Going in for Diagnostic Testing on Tuesday

Cavanor

Hello forum,

I am new here and am trying to find my way through this process.

A week and a half ago, I found a pea size, painless, immobile lump on my right armpit. I had never found any lumps before and had a breast exam done this winter. Both my sister-in-law and mother-in-law are positive for the BRCA1 gene and my SIL has gone through two bouts of breast cancer. So I talked to them and agreed to make a doctor's appointment.

My doctor got me in immediately but of course, I started Googling for information. I then found out that the occasional spontaneous nipple discharge that I'd been experiencing off and on for a year wasn't normal. Clear fluid on the left side and white/milky fluid on two ducts on the right that is visible at all times. I practiced extending nursing with all three of my children so hadn't realized that occasional discharge wasn't normal.

Even more concerned, I reached out to family members for history of cancer. I had never thought there was; both sides of my family are reluctant to share any info. I found that my paternal grandfather and uncle both had prostate and my father is currently being tested. My maternal grandfather died from esophageal.

At my appointment, they confirmed the bilateral spontaneous discharge and that it was indeed an axillary node causing the lump. They then referred me to the Breast Cancer Care Center for diagnostic testing.

I go in on Tuesday for a mammogram of both sides and an ultrasound of the right. Plus she checked the boxes to biopsy, MRI, and consult as needed.

Tuesday is my oldest daughter's 13th birthday and I am only 39. I have very little support locally, my husband and I were on the verge of divorce, and am currently unemployed (but have insurance through husband's job).

I'm scared. Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

reflect

Oh Cavanor, here is a big (((((hug)))))) for you. The waiting is always the most difficult of anything. My advice is to throw yourself into your daughter's birthday coming up and try to focus on that. Don't Google, and breathe, watch favorite movies, buy some nice flowers and stick your nose in them. Tuesday may bring no answers yet, and more tests, but eventually you will get answers. If it is cancer, you will get a plan going and you'll feel better. If it isn't cancer, hooray, off you go. It sounds like your doc is doing all the right things. Hang in there!

Cavanor

Thank you, I appreciate the advice.

I have been feeling pretty awful and destined recently so it's hard to summon the energy to do much.

She also knows that the testing is on her birthday and so I feel incredibly guilty. I'm trying hard to not sink into a pity party.

djmammo

Cavanor

While you are waiting keep these statistics in mind :

The discharge that concerns us is unilateral, from one duct and bloody not white and bilateral coming from more than one duct, and only occasionally is there a problem when its clear. Even when bloody its usually a benign papilloma inside the duct.

Just because you can feel a lymph node under your arm does not mean its abnormal and even if it is abnormal there are many benign reasons for that especially if no lump is felt in the breast on exam. An ultrasound can tell the difference between normal and abnormal lymph nodes regardless of size.

Less Googling, more birthday partying.

Yogatyme

Cavenor I had discharge from both breasts beginning in my early 20's and my pituitary gland was tested with no significant findings. This continued for me until menopause ( I never breastfed). My sister and her daughter have the same thing, also nothing abnormal in their testing. We are all BRCA1+ but I am the only one dxed w breast cancer and I was 68 at time of diagnosis and had not had nipple discharge since starting menopause in my early 50's. So, it is likely that this is nothing to be concerned about but it is good you are having it checked. Celebrate with your daughter and enjoy her birthday!! Let us know what you learn!

Cavanor

Yogatyme,

Thank you. I know that it is likely nothing but it was enough to warrant a thorough follow-up. I also know that I shouldn't have played Dr. Google but the things I found that I didn't know before (the fact that discharge from nipples wasn't to be expected) and the family history that I hadn't known really has thrown me for a loop.

This whole situation is prompting a reassment of my health and future medical outlook. It's definitely a wake up call.

reflect

Hi Cavanor, hope you are doing better today. My favorite Dalai Lama quote: There is no need to worry. If you can do something about the situation, there is no need to worry. If you cannot do anything about the situation, there is no need to worry.

Hang in there.