Golf Ball Sized Lump

Hope4Life

Hi, all.  I am new here and thank God that I have found this site!  I am scared to death and just need someone to talk to!  Last year was a rough one!  My mome was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have surgery - while we were waiting on her surgery I had a momogram and they found calsifications, they did a second and then a biopsy and said it was not cancer... however - I had major pain in and under the left arm and into the left breast (the one they biopsied) prior to the biopsy and still do! (The biopsy was in June.) 

    I kept getting sicker and went trhough some other major illnesses with other family members... the doctors could not find what was wrong with me - I have had 3 MRI's (on diffrent parts of my body) - 3 CT scans, nerve condution tests about a dozen x-rays - and still with pain on the left side, major headaches and leg aches and pains in my neck and back ...they could find nothing - they decided it was stress!  I am at a point where I can't even grocery shop - I can't eat or sleep and have lost 20 pounds in the past 6 months!

    I developed an odd stabbing pain under my left rib and it is itchy and numb - so they sent me to a GI doctor who has put me on antibiotis and such - this was last week... Well, New Years day I woke up and got in the tub and found I had a golf ball sized lump in my "RIGHT" breast! (Just above and under the nipple)... I panicked!

    Went to my gnyo on Friday and he is sending me to get another mamo on Wedensday and wants me to see a breast surgeon...  While there he did a pap smear - as my last one came back questionable and I started bleading massivly after the test... they did an immediate ultrasound and now want me to have a biopsy of the uturous on Tuesday (they found a mass)...

    I am falling apart... I don't know what to think or do!  I am 45 and have 2 grown kids, but I also have a 12 year old that I want to be around to see grow up!  I am so scared and sick and don't know how I am going to get though this! 

succulent

You must be extremely scared right now!.  I am younger than you and due to having cancer at 31 have not yet been blessed with family so my help will be more factual and emotional than what other women could give you.  My stron advice is to be absolutely sure of the doctor representing you and if there are any doubts at all then change.  Although I am guided by doctors I am a tough cookie and question EVERYTHING!.  Make sure you research all of what you describe above and be armed with what to do.  If you want action then demand it,  go private if you can afford it and demand appointments immediately to help aleviate your fears.

I have no doubt that something is not right but it could very much be increased by the stress and fears you have for what your mother is going through so relax and try to remember that an extra day or week with not change anything that is happening now....that is a fact so there is no point getting yourself into a state...try hard to think positive and just take some time out for you at this time.

There was no history of Breast Cancer or any type of Cancer in my entire family until my diagnosis and I am a grandchild of 28 (my mum is from a family of 10 kids) ,  my dads side even more!.  There is no explanation for his disease,  all I can reiterate to you is that YOU know your body, women have a sixth sense of how it feels,  listen to yourself and demand to get some answers.

I hope this email helps.

Take care and a huge hig from me x

Hope4Life

Thank you, my friend... just having someone to listen has helped me more than you will ever know!

Hugs  

Anonymous

Hope: I agree with succulent's advice. Don't let a day or two more deter you from getting advice from a doctor you trust. Ask a lot of questions and don't be afraid of taking up too much of the doctor's time. They are there for YOU. We are also. Please keep us posted. I will say a prayer for you each day until we hear more.

TenderIsOurMight

Glad you followed right up with your gynecologist and are planning to see a breast surgeon.. My what a tough year in 2008; may 2009 be better for you. Glad you found this forum. 

Tender 

Mahomet_mom

Dear Hope,

I suggest trying to take a very deep breath and letting the fear go, over and over.... Then make a list of questions and bring someone with you to the appointments.  Ask for a printed copy of the test results that have been done, the biopsy results, any labs, various scans etc.  Then ask the doctor(s) to interpret these for you.   

In my case, not knowing what is going on just fuels the anxiety.  There is so much information available about diseases/conditions that it is hard to rein in your fears until there are some definites.  Then you can focus, fight, plan.

You will get through this because you are a tough gal. And you have a lot of support here.  Take care...let us know how this unfolds.