Ladies - I need your support

[jo-jo]

:(Well its been a while since I've posted my on my own anxiety but I really need your support just now. A few days ago I found out that someone I worked with for 7 years has just died of breast cancer aged 41 (she leaves 3 children behind too) :( Of course, being a bit paranoid and anxious, I decided to prod and poke a bit more than usual at my own breasts and to my horror found a little lump just above my left nipple. After worrying and double checking it for days (it really quite spoiled my weekend in London too) I decided to go to the doctors yesterday, thinking maybe I was just being silly. When the lovely lady doc examined me she found TWO lumps, one in each breast, and has refrerred me to the breast clinic where I have an appointment next Tuesday for another examination, mammography and fine needle aspiration/biopsy.

The doc says she used to work in a breast clinic and to her the lumps don't feel like they are anything to be too concerned about and she even went as far as saying she thinks (and hopes) they may be cysts and that I'll walk out next Tuesday with no further action required. I've looked up all the stats on breast cancer and I know that 9/10 lumps are benign but its not making me feel much better right now, in fact I've gone to pieces. Yesterday, I couldn't even face walking the dog and although I've got uni work up to my eyeballs I can't seem to face it, all I want to do is sleep and shut everything out. Talk about anxiety coming back full on!

If anyone has been through anything similar, I'd be really grateful to hear from you right now.

Love Jo xxx

[Laurie28]

Hiya Jo,

my sister had a lump and was sent for all the tests. She walked out having been told it was a cyst, nothing to worry about.

All you can do is wait for the tests I know it isn't easy. Pls don't lie down and sleep, get on with walking the dog and your uni work. If it is something to worry about (and I'm sure your dr is most probably right) then you have caught it before any other symptoms develop and have done totally the right thing by going straight to the doctors.

I know this must be very difficult and I know this is a bona fida worry and not just you being 'anxious'. I'm not going to tell you not to think about it becuase I know that isn't a realistic answer. DO NOT look anything else up on the internet etc though as this can feed your anxiety.

The appointment is relatively soon, keep yourself as busy as possible. Don't give in to any sort of depression symptoms, keep us updated eh.

Thinking of you
Love
Lucky

[seh1980]

Hi Jo,

I have never had any experience myself with lumps but for most people who have had them that I know, the lumps have never been cancerous. Please don't get yourself all worked up over it - chances are that everything is absolutely fine!! Looking things up on the internet won't help much either as it will keep your mind going around in circles. Try to just relax and live your normal life. Good luck on Tuesday and let us know how it goes.

Sarah :D

[Merlinssister]

Hey there. I'd be like you if I was in your shoes. But I would also be reminding myself that friends who had cancerous lumps are still here and doing just fine nearly 10 years after their treatment. And that, like everyone else has said it is far more likely to be a cyst that something nasty. Just keep telling yourself that whatever happens you CAN handle it.

[twister]

HI There

My doctor told me she could feel a lump in my breast, i waited for my appointment anxious all the while then went I went the specialist (a hunky male doctor!!) couldn't find a lump at all. So please don't worry - although that is hard to do I know.

Emily

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit
Understanding is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad

[Jules31]

Hi Jo

I agree with the others, you have to stay positive and the stats really are in your favour. Plus you have the advice of someone who has worked in a breast clinic and she doesn't seem too concerned.

A relative of mine had a lump and it was just a cyst and I'm sure that is what yours will be too.

Hang in there and we're here for you, if you need us.



Jules

[Rennie1989]

hiya jo

im sorry to hear whats happened, i hope the appointment wont be too horrific! believe me when i had my xray for my back i was wetting myself! (not litterally)

hope everything is ok and stay positive

Scooter Girl

if i was hungry would you feed me, if i fell you help me up, if i was crying would you brush away my tears

[Sue]

Hi Jo, I can only re itereate what the others have said re stats etc, try to keep busy between now and Tuesday. At least the appointment is fairly quick.

It is pointless to say "dont worry" to you because I am sure any one would worry, anxiety sufferer or not. Just keep reminding yourself that the likelihood is that it will be fine.

Will be thinking of you.

Sue

[jill]

Hi Jo,

Sorry to hear what you are going through right now,
I agree with the others, please try and stay positive

Thinking of you

wishing you well

Jillxxx

May your troubles be less
and your blessings be more
and nothing but happiness
come through your door..

[minny]

Hi Jo!

I have to have regular check ups by my doctor as Ive lost 6 immediate members of my family through cancer over the past 18 months! 2 of those were in my age group 36-40 and they suffered the same type of leukemia. 3 of my losses were to breast cancer and now my dad only has a short time left as he has gastro-intestinal sarcoma of the connective tissues. We are classed as a high risk family. Also, my doctor recommended that I regularly have breast checks because I breast fed all my kids, the youngest until she was 5. My breasts often get very lumpy and Ive had one or 2 scares in the past. They just turned out to be blocked milk ducts but its always better to be on the safe side!

