Sweetpea

hello fellow ladies


Well, i've found a lump in my right breast.... it's hard and notty and rather painful.... and i'm scared.

It could be anything from a benign cyst to breast cancer to ???.... i'm going to see my gyno. about it Friday morning.. but Friday seems so far away...... Like everyone who has found a lump, i'm going to say "i'm sure it's nothing..." and it probably is, but the 'what if's' are rolling around in my anxiety ridden psyche...

My question is:

Has anyone else experienced finding a lump?? How did it make you feel? What was the outcome?

And Everyone please, give yourself a breast exam ... i found my lump at home during my routine monthly breast exam i give myself....

Sweetpea

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maleficent

I've had a few episodes where it turned out to be nothing.. but better safe than sorry.. I'm just a very cysty kind of person...

I can't stress enough the importance of monthly self-exams, I have a card that I keep in my shower as a reminder... (and have given them out as christmas gifts) Wait'll you start to experience the wonderful world of mamograms...

It sounds like you've been a good camper and do this every month, so in all honesty, it's probably nothing, if you gave yourself an exam last month and didn't find anything, and there's something there this month then it's been caught early... that's the key and that's why you do self exams - -for that early detection.

It's possible that it's just a bruise... you'd be amazed the things that will give you bruises....

You're doing the right thing by going to the doctor... Friday is a long way off, did you tell the nurse/receptionist whomever makes the appointments, that you did find a lump - some doctors will fit you in immediately... (though given your age, I don't think you are in a high risk group)

In the mean time-- take care of yourself... spoil yourself.. and try not to dwell on it..

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ShaniFaye

I've had a few episodes too....all were nothing cysts that were easily taken care of by my BC pills (at the same time my uterus was full of them too)

it was scary, I was convinced I had cancer so I know what you're going thru and we'll be praying that your lumps are nothing too!!!!

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Gilda

I've never had a lump that I remember, but I have to admit that up until I hooked up with Grace, I was pretty lax about self examination. If nothing else, your posting this helps to serve as a reminder of what we all need to be doing.

My prayers are with you, and I'm sure it's going to turn out to be nothing .

Gilda

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Supple Cow

Mal is right about the timing. If you do your exam monthly, then it's a little closer to good news than bad because it's unlikely to be more than a month old, whatever it is. I hope it's nothing but a bruise you got from having good, good sex. Only good things. And if it does turn out to be something to worry about, know we'll all be here to support you along the way in any way we can.

I do my self-exams less than monthly now that I'm off BC (every 6 or 7 weeks). So far, no lumps. *knock wood*

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rlynnm

I worked in breast cancer research for a few years, and trust me, if you find anything that wasn't there previously, do get it checked out. I'm sure you're antsy about it, but the you've already taken the first necessary step..

I give myself a regular exam around every other month or so, and seems ok so far, but I think I still need to be very mindful of the possibilities...

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abaya

Uff, that can be scary stuff, even if it turns out to be nothing. I'll be thinking of you this week and waiting to hear about the report from the doctor on Friday, Sweetpea.

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shesus

Sweetpea, I'll keep you in my thoughts. I'm sure that it's nothing, but you never know. I'm not good at saying the 'right' thing in situations like this. I will be waiting for an up-date.
I send my love and good wishes

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cellophanedeity

Good luck sweetpea. Don't stress about it too much until you know what the problem is. I know it may sound hard, but stressing will just make you feel worse.

I'll keep my thoughts with you.

Sweetpea

thank you so much everyone... i really really appreciate your kind words... and maybe this is just my wake-up call to be even more dilligent about my health... because i have had an auto-immune disorder since i was a child, it does make me prone to things... so i hope it's another one of those "your body is just acting wierd" things....

you've all lifted me up and i thank you for that... reminds me of why i'm here in this community...

Friday is only a few days away... and i'll feel much better after i get a clean bill on this strange lump!

thank you again... and as Mal said and i'll say it again... do your monthly breast exams... if you're wondering what the proper way to do it is, here is the linky http://www.komen.org/bse/

sweetpea

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lurkette

I found a lump when I was 17 - turned out to be a fibroadenoma, benign and removed. I'll be thinking of you - stay as calm as you can till you find out what's what.

