Going for a diagnostic mammogram.... terrified

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Lola2329
Lola2329 Member Posts: 2
edited November 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

I found a tiny lump in the upper quadrant of my right breast early last week.... it's almost in my armpit (which is why I found it.... I was washing my armpit with shower gel). I first felt a thickening of fibrous tissue in my armpit that felt new/different and then the tiny lump in the tissue next to it.

Went to my GP who said "Oh, it's probably fibrocystic breast condition, but let's have a breast specialist take a look."

So I went to a breast surgeon last Thursday. She did an ultrasound and all she told me was "well, it's not a cyst because it's not fluid-filled. I'm not sure what it is." And then she said she wanted me to get more imaging done.... a diagnostic mammogram with another ultrasound. Another doctor who was accompanying her said something about seeing a "shadow" on the ultrasound.

I am a journalist by training and am usually full of good questions for doctors, but I was totally in shock and didn't ask any of the questions I wish I had. I was just totally fixated on her saying "I don't know what it is." Last thing I wanted to hear.

The worst part is that even though I called the next morning, they could only "squeeze me in" for a diganostic mammogram this Thursday, a whole week later.

I feel like I'm going to have an ulcer by the time Thursday arrives. And from too much Googling, I realize that I might not even get an answer on Thursday. I might just need to schedule an appointment for a biopsy after that :(

I've had some strange pain in the right breast and armpit since finding the lump and also the area where the lump is feels very tender. I don't know if this is a good or bad sign......

I'm 46, have two kids (12 and 16), breast fed both of them til age 2, have no history of breast cancer in my family.....

But from all that Googling, I'm not feeling at all positive about my symptoms/presentation. I just wish the wait wasn't so long.

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Comments

  • marinochka
    marinochka Member Posts: 140
    edited November 2019

    Try not to worry right away. You would not believe how many diagnostic mammo i had during my life.

    and i a few biopsies too, and incision biopsy ...and all of them had result: benign.

    they check ...because it is important to check, they don't want to miss something bad, but it is not time yet to worry so much.

    and yes, it is always waiting...very very difficult, but i hope your result will be ok. Hugs to you!

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  • Elamom
    Elamom Member Posts: 49
    edited November 2019

    my situation is so similar. My dr sent me for an ultrasound after she found a lump. I had to wait 3 weeks for the ultrasound. That lump is fine, but something suspicious was found in the other breast so they want a diagnostic mammo. I finally have that tomorrow after waiting another week. I agree with all the other people here who say waiting is the worst! Hang in there & keep us posted.

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited November 2019

    Waiting sucks, but except for a few VERY rare occasions (with completely different symptoms than yours), it's not a medically urgent situation. Besides your usual daily routine, try to find some fun things to do - a goofy movie, hiking in a park, a museum exhibit, a concert, lunch or dinner with friends.

    Try to ignore the pain that showed up, your poor breast got poked and prodded; of course all the nerve endings are screaming "ow ow ow!"

    Stay away from Booble! This site is one of the few sane places to be.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2019

    Lola2329, welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're so sorry for the worry you're experiencing, but we're glad you have found a great place for information and support, to share and vent while you wait. Good luck with tests, and please come back to let us know how it all goes! We're thinking of you!

    The Mods

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  • Missmom79
    Missmom79 Member Posts: 202
    edited November 2019


    Don’t worrry until there is something to worry about. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Higs

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  • Lola2329
    Lola2329 Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2019

    Thanks everyone for your replies. I know it's too early to worry, and sometimes I am able to convince myself of that ;)

    But I keep thinking about the doctor saying something about a shadow on the ultrasound, which I know isn't good..... and it not being a cyst...... and then her telling me to have the diagnostic mammogram within a week. Ugh.

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  • edj3
    edj3 Member Posts: 2,076
    edited November 2019

    Well your doctor might have been trying to help your wallet by having you get this done in this calendar year before your deductibles reset in 2020.

    Yes, waiting is hard but right now Google (or Booble as AliceBastable called it) is not your friend. If you end up with something not benign, then research here on this site. The articles are informative, not alarmist, and they're backed by research not crazy pants emotions.

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