Hi Ladybird,

Have you phoned your breast care nurse about your concerns? They are usually very helpful in cases like this.

I had the bad luck to find a lesion in my other breast just a few months after I had my first surgery - a lumpectomy followed by Tamoxifen. The new lump was bigger than the original one, it turned out to be benign.

Exactly a year after my lumpectomy, I found another lump in my original breast. This time I wasn't so lucky and I had a double mastectomy followed by Letrozole for 6 years. I stopped taking Letrozole in July 2017 and, it is now 10 years since I was first diagnosed.

It is a scary thought when you believe that the cancer is back, but this possibility is something that everyone with a cancer diagnosis has to learn to live with.

I found the bilateral mastectomy easier to recover from than the lumpectomy and it also healed more quickly. Many ladies just have lumpy breasts, but no cancer. I hope that this may be the case with you when you describe your lumps as tiny.

Please phone your nurse tomorrow and, discuss your findings. My nurse brought me in to see my surgeon the following morning. As you know, the sooner you catch cancer and start treating it, the better the outcome usually is, so stop wasting time worrying and start getting it investigated.

Please stay in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you very much Jolamine:) ! I rang my breast nurse few days ago and I will be seeing my surgeon in 9 days.I was told to come earlier as they might do ultrasound.I have additional (regular appointment)check up visit in breast clinic in 3 days so I'm hoping to get any news good or bad. I'm prepared mentally and ready to fight again if I have to.My orginal cancer was in left breast and it was thick mass,they also found another lump in my armpit,which I failed to detect it.I was waiting few months to make an appointment because I was so scared and couldn't believe it will happen to me,I was only 34 then.New lump in my right breast is so different,sometimes I think I feel more than one lump..crazy I know.I forgot to mention that I have had Ct thorax done 2 months ago and didn't show any changes,but I'm not sure if breast cancer can appear on Ct scan.I will try to call my breast nurse again today,I'm forgetting sometimes to ask important questions .

Thank you again for you kind response,you are a true hero!Sending you many hugs!

HI Ladybird,

I'm glad to hear that you have an appointment to see your surgeon in 9 days and, that you have a routine review in only 3 days. You should mention your concerns about the other breast when you are there for your review. With any luck, they might carry out a few tests and have your results back in time for your visit to your consultat.

It is always a good idea to draw up a list of questions as they come to you. I do this before any appointment and it saves me from forgetting to ask important questions. Can you bring someone with you to your consultantation? It is particularly important to do this when you are expecting to get any test results back.

If your other breast is feeling so different from the original one, I sincerely hope that this proves to be benign.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

HI Ladybird,

I'm glad to hear that you have an appointment to see your surgeon in 9 days and, that you have a routine review in only 3 days. You should mention your concerns about the other breast when you are there for your review. With any luck, they might carry out a few tests and have your results back in time for your visit to your consultat.

It is always a good idea to draw up a list of questions as they come to you. I do this before any appointment and it saves me from forgetting to ask important questions. Can you bring someone with you to your consultantation? It is particularly important to do this when you are expecting to get any test results back.

If your other breast is feeling so different from the original one, I sincerely hope that this proves to be benign.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Dear Jolamine,

After mastectomy I didn't get breast reconstitution so my left side if flat :( .I didn't detect any changes in the breast wall and recently (few days ago)i went for radiology appointment and my doctor checked only treated side,she wasn't interested in my recent breast pain :(  I spend last few days examining my breast over and over again ,at this point I'm sore and can't say if I feel one or two lumps and can't describe the shapes either. I always go to my appointments with my husband,sometimes with my 12 years old daughter as well. I know they will be there for me no matter what and I will fight whatever comes to my way.

I really appreciate your messages and your kindness. 

Wish you all the best in 2020 :-)

Dear Ladybird,

If you didn't have any reconstruction after surgery you can at least rule out ALCL. I didn't either and, am glad when I hear all the hype about ALCL.

When you are back at the hospital, make sure that you tell them how worried you are about your other breast. Try not to keep feeling it, as this will only make your breast sore. I am glad to hear that your hubby always accompanies you to your appointments, as does your daughter occasionally. It makes all the difference to have the love and support of family at times like this.

I found that the best way to feel my lumps was to soap myself really well in the shower and, to feel the lumps when I was wet and soapy - much gentler than just feeling dry skin and more reliable when you are trying to locate the lumps.

Thank you for your good wishes for 2020. Here's hoping for Health and Happiness for both of us in the forthcoming year.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx