New lump…did you know it was something more?

aseal321

I’ve had what I like to call “busy beasts” for years…lots snd lots of cysts and scares and testing since I was 28 (almost 43 now).

A couple years back they found a fibroadenoma in my right breast, biopsied, watched me at 90 day intervals because the mass had changed a bit and they lost the pin, but were ok to let it be and my last mammo is coming up mid November.

I am in testing to donate my kidney to my sis in law so I’m eager to get off the watch list and move on. I’m a match but I can’t have surgery until I get the all clear.

Fast forward to this weekend, I found a big lump in my left breast by doing an exam in the shower, and it feels different…like I felt it and I cried. Weird reaction I know, considering I have a ton of lumps, but this startled me and I said no, alou to myself while I felt that thing. For some reason I just got scared, can’t explain it, just an “oh shit” reaction. Sorry but that’s the only way to describe it. I had my daughter and my husband check it and they both said, that’s big call the dr.

I messaged my dr and she emailed tonight and sent in the orders for an US and mammo to be scheduled ASAP. I love her. She doesn’t mess around with this at all. She checked and said the left breast was checked a year ago and nothing was found (other than my normal circulating cysts), the right breast (biopsy) has been the focus but it seems the left wants to join the party.

The fibroadenoma was found routine, and I barely feel it, it’s deep and sitting right next to my nipple and I had no idea there was anything happening.

But this thing is sitting on the side of the breast, it’s not round, it’s a good inch long and I’d say about an inch wide, and its not round more almond and thick. Like I can hold it my fingers.

I’ve had two biopsy procedures for lymph nodes (non breast related) and this feels even different from that.

So of course my brain is on fire and I need some good thoughts because I’m actually scared, not nervous, not curious, just plain scared.

I'm stressed and I have this funny thing in my stomach that I can't shake.

Did you know when you found the lump that changed everything, that it was something more?

Lindsjammom

Wow... your story is so close to mine. I am sorry that I do not have any advice for you, but I am currently in a very similiar situtation. I am 42, I have had different breast lumps since I was 19. I have been through multiple diagnostic mammos, ultrasounds and biopsies. I have very dense breasts, breast cysts and fibroadenomas.

My most recent one was 6 months ago on my right side, I didn't feel it, but it popped up on my mammogram, I had a biopsy, it was a fibroadenoma and they are watching it. Going back in for my 6 month check up soon.

Fast forward to right now, I found a large lump right next to my nipple on my left breast. It also feels very big and I have pain radiating from under my armpit over the top of this breast (like in my lymph nodes). This one also feels different to me which led me to this forum yesterday, because I am scared too.

I can see by the time you wrote this message, that anxiety is probably keeping you up. I will send positive thoughts your way, and I hope you get answers soon and everything turns out ok for you and your sis-in-law, You are such a blessing to be considering donating your kidney. Although I don't have answers yet, I will keep you posted of how it turns out for me.

aseal321

woah…that is eerily similar!

I have an ultrasound and mammo this Wednesday (10/20/21) so I’ll know soon if this is something different and I really need to stress. You’re right about the no sleep, the anxiety is super high unfortunately and it’s one of those things where you say, you’re fine stop stressing and then your mind just keeps circling. We actually measured it with a soft tape fo sewing and it’s 2 inches long and 1 inch wide and pretty hard, like I can hold it if that makes sense but then it feels deep. I have cysts all over, the fibro, and something that looks like “popcorn” in the center of my chest but I can’t even feel those. This one though~It’s very different.

Please keep in touch! I hope all is well and we both just have some very good luck!!!

LivinLife

Welcome aseal and Linds! just sending support and gentle hugs.... Please let us know once you have more information.... the waiting is soooo difficult!

aseal321

thank you so much LivInLife…Wednesday can’t come soon enough!

Are you able to share how you were diagnosed…did the dr find it, or did you? I apologize in advance if that’s too personal and understand if you don’t feel comfy sharing. I’m just very curious if you found something that was alarming or if it was found by testing?

mle42

Hi Aseal, I was diagnosed after finding a lump myself, it felt like a grape inside my boob - that shape, size, and firmness. You said you had an “oh shit” reaction, my first thought was “what the f*ck!”

At first I was totally sure it was a cyst, because it showed up so suddenly, I had an “all good” mammogram just 6 months prior, and I was only 40, for crying out loud! But I got in for an ultrasound that week, and as soon as the tech came back in the room after consulting the radiologist, with THAT look on her face, and said the Dr wants to schedule you for a biopsy…… that’s when the shoe started to drop for me.

I VERY MUCH hope that your feeling is wrong and your lump is totally benign. I’m sure you know there are WAY more benign breast lumps than malignant ones. But I’m glad you’re getting it checked out quickly, and I’ll be sending good thoughts your way this Wednesday!