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sillygirl

There's a girl I work with (she's 13) who found a lump in her breast. It also swelled up a little and was a bit larger than the other one, and was pretty painful from what she said. It turned out to be some kind of infection that they treated with antibiotics.

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JustJess

Thanks for the reminder, Sweetpea!
I'll be thinking of you. Like the intelligent ladies here said... no matter what, it's only been a month. And probably less, we tend to notice that stuff just in play!

And other oddities - cysts, bruises, etc. - seem to be a lot more common than the scarier alternatives.
Good luck, and let us know!

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Sultana

Sweetpea, you're certainly in my thoughts. There's many, many non-serious things this can be, and the odds are high that this falls into that category.

I'm sorry you have to wait until Friday to get this off your mind, though! Maybe you could call back and see if there are any appointment cancellations you can snag, eh?

Sending Good Vibes your way! {{{hugs}}}

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genuinegirly

Sweetpea - our thoughts are with you. thanks for reminding us we're not human. And keep us updated on what the doc says Friday!

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Sweetpea

I know... it's probably something totally non-serious...

i just can't help but feel like the "dun, dun, dun" music is playing everytime i move my arm and the lump hurts....

I could get something sooner than friday... but it's with my own gyno. that i've had for years and who i trust... so i'd rather see her than some random doctor....

Thank you again everyone for your kind thoughts... you're all so wonderful

Sweetpea

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maleficent

Reason and logic fly out the window when you are dealing with yourself or someone you love... it's totally natural and normal for you to be concerned and to even put on your doom and gloom hat. Don't think for one moment that you are being melodramatic or that you are making a mountain out of a molehill... Any lump at all - any abnormality at all should be checked out by a doctor sooner rather than later. The whole point behind self exams and to knowing your body is to find things that weren't there the last time...

On Friday, when the doctor gives you a clean bill of health - it will just give you a reason to celebrate!!!

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Supple Cow

Are you very uncomfortable with the idea of seeing another doctor? And is it possible for you to go twice? It might be helpful to go see somebody as soon as possible to get an x-ray and whatever else you need out of the way. Then you can always keep your appointment with the familiar face on Friday to talk over things in more detail and discuss what the first doctor told you. I think it would be worth the peace of mind if you can do it.

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Ananas

Hi Sweetpea,

It's very hard not to worry about something like this, so I won't tell you to relax and not worry.

Please consider getting a second opinion. I understand the comfort level you have with your gyno, but it won't hurt to obtain the opinion of a second person. Depending upon your gyno's diagnosis, along with your age and family/personal medical history, she will hopefully recommend a mammogram. If she does recommend a mammogram, ask questions about the facility providing that service, especially about the type of mammography technique they will be using. Some use X-ray, and others will use MRI or sonogram. Some will use the squeeze-plate method, others will use the sonogram sensing tool (don't know the medical term for it). There are so many techniques with differing results, you could maybe do a bit of research ahead of time.

Because you have an autoimmune disease, it's very important you get thoroughly tested. Also, review what's been going on with your body the past month or so to see if your AUD has been flaring up - the breast lumpiness may be a reaction in the lymph glands. I also have an AUD, and I've noticed that my breasts react when I'm having a flare-up.

Ladies, when you check your breasts every month, include your underarms, too. The same rules apply (unusual lumps, swelling, discoloration, etc.) as for your breasts.

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Grasshopper Green

Hugs for you, sweetpea! I found a lump when I was 15 that turned out to be cartilage growing on one of my ribs...it was painful and ended up being removed. I'll keep you in my thoughts...I know you're scared right now, but try not to worry too much. Everyone here is keeping their fingers crossed for you on Friday!

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Sweetpea

thank you for your suggestion SC, friday morning was the time i could get in, our local clinic happens to run a tight schedule, so they don't/can't work around the patient's work schedule very often...

i'm trying not to worry about it too much, as i'm sure this may be the first of several appointments concerning this, so i'm just trying my best to chill about it until i know what's going on... being able to vent here has helped tremendously and all of your support everyone has been really lovely and kept me from losing my cool about it


Ananas:

thank you for the information about AUD's and the breast... i do happen to be in a flare up currently, so that may very well be affecting things.... i will certainly do my best to do research. I may end up getting a second opinion of a specialist if i feel it's nessasary... i appreciate your suggestions...

