Slightly Stressed

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WhisperingWillow
WhisperingWillow Member Posts: 8
edited September 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi, I just turned 50, have two beautiful daughters and 2 unbelievably cute grandchildren. I’m going for my mammogram in 2 days and am feeling anxious. The idea of cancer never crossed my mind, even though my grandmother passed away from breast cancer, my dad was diagnosed with cancer and everyone else on my dads side has had cancer, father and siblings. I noticed a small hard lump years ago and was told that it was scar tissue from my breast augmentation. Ok. I then questioned the deep breast pain and again due to augmentation. I never questioned any further. Fast forward, in the fall of 2016 I started developing a cough that still has not gone away, nausea, inability to eat a full meal and the most extreme fatigue I have ever experienced, I literally can fall asleep in a full room with conversation going. I lost about 30 lbs, but figured I was running too much. I finally decided to go to the dr with my list of symptoms. He sent me for blood work and told me it’s menopause. I get a call about 3 weeks later everything is good and hormones are good, not going through menopause I was told. The small lump is now about 1.5 inches long, hard, somewhat movable but feels like it is attached deeper in the breast. I still have breast pain, and now I noticed I have a hard time lifting my right arm, it goes numb and tingly and I get extreme itching on the breast and under the arm. For the first time I am scared. I know most lumps are benign but I can’t help worrying. All I keep thinking is why didn’t act sooner. I don’t have any one to talk to about this and I know this is lengthy but I just needed to voice my concerns. Hope no one minds. Thanks.
ps. even though I have extreme fatigue I’m plagued with insomnia, does not make sense!
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  • MuddlingThrough
    MuddlingThrough Member Posts: 726
    edited September 2018

    I'm sorry you are scared. What's next for testing? What does your doctor recommend? Waiting for tests and then the results is hard. Update when you know what you're dealing with and hopefully it will be benign.


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  • JoE777
    JoE777 Member Posts: 628
    edited September 2018

    It's scary and you're normal in your thinking and concerns. My journey was somewhat like yours minus breast scarring. You're on the road now to take charge of your health and some of the hardest days are waiting for tests and results. Hang in there and don't hesitate to vent, share and question the courageous women on this site. Hugs and Peace. J

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited September 2018

    I can see why you're concerned. Your symptoms may or may not be related. Most lumps are NOT cancerous. You're 50 and post-menopausal, so that limits your breast cancer risk some. Still, you know this lump needs evaluation. At the least, you need a mammogram, and possibly an an ultrasound or MRI. Each of these tests have strengths & weaknesses, but they are safe and will give your doctor a lot of information.

    Call your doctor on Monday and let us know how things go.

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  • WhisperingWillow
    WhisperingWillow Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2018

    I want to thank you for your positive outlook. I read quite a few posts and there are so many courageous and beautiful people here. Thank you for reminding me that most lumps are benign, but the waiting, ugh! It's funny you mentioned being post-menopausal, as the last time I went to the dr I thought I had started peri-menopause. I was having the worst night sweats, joint pain and all of a sudden I needed to know where every bathroom was located, as I needed to pee all the time. So, all test were done, still having my period, mind you it only lasts about a day and a half, but I'm knowhere close to menopause apparently. I was given a clean bill of health. I've since changed drs, and hence going through tests now. I've already had an ultrasound and tranvaginal and I have to redo as they found a cyst. The breast lump came up as an after thought, and now the wait. I'm truly not as worried or concerned after reading all the literature.
    I thank you 😊 and my hubby thanks you, as this was a great place to get info. I still haven't mentioned anything to my daughters yet, I guess I just don't want them to worry needlessly if everything comes back fine.
    Well I shall get back to not worrying ☀️😃

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited September 2018

    I agree with your decision to not tell your children. There's no reason to alarm them. After you get results, you'll know more about what needs to be done next.

    I didn't tell anybody anything, except my DH, until I had results in hand . And when i did, I just had them come over and I told them the plan. They asked some questions and then it was life as usual. I'm a pragmatic person, so I really don't want people mooning around and being upset on my behalf. My kids took their cues from me and life went on.

    You'll know when the time is right. Good luck.







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  • WhisperingWillow
    WhisperingWillow Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2018

    Hi. I have a question which I’m sure has been answered before, so I apologize in advance. How long does it take to get results back. I went in for a mammogram and ultrasound was done as well. I was told if they need to they will schedule an MRI. One nurse said 1-3 days, another said a week or more. So not exactly sure and I’m curious as to how long I’m going to be waiting. I don’t wait well. 🙂
    Thanks so much to all you lovely ladies.
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  • Erinashley19
    Erinashley19 Member Posts: 104
    edited September 2018

    I think every office is different.

    I got my results same day. As I was laying down to get my US the tech told me that she had spoken with the radiologist already and my mammo was clear. After the US was done and the radiologist looked it over I was given those results as well as the next step right then before I left. My office mailed my official report a week later.

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  • Mandyhiero
    Mandyhiero Member Posts: 90
    edited September 2018

    I went in scheduled for an ultrasound, they did it and I waited for the radiologist to look it over, the tech came back in, told me the u/s was clear, but they wanted to do diagnostic mammogram. Had the mammogram an hour later and was told that was clear about 40 minutes later.

    That’s how mine was done (and in my opinion is how it should be, if possible), but I guess every place is different.

    Prayers that everything comes back good for you, WhisperingWillow!

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  • WhisperingWillow
    WhisperingWillow Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2018

    Hi! Thank you for replying. I still haven’t heard anything, so I’m still doing my best to not stressfully wait🙂.

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  • WhisperingWillow
    WhisperingWillow Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2018

    Hi. I still haven't heard from the Dr, which I'm hoping means all is good. Although, the worrier part is starting to freak out a little. I'm not great at waiting, my kids always got early Christmas presents because of it 😃 lol. I started thinking about my family and if something were wrong, how to tell them. I have never been sick and before I started getting too fatigued, I was an avid runner. All I keep thinking about are my daughters and my husband. I guess that's why I'm stressing because everything is so uncertain until I get a call. Well, I shall go back to obsessively cleaning 🙂.

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  • WhisperingWillow
    WhisperingWillow Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2018

    Well, I still haven't been able to get in touch with my Dr for my results. However, I think I may have found out why. The hospital in our city is looking to close, or as they say “restructure “ our Sudbury Breast Screening Assessment Service. The clinic provides quick access to treatments, surgeons and other services. Due to less wait times, treatments can be started much earlier for better prognosis. Without this clinic wait times will once again be months, and delayed treatments. I'm deeply afraid for the people in our beautiful city. Hopefully, something can be done.

    And I figure if I haven’t heard anything by this time all must be well. A good night to all the lovely and inspiring people. Thank you.

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  • WhisperingWillow
    WhisperingWillow Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2018

    Finally heard from the dr’s office. The receptionist couldn’t tell me anything but that I needed a follow up in 6 months. Not sure what this would mean, but for now everything is good, I have an appt with my Dr in 2 weeks. If anyone could help me understand what the purpose is a 6 month follow up is. Also, my lymph nodes were swollen, she mentioned this during the ultrasound, is this the possible reason? Just need a little reassurance. Thanks so much
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