation. They will perform surgery in that field but they and their team see you from day one. This is just routine and not anything unusual for you.

Oh, and by the way just a point of interest for all, 'fine needle ' tests do not always have to be done under ultrasound guidance. An experienced clinician can do them by direct feel.

I am going with the NHS Iona, the appointment is next tuesday and I have spoken to several people on here and from the advice given, I am going with the NHS. The needled part is very worrying. Someone mentioned that it is exceedingly painful. I am dreading all of it, but if I leave that Hospital next tuesday and all it is is a harmless cyst I will be happy to suffer the pain and humiliation that I am to face. Thank You for your informative and helpful post.

Gingham_Ribbon

I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. Is there no one else you can talk to that you know and trust? The way you're feeling, Tuesday seems such a long way off so you must try to get some more support if you can before then. The samaritans was a good move. Well done! The charity Bacup may be of some help? They sent me some literature when I was worried about an abnormal smear and were very kind on the phone. They were very clear that it wasn't cancer but at 21, I was worried. They may be able to offer you similar comfort.

I'm going to have to go off line now, but I'll be thinking of you. Keep strong. x

Iona_Penny

Why oh why do people feel the need to tell how 'painful' it was for them to someone who needs reassurance.

I can honestly say ( and I work in the room where the needle test is done) that 99% of people say it was so much better than they were expecting.

Admittedly I can only speak for 'my' doctors but they have had so much experience they are ace at doing the direct feel fna s. If you have ever had a blood test it is just a similar thing. Hang on in there.

Make sure you take someone with you who will be a calming presence and do allow plenty of time for the session.

Sofa_Sogood

Ember999 wrote:

I am going with the NHS Iona, the appointment is next tuesday and I have spoken to several people on here and from the advice given, I am going with the NHS. The needled part is very worrying. Someone mentioned that it is exceedingly painful. I am dreading all of it, but if I leave that Hospital next tuesday and all it is is a harmless cyst I will be happy to suffer the pain and humiliation that I am to face. Thank You for your informative and helpful post.

The pain won't be anything like you'd ever imagine Ember. Believe me please?.

From friends I've known that have had this procedure done, well, they weren't jumping with joy, but it's like toothache - it goes away given the right people and equipment.

I had an ovarian cyst. One of a few, but unfortunately, the "walnut" shaped thing grew bigger and bigger, whilst waiting to be seen.

By the time I'd seen a specialist, it was approximately 7lb's in weight.

When it was removed - and I looked more pregnant than I ever had when I was pregnant, it was between 7 and 10lb's. I never did find out the real weight, because some doctors worked in pounds and ounces. Others in kilos.

But it was huge Ember, and although I waited a bit too long for my liking, I was seen to relatively quickly.

In the back of my mind was what's in the back of your mind I think? "Is it cancer" .... "Will it ever be cancerous?" "Am I going to die"?

It's soul-destroying.

I put my life (as I knew it), in the faith of NHS doctors and specialists.

And I was treated like royalty.

I had an eminent professor waiting as I had the M.R.I. scan. She was fantastic, yet I didn't meet her, well not while I was conscious

My treatment was as good as it gets - and all free. And final. Clean bill of health, regarding that

I hope that helps a bit?

You'll be looked after, of that there's no doubt.

And if the Samaritans help - go for it

But don't give up, or get depressed about it all. It's a hindrance to recovery.

I sincerely hope that you get out of this frame of mind, (not easy as I know), and get some rest and relaxation?

Good luck. It's not much fun - as others have testified.

Take care and keep your chin up? xxx

P.S. I doubt there'll be any humiliation either ...

Sofa_Sogood

Iona_Penny wrote:

Why oh why do people feel the need to tell how 'painful' it was for them to someone who needs reassurance.

From my experiences Iona, a lot of medical procedures can be painful. But luckily, there's so much pain relief it's practically pain-free anyway.

Thanks

crutches

calling the samaritans wasn't sad,it was sensible!You are showing strength in looking after yrself.