30 and not sure whats next for me...

hmflah

I just turned 30 in October. I know I should have been doing self exams for awhile now, but I didn't. I was never even explained what I was supposed to feel for, nor did I know what a normal feeling breast was supposed to feel like. Well, after reading a little and testing, I understand what is supposed to be there. But then I discovered that there were things that were not.

In 2005 I had my daughter who is now 7. At the time I had a cyst near the crease of my left arm/chest by the armpit area. It became inflamed and swollen and I saw the Dr. about it. They ended up removing part of it, but didn't remove all of it, I think in part because it was an inexperienced new med Dr. at the AF base. Well fast forward 4 years and that spot was very bumpy, uneven, and painful. Thinking back on it, I don't believe anyone ever tested the tissue. But I saw a plastic surgeon to have the rest of it removed. He did not test it as he probably assumed it was tested before, plus I was young, and said it was a cyst as previously explained from the other Dr.

Currently my left breast holds a lump that I felt after I was having a lingering pain in that side. My left armpit is somewhat lumpy, but painful and when I went to the new dr. I have (she is way better!) she told me she felt lumps on both sides and more on the right than the left. She seemed concerned and said she wanted me to have a mammogram to see what it could be. I'm so concerned because my mother had and continues to have calcification's, when I was a toddler (after talking with her) she underwent a lumpectomy? where they take out the lump? (I'm still new with the verb age) Anyway, I'm so scared and afraid that I should have advocated 5 years ago when I had that to ensure I was going to be OK. Now i'm wondering, am I in trouble, do I have breast cancer? I am trying to see if anyone else has had the same painful issues, but of course most of the stuff I am reading is scary. If anyone can give me some sort of idea of if this is maybe something else or has had a similar experience going either way, good or bad, I would like to know.

Knowing is half the battle.

Thanks,