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Breast lump

(32 Posts)
Ilovedragonflies Wed 03-Jan-24 11:39:59

I felt 'off' in the lead up to Christmas and realised one of my breasts was swollen.
Went to GP yesterday and she found a lump, buried deep. I've been referred to the Breast Clinic and they texted today saying they'd received an emergency referral and would be in touch with an appointment.
I live alone, apart from my dog, and am feeling surprisingly numb, almost sanguine about it. I fully expect terror to kick in at some stage but as my kids are settled and happy, I almost have a sense of not being needed anymore and this is God's way of dealing with me. I'm fully aware this isn't healthy, but the fight has gone out of me. I've struggled for so many years to make sure my kids were happy and healthy, I have no energy left for me. I can't tell my sibling as it would immediately become all about them. Their reaction to anything potentially bad is generally one of anger and I can't deal with that right now.
I don't quite know why I'm posting here, possibly I just needed to offload and ask if anyone here been through this and felt the same way?

Jaberwok Wed 24-Jan-24 16:09:27

Oh I am pleased for you, having had one of two cancer scares myself, I totally understood how you felt. Very very good news. Excellent in fact! 🍸🍾

Lovetopaint037 Mon 22-Jan-24 18:07:02

Really pleased for you.

Patsy70 Mon 22-Jan-24 18:01:58

Ilovedragonflies

Just a quick update as I was seen at the hospital this morning. It was a cyst, now gone.

I may sleep without nightmares tonight. And wear a bra again!

Thank you all for your kind messages previously.

So relieved for you. Sleep well tonight! 😴💐

nexus63 Mon 22-Jan-24 17:35:35

five years ago i had bowel cancer then a year later i got vulva cancer, two years ago i found a lump and thought here we go again, it turned out to be a large cyst, i am not really the type to worry i am more whatever will be, please don't think you have nothing left to give and that you are not needed, my only child is happy and settled with his own family but as he put's it, he still needs his mum, i just read your update and i am so pleased for you, my surgeon said the tumor will probably come back, i only have half of my bowel left and it has caused long term problems, i don't worry about it coming back, my cancer did not start in my bowel so it is dormant somewhere inside me and when it decides to come back, i will put by big girl panties on and say...bring it on as that is the way this wee scottish lassie does things.

fancythat Mon 22-Jan-24 17:17:18

Great news.

Sparklefizz Mon 22-Jan-24 17:08:36

So pleased for you … wonderful news!

Calendargirl Mon 22-Jan-24 16:07:04

Good news, am so pleased for you.

Thank you for the update, so often we never hear how people have fared.

silverlining48 Mon 22-Jan-24 15:27:27

So glad for you ilovedragonflies, that’s brilliant . My dd had her test result on Friday, , she has loads cif cysts but nothing worse,
Celebrate 🥳

BlueBelle Mon 22-Jan-24 12:34:44

Oh wonderful I m so happy for you
Don’t anyone ever say anything against the bloody wonderful NHS that’s as quick as can be wouldn’t have been quicker for the Queen
🥰

Shelflife Mon 22-Jan-24 12:31:33

Ilovedragonflies, that is such wonderful news. I have been following your messages , haven't responded because I have no experience of breast cancer - thankfully! and I knew there would be people on GN who could offer you support and advice. What a relief for you , so happy for you. 💐

crazyH Mon 22-Jan-24 12:27:00

Great news 👍

nanaK54 Mon 22-Jan-24 12:21:24

Ilovedragonflies

Just a quick update as I was seen at the hospital this morning. It was a cyst, now gone.

I may sleep without nightmares tonight. And wear a bra again!

Thank you all for your kind messages previously.

Such good news!

annodomini Mon 22-Jan-24 12:17:08

Great news,*Ilovedragonflies*. So pleased for you and glad that the clinic saw you so promptly because it is agony to have to wait in these circumstances. I wish that such diagnostic facilities had been available 67 years ago when I was 17. I would have been saved the surgical intervention had it been shown that 'the lump' was non-malignant.
Now relax! flowers

BlueBelle Mon 22-Jan-24 12:08:16

Don’t take the quick appointment as a worry ilovedragonflies it’s brilliant to get seen so quickly
Stay calm
I was unexpectedly on the 2 week pathway last January completely out of the blue I had a biopsy which proved pre cancerous so had a general op to remove that and they found some stage 1 ( just turned) so second op and given the all clear by April, phew, what a journey in less than 4 months i ve had two checks up since and completely free 🤞🏼
Stay calm but DONT give up just because the kids are settled I’m sure you have a lot of life left in you
Good luck keep in touch and let us know how it goes
I have a very good, very, very young friend 33 going through a really difficult time with cancer at the moment we have to all keep fighting
💐

Ilovedragonflies Mon 22-Jan-24 11:55:12

Just a quick update as I was seen at the hospital this morning. It was a cyst, now gone.