I completely understand your anxiety. Even when people spoke reason to me there were some days when it all just got too much. The important thing is to discuss your fears with people who are happy to listen to you. There is wonderful support out there for breast related issues and you can always count on the support from everyone in here!

I hope your tests go well and I wish you luck! :)

Love Minny...xxx

[jo-jo]

Hi everyone

Thanks so much for your kind words, they mean so much to me right now as I'm so scared its unreal.

Minnie - so sorry to hear that you've lost so many members of your family in such a short space of time - I'm totally bowled over by your positive attitude and you have certainly made me smile.

Lucky - you are so right, I must try to keep busy and not give in to my wretched feelings

Love to everyone, Jo xxx

[Meg]

Also remember that at certain times in our cycle we do get lumps which come and go spontaneously.



Meg

It is impossible to get out of a problem by using the same kind of thinking that it took to get into it.
- Albert Einstein.

[nomorepanic]

Hi JO

I had a lump and it was a cyst and went away with anti-bitoics.

I know you are scared right now and the worst bit is the waiting.

We will all be thinking of you though so please let us know as soon as you get any news ok?

Nicola

[jo-jo]

Thanks Nic

Its true, the waiting is horrible, I just don't know what to do with myself. On the other hand a part of me is thinking maybe its best to enjoy the time not knowing ... When I'm busy I seem to be OK but when its quiet and I'm on my own all sorts of thoughts start to run through my head. I told my mum which was probably a mistake as I've worried her really badly plus she's just about written me off saying oh well, you did get married this year and you got a first for your degree!

Love Jo xxx

[nomorepanic]

LOL Jo

Sorry that aint funny but what a thing to say - as though you are dead already!

We are all thinking of you and sending positive vibes so take that with you ok?

Good luck!

Nicola

[kate]

Hi Jo,

Thinking of you and hope that it all works out well for you :D

Kate xx

[jo-jo]

Hey, you think my mum's comments are funny, well yesterday at uni one of our lectures was on doctor/patient communication and how to break bad news to people ... [:P]

I guess it is quite funny really LOL

Jo xxx

[sal]

Hi Jo

Sorry to read your post wish you had called me mate.

If you need some support over next few days call me or text me and i will come over for a cuppa.

Sure everything will be fine like doctor said but i can imagine how worried you are. Let me know when you are in and i will take time of work and come over to see you.



Love Sal xxxxx

[jo-jo]

Sal

You are a total gem. I'm a bit all over the place at the minute, up one moment, down the next, but it would be great to meet for a cuppa next time you have a day off babes. Look forward to hearing from you.

Love Jo xxx

[jo-jo]

Agh - only 3 days to go!

I've been really up and down this week but today has been particularly bad, mostly because I'm now worried that the pains I get in my groin/leg joints are something to do with the lumps in my boobs! I went to the doctor about my joint pains some time ago and he said that although he could feel my glands, which isn't really unusual, he thought it was more likely to be tendon/ligament related. What if I've got galloping rot all over??

I'm also having a little extra panic because I've heard that 9/10 lumps are benign but as I have 2 lumps, does that mean my chances of being ok are worse? Agh, this is just horrid!

Scardey cat Jo xx

[Merlinssister]

Hang in there. You're not a scaredy cat. Just very naturally anxious. You can deal with this.

[jo-jo]

Yippee!

It was good news at the clinic today :D After having a mammography and ultrasound, it was discovered that I have a small cyst but it wasn't where either of my other 2 suspected lumps were! Turns out the 'suspects' were just normal tissue.

Many thanks for your support girls :D
Much love Jo xxx

[Karen]

Hi Jo

That's fantastic news. I'm so pleased for you. It must be such a relief to know everything is ok.



Briary



It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.

[kate]

So, pleased for you, Jo!!!

;):):D

Love Kate xxx

[Sue]

Thats great news!!!

[Meg]

Hurrah !!
Good to hear that news



Meg

It is impossible to get out of a problem by using the same kind of thinking that it took to get into it.
- Albert Einstein.

[nomorepanic]

Great news Jo!!!

Are they treating it with antibiotics or anything?

Bet you feel like celebrating now don't you?

xx

Nicola

[carlin]

Jo, what fantastic news - have been with you all the way and am so happy and relieved for you

[jo-jo]

Aw thanks everyone [8)]

No, the consultant said they don't need to do anything about it - thank heavens! I didn't even need the fine needle aspiration bit which I'm chuffed about as I wasn't much looking foward to it. The mammography wasn't nearly as bad as I expected although it was a bit uncomfortable and the ultrasound was plain sailing - those of you with children will know how that gooey stuff gets everywhere!

Guess I'd better try and catch up on some uni work now - this last week I've been good for nothing!

Love Jo xxx

[Laurie28]

Hiya Jo,

So glad that it was good news!!!

Love
Lucky

[jill]

Hi Jo,

I am so :D happy for you,
Great news.

LOVE JILLXXX


May your troubles be less
and your blessing be more
and nothing but happiness
come through your door :D