Emily

aseal321

mle42

thank you! That kind of hit me in the gut a bit and I cried, I know that sounds super crazy but I’m legitimately nervous. Not your fault of course snd thank you for sharing!!! I can see that whole appointment play out and I’m so sorry you’re going through any of this 😞 how are you doing now? This looks very fresh for you based on the dates

I’m just that uneasy about this thing I found. And I just had testing in August and my next mammo was already scheduled for 11/15/21. I’m used to the, we need more views, let me talk to the radiologist, ok turn this way, ok we’re comfortable waiting, see you in 90 days. I am so thankful to get in and get this looked at but the wait truly sucks

LivinLife

I had a call back about 1 1/2 years prior to the diagnosis after my regular mammogram. I did not feel a lump or anything. I had several call backs on different areas on the other breast, along with two biopsies so at the point of this most recent concern it kind of felt like crying wolf - it was hard for me to take seriously and a 3rd sibling was dying of cancer and I was making frequent trips in (4 hours one way) to spend time with her nearly weekly. So they told me they could biopsy and I chose monitoring. Then 6 months later they wanted to biopsy. It was weeks before my sister died and she was fairly ill so I opted to monitor another 6 months. Then that March 2020 appointment was canceled due to COVID - which "just hit" so I couldn't get back in until late June. Biopsy in early July, phone call July 21 while I was out of state for another appointment and just leaving that medical center from home (4 hour drive)!!! It was kind of a nightmare at that point - I had no information about what it was and didn't even know enough to know what questions to ask. OBGYN just said breast cancer and that I would need surgery, radiation and possibly chemo (they suspected invasion). Then the whirlwind hit for the next 7 or 8 weeks (surgery 8/31) and then everything just kind of stopped all at once.... it was so anticlimactic.... I did end up with cording which extended my recovery though after the first few weeks or recovery from surgery things just continued improving except for the development of cording.....

Lindsjammom

Thank you LivinLife and mle42 for sharing your stories. Aseal321 please keep us updated on your visit tomorrow. I really hope you get good news!

My visit is this Thursday the 21st and I’ve been so anxious this time around too. I just had a mammo 6 months ago and was told the left breast had no areas of concern so to find a lump this soon was shocking. I actually almost didn’t want to go in because I too felt like “crying wolf” but my obgyn felt it and said to go. I know all situations are different and most lumps are benign, but it’s overtaking my thoughts this time.

aseal321

lindsjammom

I totally get it and I’m so glad you’re getting in so quickly! I am heading to my appt in an hour and I’m super tense but I told my husband, I’ve never been so excited for a drs appt in my life…except for my baby appointments ❤️

I’ll check in later and please keep in touch! Sending you well wishes!!!

mle42

Aseal, good luck today! I'm crossing all my bits that you get a BENIGN result! You asked how I'm doing.... my last chemo treatment was Sept 15, and I honestly feel great right now. Strong and ready for surgery next week! I'm sorry my story hit you hard, but I hope you know that whatever this turns out to be, you will get through it. I won't pretend the past few months have been fun, but there have been times of joy and wellbeing all throughout.

Lindsjammon, same good luck and best wishes for your tests tomorrow!!

aseal321

Benign 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

2 cm cyst with 3 cysts attached, which caused that lump to feel so scary.

They checked the area in August so it’s new and they offered to aspirate or remove if I have pain. But I don’t have pain and I’m just going to leave it be.

Thank you for all the support!!! I go back in November (next mth) for the fibro check hopefully it’s stable and I’m released off the watch list so I can get have the kidney surgery!!!

lindsjammom please keep us posted!

mle42 I am so glad you feel strong and ok considering. I think the mental part of this is rough, and being physically strong helps so much. And I pray those times of joy never end!!!

harpreet

take care we are here for you

Lindsjammom

aseal321 I am so happy to hear your good news! Hopefully everything looks stable in November as well.

I’ll keep you updated after tomorrow.

mle42

woohoo!!! Aseal, that is fantastic news!

Lindsjammom

So I received mostly good news today. The lump in my breast is another cluster of cysts, othing concerning and just another thing to add to the watchlist. The lump and pain in my armpit is not due to a lymph node. They do see swelling and elongation in my vessel and have referred me to have a vascular ultrasound to make sure nothing else is going on such as a blood clot.

So I definitely feel relief that it's not cancer, and I will follow up to find out what else may be going on.

mle42

Lindsjammon, so happy to hear the NOT CANCER news! I hope they figure out the vascular issue.

Lindsjammom

thank you mle42 good luck with your surgery next week. I will be sending positive thoughts your way!

aseal321

Lindsjammom that’s great!!! I had some cording out of nowhere a couple years back and everything was clear on the ultrasound just weird lymph node stuff…I hope it comes back clear!!!

My dr wants to send back the breast dr for care, and possible removal of the area but I’m not sure if I want to take that route. Think I’m going to wait until the November testing and go from there. She’s not worried but more do because of the size and the rate if growth. I have to think on that ohe

LivinLife

Great news aseal and thanks for letting us know. Sounds like good news for you too Lindsjammom...I'm a little more tentative in my response to you b/c I hope the vascular issue turns out all right. Please keep us posted....