Waiting and worried

Buckeye86

hello, this is my first post so I’d like to share my story. So I hadn’t been feeling well, bad cold or whatever, and a couple mornings I woke up and my armpit area felt tender but nothing too bad so I ignored it. On Nov. 15 I was feeling really crappy and my armpit area really hurt, I couldn’t lie on my right side because of it. I felt around my armpit and thought I felt a hard lump so I called my doctor’s office. Also, because I searched the web and I wasn’t feeling well I convinced myself it was just an infection and didn’t even think to check my breast. That was until the nurse on the phone asked me to confirm that there was a lump and for some reason I decided to check the armpit and breast. Sure enough, with very little effort, I felt a lump in my right breast. That’s when the worry kicked in! I went to the doctor and he confirmed I had a right breast mass and a right Axillary mass. That’s when he told me he wouldn’t prescribe me antibiotics but was referring me for a diagnostic mammogram and to the breast clinic. More worry kicked in! So I made the other appointments and I’ll be getting an ultrasound on Nov. 29th and going to the breast clinic a few days later. The armpit pain is pretty much gone but masses are still very much there. There are no issues on my left side. Family history consist of both grandmothers and an aunt having breast cancer, 1 grandma and my aunt were under the age of 40 like myself. This waiting game is so hard! I go back and forth with convincing myself I do have cancer to that I don’t have it. UGH! I just want to know

ElaineTherese

Hi!

Yes, waiting is hard but you've done the right thing. You're having your lumps checked out; that's the best you can do. Until then, just try to keep busy. ((Hugs))

Moderators

We all really get how hard the waiting game is . As Elaine says, try to keep busy and fill your worry with other things, best as you can. We're here for you.

unicornhorns

hello and welcome!

I can relate to the waiting game yoyo one minute I'm convinced it's nothing, another minute I'm planning my will. Im glad you posted, as you and I have a couple things in common. I also have a diagnostic mammogram scheduled next week (Nov 26). I have an axillary mass in my right side.

I'm feeling annoyed with myself for not getting this checked out sooner. I've had a few lipomas (benign fat lumps) throughout my life so I just assumed this was another one (and it still could be). I went to the doctor for another issue and causally mentioned, “looks like I have another annoying lipoma." My doctor was way more serious and concerned. And here we are.

My mother just finished infusion treatment for BC 4 days ago. She’ll be taking a pill daily and getting check ups, but for the most part she is fully recovered. Her experience was so much better than I ever ever imagined it could be. So it does bring me comfort to know if this thing is malignant, treatment has come a long way and there are so many helpful resources especially this BC community forum.

Please keep us posted on your progress. This entire community is here for you and is an amazing source of information and support!

CaliKelly

I'm glad you are both getting your lumps checked out! Usually enlarged or swollen lymph nodes are just indication of infection but you both( unicorn, and buckeye) have bc in your family line, so you have to make sure! Just remember, if it turns out to be cancer, it's all very treatable now!I had pretty advanced cancer and I'm doing GREAT after all my treatments. Cancer free and back to pretty much normal life. So even assuming the worst, you can do it! Best wishes for good news!💖

unicornhorns

thanks Calikelly! 😊 Congratulations on getting through it and feeling great. I love to hear stories like yours ❤️

djmammo

"Congratulations on getting through it and feeling great. I love to hear stories like yours"

If there isn't one already, perhaps their needs to be a subsection of good stories like this one in this Forum. Might be uplifting to new members.

Buckeye86

Thanks for all the replies. Even though I wouldn’t wish for anyone to be in the same boat as me, it is comforting to know I’m not alone in this. I agree about the section for good stories... I’ve been searching the forum and the web for just that. 😊

As for me, I’ve been trying to stay busy and focus on other things but of course my thoughts keep going back to do I or don’t I have cancer? I’m just ready for it to be the 29th already. If cancer is the next chapter of my life, then let’s get it started and done and over with. If it’s not then I just want to move on with my life and away from this worry. Even if it’s not, the lesson I’ll take away from all this is the importance of self exams and keeping up with check ups. Anyway, take care everyone and hang in there! 🤗

CaliKelly

The waiting is the worst part! Keep trying to stay busy, like by watching Ohio State beat Michigan!😃. Sorry to anyone from Michigan. My husband is from Ohio, so I'm familiar with Buckeyes. I even make them😉

Snowchick

Omg! I smelled chocolate and here I am! Those look divine! *drooling*

Buckeye86, agreed! The waiting and not knowing are the worst, and unfortunately our own fears can really run rampant. Keep busy if you can, find time to do things that make you happy. You are not alone! ❤ Sending peace and benign wishes to you!

Buckeye86

Unicornhorns, how did your appointment go?

Buckeye86

well... my appointment wasn’t that great. Started with the ultrasound then I’m told they want me to get the mammogram done. After that I’m asked if I had anyone with me and that we’re going to call and talk to the Dr. doctor tells me I have a couple of solid masses and they’d like me to get a biopsy done on both that day. Anyway... the official results are not in yet from the biopsy but the Radiologist highly suspects cancer 😭💔.... I haven’t actually really cried yet.... idk what I feel really...maybe when it’s truly official I will...idk... but Radiologist seemed pretty sure

christina0001

I'm sorry, I know how terrifying those kinds of moments are. I hope you get definite answers very soon. The not knowing is brutal. *hugs* Whatever happens, have faith that you are strong and will overcome anything!

Buckeye86

it’s been confirmed by biopsy results... both the breast and lymph node tested positive for cancer...

I know it’s ER+/PR+ but they have to run some “fish” test or something to figure out if it’s her2+.....

I’m getting genetic testing done on Wednesday and they’re working on scheduling a PET scan as well...

Guess I’ll have to move to the newly diagnosed part of this website

---

JosieO

Buckeye,

Oh, I am very sorry...but I know that cancer is a very treatable disease. There are so many approaches and tools that it is something that can be managed with good doctors and good treatment plans. I was so tired of waiting for a diagnosis that when I did get confirmation, I was actually glad to know and to start defining a treatment plan.

Take your time, make sure everything is thoroughly explained to you, and don’t get discouraged. I drew my confidence from my awesome team of doctors, and I knew that I could come to these forums, ask a question, and get an answer. I knew that people cared.

Look ahead to the execution of your treatment plan, and know that we will be here for you.

Wishing you the best