New lump . . . or not?

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Member_of_the_Club
Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Found a lump in the shower this morning in my "good" breast. Freaked out. I have a previously scheduled mammogram on Monday and made an appointment with my surgeon for Tuesday. Did a more thorough self-exam and it turns out I have a "lump" in the same precise location in my other breast (aka, the bad one), near the nipple. So now I'm thinking it isn't a lump at all, just a bilateral lumpy area, and that I massively overreacted.



My husband says that unless I am 100% sure it is nothing I should keep the appointment with the surgeon. I can't be 100% sure so I suppose I should keep the appointment, somewhat sheepishly.



Any advice?



Really, i can't be trusted with these things.

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited September 2007

    I'd wait until I'd had to mammo.

    It wouldn't bother me in the least to cancel the surgeon's appointment the day before or the same day. It's just give him a chance to be on time to the next appointment.  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    Oh MOTC, don't feel sheepish about getting it checked out, unless you're sure that if you cancel the mammo, you'll forget the whole thing. I know I wouldn't, no matter how obviously NOT an anomaly it is. I've felt lumps before and ALWAYS get them checked out, just to have peace of mind.

    ~Marin

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  • magsandmattsmom
    magsandmattsmom Member Posts: 424
    edited September 2007
    I'm gonna repeat the advice given to me - go!  That way you'll know for sure - even if it does make you feel goofy. Wink
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  • StefS
    StefS Member Posts: 157
    edited September 2007

    MOTC, I would keep the appointment. Just for peace of mind. Then let him tell you it is nothing.

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  • pconn03
    pconn03 Member Posts: 643
    edited September 2007

    Member:

    Keep the appointment - it's worth the peace of mind!!!

    Hugs,

    Pat

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  • pconn03
    pconn03 Member Posts: 643
    edited September 2007

    Member:

    Keep the appointment - it's worth the peace of mind!!!

    Hugs,

    Pat

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  • ginger2345
    ginger2345 Member Posts: 517
    edited September 2007

    I'd get the mammo because you're going to need it anyway. Then the surgeon will have something to go on in addition to lumpiness.

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  • Fitztwins
    Fitztwins Member Posts: 7,969
    edited September 2007

    Keep the appointment. It sucks but do it.

    Janis

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  • LizM
    LizM Member Posts: 963
    edited September 2007

    Member, I would keep both appointments.  I would also go as far as to ask them to do an ultrasound on the area after they do the mammo and I would still go to the surgeon to have him check it out.  Better yet ask for a breast MRI for peace of mind.  You've already had breast cancer and if I remember correctly they missed your lump the first go round.  You have every right to be diligent and cautious of every lump and bump.   

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited September 2007

    Dear MOTC,

    I'm sorry to hear you have found a lump.  I know how much encouragement and support you offer to all of us and I wish you all the best.  I think it's probably a good idea to see all the doctors and let them all give you a clean bill of health.  Your mammogram and possible ultrasound will most likely determine if you need to see your surgeon the following day. 

    Thanks for all the support you give to all of us.  You're in my thoughts.

    Brenda

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  • livesstrong
    livesstrong Member Posts: 1,799
    edited September 2007

    I would definitely keep the mammo appoint.  I'm not sure if the surgeon would have the results the next day so I might wait a few days on that.  But if it gives you peace of mind by all means GO!!

    Valerie

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited March 2008

    Do go to both, MOTC.



    And mention both "lumps" at time of mammogram to allow them to proceed with diagnostic ultrasound then and there. Tell the radiologist you are seeing your surgeon the next day, and would like him or her to have the results. Actually, you probably will know the results of the sonogram after it's done. Fewer centers are delaying test results so as to minimize error introduction. And if you need to, take a Xanax before your ultrasound or have one available for after. It's hard to go through this, so we'll be there in spirit.



    And don't cancel the surgeon appointment either. Call ahead and nicely request they obtain a fax copy of the ultrasound before your appointment. And ask them to review both the report and the ultrasound with the radiologist personally.



    Piece of mind is worth every penny spent on health care in a woman or man with a breast lump.



    Ahhhhh then most likely you and your DH will be able to relax again...have a nice, quiet dinner together, somewhere romantic, you know what I mean?



    I'm SO Glad you posted this. We take so much on our shoulders alone, and now look what you've done! Gone and gotten us on your band wagon!

    Tender



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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited September 2007

    MOTC,

    Aaarrrgghhhh! I hate this for you!! I managed to hold of for several weeks with my lump before getting an appointment with the onc, and an early mammo.