I may sleep without nightmares tonight. And wear a bra again!

Thank you all for your kind messages previously.

pascal30 Wed 03-Jan-24 18:02:23

This is a perfectly normal reaction to scary news Ilovebutterfies
I've had breast lumps and remember reacting just as you describe.. I received lots of wonderful care and they were both benign.. but the treatments nowdays are very effective should that not be the case. I would confide in a friend so that you have support when you go to hospital.. I hope all goes well..

Sparklefizz Wed 03-Jan-24 17:29:13

Ilovedragonflies I would say that your feelings of numbness are actually due to shock.... but take heart, you have found it and you're now in the system and have your appointment shortly.

I have had breast cancer twice, the last time was in 1998, so I will have been clear for 26 years at the end of February.

Sending you my very best wishes, and a gentle hug.flowers

Patsy70 Wed 03-Jan-24 13:55:17

My daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. We were all away for the New Year, when she discovered a lump. Our GP saw her straightaway and she had an appointment at the breast clinic within a few days. She had surgery, then when that had healed, radiotherapy. The care she had, and continues to have, was exemplary. Her results from her annual mammogram/check up came through yesterday, and she has again been given the all clear. Such a difficult time for you, and it would help to have the support of family and friends. Should they find that you have breast cancer, you will receive the care and support of professional people, who are dealing with this every day. Don’t hesitate to contact Macmillan or any other breast cancer charity, who will be able to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime, continue to post here, where you will receive kind words and help in bucketloads. 🌷

MissInterpreted Wed 03-Jan-24 13:24:58

I was called in for extra tests last year after a routine mammogram screening detected something. Fortunately, it turned out to be nothing to worry about, but I couldn't help thinking all the worst case scenarios in the time leading up to the follow-up appointment. I hope everything goes well for you too, but you will get lots of support and friendly words on here.

crazyH Wed 03-Jan-24 13:20:11

Ilovedragonflues - A few years ago, I returned from shopping and while removing my bra (hate wearing bras), noticed a blood stain on it. Shock horror, as you can imagine. First I thought, it was a just an irritated scratch. Then, I realised it was actually coming from my nipple. Had immediate appointment with GP, was seen at the Breast Clinic within a few days , followed by biopsy. Turned out to be a cyst (forgot the name ). Followed up a couple of times and then discharged. No problems since. I know how you feel. Our life is complete. But still, we’d like a few more years with our families, wouldn’t we? Good luck and let us know how things go flowers

sweetcakes Wed 03-Jan-24 13:09:23

Ilovedragonflies
Thank you, so do I.
Take very good care of yourself
And we are all here for you. 🌹

Ilovedragonflies Wed 03-Jan-24 12:52:39

Baggs and nanak, thank you.

Ilovedragonflies Wed 03-Jan-24 12:51:18

Thank you for your responses and advice. I have told my children and they are being supportive, albeit from a distance at present. (One lives many miles away, halfway between me and her inlaws, the other is at university and I don't want to wreck her final year as she's doing really well.) If the worst comes to the worst, I will contact Macmillan for support.
Sweetcakes, I truly hope your results are clear.
AAGA, thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you came through it okay and your team were good.
Granny23, I had a cyst drained a decade ago but going on my GP's reaction, I'm inclined to think this isn't one. It doesn't feel the same. She did say that the breast unit here were good.

And they've just rung me. Appt for 17th Jan. Fingers crossed.

nanaK54 Wed 03-Jan-24 12:45:05

Sending kindest thoughts and all good wishes flowers
It may not be cancer as other posters have said.
I found myself on the two week cancer pathway last August (suspected bladder cancer) and thank the Lord, it wasn't cancer at all.

Baggs Wed 03-Jan-24 12:37:48

Hope treatment starts soon, ILD. One day at a time. Gentle hug from me 💐