Need some encouragement

LindaFL

I need some support. I've had weird things going on with my left breast for over a month now. Swelled up like a cyst, then went down but stuck around, then felt like fluid filled sack and got smaller, and then one day it was feeling way smaller and I was poking and prodding and it swelled up in a band across my breast and hurt like hell. Finally got in to see a doc last week, who said it didn't feel like anything scary but sent me for 3D mammo and ultrasound. Had that today. Doc said that there are three spots they looked at. Two he thinks are fibroadenomas (apparently, I have fibrocystic dense breasts) and said he would normally just monitor. The other spot, in the are that I just thought I injured due to poking around there...the place that hurt...he said is not a cyst and his best guess is that it's a "bit of cancer." Have biopsy scheduled for Friday, and he's going to biopsy all 3 because he said if the spot he's worried about is something, the surgeon will want to know for sure that those other two are benign.

I'm so scared. I'm 47 and am a single mother to a 12 year old. I adopted him, so no father in the picture. And to make it worse, I'm currently unemployed. Was laid off last year. I am pretty sure I have a job offer coming tomorrow but now all this came up. My mom had bc about 18 years ago now, stage 2, and is absolutely fine. I know they've come a long way with treatment, but I am still scared to death.

I need some words of encouragement really badly. I've been crying nonstop since my appointment this morning. I have a fear of doctors and medical stuff to begin with and high anxiety when it comes to medical issues.

Hopeful82014

Dear Linda - I'm so very sorry you're going through this, and particularly at a time when you probably thought things might be looking up with a new job possibly in the offing.

Can you call your PCP and ask for a prescription for some Ativan? It can be extremely helpful in getting through some of these moments. Believe me, there are few women here who haven't used it at one point or another in the process of diagnosis and treatment. And with the possibility of getting a job offer (let's hope!) you want to be as much on top of things as possible which is not likely if you're not sleeping, worn to a frazzle, etc.

Is your mom anywhere near by that she can support you through this, or perhaps a dear friend or close relative? That, too, can make a huge difference.

Try not to let your mind get too far ahead of you at this point - although I rally do know just how difficult that is. There's no need to be a pollyanna. Just try not to go to a worst case scenario until you have to. IF it is malignant, please know that there is an entire community here to support you throughout the process.Please do keep us posted and do come here with any questions, needs, and concerns. We are here for you.

Moderators

Welcome, LindaF. Sorry you are here and worried, but glad that you've found this wonderful community to come and vent while you wait. Hang in there, and let us know how it all goes. We're sending you lots of ((((hugs))))

The Mods