    Tender gave you the same advice that I would. Tell the radiologist. Get the films to take with you to the surgeon.

    And then BREATHE, girl. Take a deep breath and let it out. There is no "over-reacting" with this disease. You are paying attention to your body, and it's giving you signals.

    Please, please keep us posted on what happens,

    Anne

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited September 2007

    What I am now finding is a bunch of lumpy areas just outside my areolas. Never noticed this before and am wondering if this is a part of the fact that I am sliding into menopause.



    I am keeping the appointments but don't feel as if the cancer is back. I don't think. Blech.

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  • ginger2345
    ginger2345 Member Posts: 517
    edited October 2007

    Hopefully, a negative mammo and a clinical breast exam will put any cancer thoughts to rest. Keep us posted.

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited October 2007

    Ok, what a morninng. Went for the mammorgam and they threw in an ultrasound as a bonus. The radiologist felt fairly confident that the lump is b9, she thinks she sees a lymph node there, but she did a needle biopsy because of my history. She said in anyone else, she would not have.



    Then -- surprise -- in my other (the bad one) breast some fishy looking calcifications turned up so . . . I am having a stereotactic biopsy next week. Phew, this is exhausting. There is probably nothing my surgeon can do tomorrow but I am bringing him all my films so we can at least talk about what the hey is going on. he's great about that sort of thing.



    Anyway, I'm not terribly worried, seems like the worst case scenario is DCIS and not, as last time a 2.9CM TUMOR! Anything short of that i can handle.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2007

    Still, MOTC, it just sucks that you have to go through the bother and the worry! But I guess we all do....it's part of the deal.

    Hang in there....

    ~Marin

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited October 2007

    Well, I'm glad they are being proactive about this.   I will be praying b9 b9 b9 for both issues.

    {{hugs}}

    Bugs

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited October 2007

    That's miserable. You're supposed to be done with breast cancer -- not back on that nasty biopsy table.

    Fingers crossed for b9. 

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited March 2008

    please keep us posted.. sorry you're dealing with all of this

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  • ginger2345
    ginger2345 Member Posts: 517
    edited October 2007

    What a bummer. But you and your doc's are on top of it. I'm hoping for benign!! Thinking of you.

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  • StefS
    StefS Member Posts: 157
    edited October 2007

    Glad you were able to get all that info and tests done all at once. That makes it somewhat easier. Still sending you positive thoughts for this to all be nothing.

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited October 2007

    MOTC,

    How did the surgeon visit go today? I'm thinking about you.


    Anne

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited October 2007

    MOTC, I just found this, oh, shit, what's going on around here?  How are you? What did the surgeon say?  Hang in there, Babe.  We're here, we're here. 

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited October 2007

    Sorry, I posted an update on my "recurrence after lumpectomy" thread but I will pass it on here.



    My surgeon wasn't terribly concerned, which was reassuring. He thinks the place that was biopsied Monday is nothing, and he felt the lump. As for the stereotactic next week, he said odds are b9 but there is enough concern to do the biopsy. I asked him if we are talking recurrence or new primary and he said those words only apply if it is cancer, which is unlikely. But he also said the suspicious area is in an entirely different quadrant of the breast from my lumpectomy and so it would be something new, which i find very reassuring.



    So I guess at worst I'm looking at DCIS which would suck but after having had a 2.9cm tumor, it just doesn't seem as worrisome.

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited October 2007

    Thanks for the update, MOTC.  Keep us posted on the biopsy next week.  Surgeons have a good feel for this so I am glad he isn't terribly concerned.

    Take care,

    Bugs

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited October 2007

    Update: the results of the needle biopsy are inconclusive because they didn't get a good enough sample. Wah? So they are going to redo it when I go in for my stereotactic next Tuesday. I'm getting stereoed in both my girls.



    My surgeon said this is no reason for additional concern. His exact words: "because you had breast cancer -- and I am intentionally using the past tense -- you get stuck more than other people." I love the man.

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited October 2007

    Oh, heavens. Both girls for the stereo?? Sheesh. Yeah, we get stuck more. I'll be thinking about you and hoping for benign!

    Anne

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited October 2007

    Your surgeon sounds like a dream.

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  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited October 2007

    Sounds like a great doctor.  I was slow in finding this and was going to say keep the appt.  Glad you went and will keep my fingers crossed for B9!

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