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lilrebel
lilrebel Member Posts: 23
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

I was diagnosed when I was 19 with Fibrocystis (ok I dont know how to
spell it, its the lumps in the breast that after biopsy says
non-cancerous).

I am now 31 years old, the major lump I had at 19
is the same no changes. I have found a few stranglers here and their,
they do the typical grow around menstrual and disappear shortly after,
creating pain that came and went.

I found a quite large mass on
the outside of my right breast, on the surface of this large mass I can
feel long nodule like bumps which do not move. This part of my breast is
painful as of the last few weeks, not during my typical painful breast
time. Not only that but there is a small bruise the size of a dime which
has not gotten worse, but not gotten better. My veins are seen very
easily, and my lymph nodes in my armpits and one in the inside of my
elbow are swollen but not hard.

The pain is very overwhelming by
the end of the day, and I have to pray that my 5 year old crazy son
doesnt try to jump on me while Im on the couch. He did that yesterday
and it sent me into a sharp pain localized to my right nipple and the
area of the large mass.

Heres my question, should I go to the ER? Urgent Care? Or wait to get into see my regular doctor?

Family
history: Mom had ovarian cancer, full hysterectomy at age 38 because it
was so advanced, my moms sisters all have been diagnosed with breast
cancer and/or ovarian cancer, my fathers mother was diagnosed with
ovarian cancer as well.

Help please!

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Comments

  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2014

    Your regular doctor or a breast specialist.

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited January 2014

    I think a breast specialist, not necessarily because of the current symptoms, but due the potential familial risk of having ovarian cancer in the family. I would imagine the breast specialist will send you on to a genetic counselor. Has anyone on your mom's side had the BRCA gene mutation test?

    Try not to stress about it. My DIL just found out she is BRCA negative for the mutation, even though her mom and gram are positive. Please let us know how you do.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2014

    I agree with Farmerlucy. Just meant that it is not an emergency & neither the ER or urgent care are suited to help with this.

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited January 2014

    Agree with the others. No need for ER or urgent care.

    See your Gp then perhaps a breast specialist. This is not an emergency situation. 

    Best of best thoughts to you.

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  • lilrebel
    lilrebel Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2014

    I have an appointment with my doctor for tonight, they are squeezing me in because of my past and symptoms, the nurse on the phone was shocked that with my previous issues I have never had a mammogram done. So they are probably going to schedule one for me at that time.

    No one in my family has ever had genetic testing of any kind.

    I will let you all know what happens!

    Thanks!

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited January 2014

    Great news! Crossing my fingers for you.

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  • AZ85048
    AZ85048 Member Posts: 2,613
    edited January 2014

    lilrebel - Good luck to you today!  We're all pulling for you!  Please let us know how it goes....

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  • Momcat1962
    Momcat1962 Member Posts: 665
    edited January 2014

    Let us know! Thinking about you. 

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  • lilrebel
    lilrebel Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2014

    I got in to see another doctor last night...she did a breast exam, I showed her the general area where I found the lump before I got undressed, just placed my hand over the area (not pointing or specifying where it was).

    When she did the exam she started with the left one, and found some of my fibrocysts which I told her about and I told her those ones do the normal fibrocyst stuff in sync with my menstrual cycle.

    Then she came to my right breast, I wasn't looking at her face while she was doing this kinda trying to not think about it I guess. Then out of the corner of my eye as she came to the lump her eyes got bigger her mouth opened slightly...then she said "is that it?"

    They are scheduling me for a mammogram, i am waiting to get a call this morning.

    My fear has only heightened....

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  • lilrebel
    lilrebel Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2014

    I saw on the paper where she drew what she felt, and she drew that lump in my breast and two lumps leading to my armpit....which I felt as well but didnt mention to her....really worried.

    What else could this be?

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited January 2014

    Take it step by step. I know how scary it is. I'm glad they are taking you seriously. As another lady on this board says "Don't go there 'til you get there." The odds of it NOT being BC are very much in your favor.  Hang in there.

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  • alicki
    alicki Member Posts: 661
    edited January 2014

    Hello, 

    I only found out that I had fibrocystic breasts when I had a breast reduction and I have lumps under my left arm. Did ultrasound, MRI and even Pet Scan to my insistance, and no cancer ever turned up. They say that they are just fatty lymph nodes which can occur with fibrocystic breasts. 

    Good luck with the mammogram but do insist for Ultrasound and if necessary MRI. 

    Keep us posted.

    Alicki

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  • lilrebel
    lilrebel Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2014

    I just got a call from my doctor, I have my diagnostic mammogram scheduled for Feb 20th, 2014....that is 3 weeks away!

    I am having a lot of trouble working right now, cant stop thinking...when i do stop thinking about it that only lasts a little while.

    I have disliked my job for a while, my boss is not nice to me, I need words of encouragement to get through the wait....

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  • alicki
    alicki Member Posts: 661
    edited January 2014

    Hello, 

    Here's what someone said to me:

    'stand in the middle': give yourself a 50%/50% chance.

    I had swollen breast, redness, mild peau d'orange, and lumps under my arms. I went to the extent of having the bottom half of my breast reduced (taken off) + numerous tests and it turns out to be something B9 (just praying they haven't missed anything!!!) but 'to be put under surveillance'

    I was so convinced that I had BC and was going to die, that I made myself mentally sick in the process and am suffering from extreme health anxiety. I'm not out of it yet....

    So, just give yourself some breathing space. It can be ANYTHING!!!! Try and get the mammogramm before that  (by calling them and asking them to call you before if someone cancels an appointment) and insist on having ultrasound too. And most importantly, make sure you get docs you can trust and then trust them to do their job.

    I'm here if you need me

    Best

    Alicki

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited January 2014

    lilrebel - Really, in the grand scheme of things, 3 weeks is not that long a wait. If it were more serious, your doctor probably would have made sure your diagnostic mammogram were scheduled immediately. Like alicki said, you can always call and see if there are any cancellations.

    Waiting is truly the hardest part. But like farmerlucy said, "Don't go there until you get there."

    The MAJORITY of breast lumps are not cancerous. 

    Try to stay busy, stay distracted. Find something you love to do, and do it. 

    Keep a journal. Sometimes writing down your thoughts on paper can get them out of your head and allow you to relax.

    We've all been where you are. And there are thousands more women who no longer post because what was found was benign.

    Take a deep breath. Take it one day at a time. We are here for support.

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