Sweetpea

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ursae_

Sweetpea- I found a lump this past summer. It was painful, and sometimes still is. I went to the doctor, who did a sonogram (if you've never had one done, they're the ones used to check up on fetuses), and it turned out to be a cyst. I had read quite a bit on it, so by the time they got around do doing the sonogram, after being referred to about three different doctors, I had already realized what it was. Doctors still don't know why these cysts are formed, but they do know it is probably caused by an infection of the ducts. If this is the case, it's likely the cyst will be fluid filled, in which case all they have to do is drain it, and have it collapse on itself. This may not work the first time though, and it may need to be re-drained. The draining itself if not very painful at all. I know the image anywhere near the area may seem extremely painful, but it wasn't so bad. First they would anesthetize the area, and then would insert a needed to drain the cyst. That's it. This would all be done in the doctor's office, where you would get your checkups. A bit of pain does come about half an hour afterward though, when the anesthesia wears off, but nothing compared to before. My lump seemed to be about 2 centimeters long, and there was obvious (to me) swelling and pain in the area. I don't know that this matches yours at all, but i hope this helped a bit. hope all goes well

Pip

As long as you don't start making schedules of things you need to do before you die based on 3, 6 and 12 months left to live you are way cooler than me. In my case it was a birthmark acting suspiciously that turned out to be nothing.

Sweetpea

hey all,

just wanted to give a little update...

I went to the doctor this morning... my doc. thought it was a certain kind of cyst, so she tried to drain it, which was a bit scary since it was with a needle (and I was like "eeekkk") but it doesn't have any fluid in it, it's a hard mass..., which caused my doc to go "hmmmmmmmmmmmmm"

So I'm going to the hospital at 1:00 today to have a sonogram of the lump.... all she said was that she can't diagnose it until they have the sonogram results... which I won't get until monday :/ so, more waiting... oh well.... she said that it's probably a certain kind of cyst that will need removing, but she can't tell 100% what it is exactly until we get more results.


so it's more of the Hurry up and wait

Sweetpea

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onodrim

Sorry you've got to wait a bit longer. But at least the main thought at this point is still a cyst of some kind, keep thinking happy thoughts and we'll be thinking them for you.

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Sultana

I will Fo Sho be continuing to keep you in my thoughts (not an unpleasant task at all!).

So...I guess this means it's *completely* appropriate for me to be thinking about your breasts for the rest of the weekend. Hmmm. :P

Yeah, OK, that was odd, just struck me as funny.

I am hugging you now.

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Sweetpea

hehehe You can think of my breasts anytime you want



Sweetpea

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Sweetpea

Just got back from the sonogram... they are pretty sure now that it's not a cyst, but that it's a lymph node that is wacking out... which means my immune system is really low right now...

So, nothing serious...!

i'm going back in 8 weeks for another sonogram to follow up and make sure it's not growing or moving...

thanks everyone for your kind thoughts!

And do your breast exams!!

Sweetpea

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snowy

I'm glad to hear it's potentially nothing to worry about...I was worried...and thinking about your breasts constantly did nothing to comfort me :P

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Gilda

I'm glad I can, at least for now, stop worrying about your breasts and resume obsessing bout them .

This is good news, thank you for sharing it!

Gilda

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maleficent

glad you got good news... and yay on you for being proactive with your health

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Elphaba

Sweetpea, I've been waiting anxiously for your news and I am so glad of the results. Is there something you can do to give a boost to your immune system? This is a nasty time of year to be susceptable to anything that might come your way. Take care

Ananas

Hi Sweetpea,

I'm glad you made it through all your exams, and that things are not the worst you could possibly think.

Before your next sonogram, check with the doctor who's treating you for your AUD. It may be that your medication may need adjusting, or a new medication needs to be prescribed. She should also ask you for detailed information on what's been going on in your life lately (e.g., increased stress, a redent cold/flu, any noticeable joint pains or swelling, odd periods, vision problems, the works...) to determine why you are flaring, and if the lymph gland involvement is a reaction to something else occurring in your body. Some bloodwork, including an ANA test, should also be on order.

Don't mean to be a Gloomy Gertrude, but an AUD just requires this kind of safeguarding.

Stay positive, and go eat some ice cream to soothe those stressed out nerves.

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