Hi Cf5,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am not a doctor, but have discovered from reading this forum that ladies of your age are less likely to have cancer than older ladies. Your GP has examined you and didn't feel concerned which is good news. Not all lumps are cancerous. It is common to get cysts or fibroadenoma or other far less worrying outcomes. Your GP has left it open for you to return to see her again if you remain concerned.

Try not to check your breasts all the time, as this will only make them sorer, but if you remain unconvinced that all id ok, please get a referral to put your mind at ease.

Please keep in touch and let us know what you decide to do. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

Thanks for your reply. I'm going to try and not touch it so often and see how I feel in a few weeks time - I need to try and trust my GP more but I wish I didn't have so much anxiety around my body, and I guess I'm a bit freaked out as I wish it wasn't there at all. I know we can't control these things though. 

I'm happy that I went to get it checked though so at least that's a positive step and I'll try to take some comfort in that. I'll let you know how things go if I go back to the doctors. 

Thank you for listening, I really appreciate it. xx

Hi Jolamine,

I just keep shaking all the time. I feel like my lymph nodes are all showing up on the same side now, and I can feel flat, smooth almost glass like lumps around the lump of concern now and a few leading up towards the armpit. I just can't believe this is happening. 
xx

Hi Cf5,

From what I have read on this site, most of the smooth lumps are not the ones to worry about. It is the more ragged edged ones that can prove problematic. I know that it's hard to believe that this is happening. Many of us are almost in denial at this stage, so how you are feeling is perfectly normal.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

The main lump of concern feels that way to me. My family and friends keep snapping at me for not thinking positively but they don't have what I have, and it doesn't feel good. I feel like I'm being realistic. 
 

I just I haven't been too late in finding it but I'm desperate to know. You just want to give yourself the best chance possible for treatment purposes.

So sorry to be messaging you so late. I just feel like I need to get my feelings out there. 
 

Thank you xx

Hi Cf5,

You can message me at any time. It is hard to be positive all the time and it is good to be realistic too. That way, if the diagnosis turns out to be unfavourable, you are in some small way, prepared for it. On the other hand, if nothing untoward is found you are free to celebrate.

We're always here whenever you want to express your feelings.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

I had an examination today from a consultant (unfortunately I couldn't get an ultrasound today) and he doesn't seem concerned. Part of me feels relieved but it all happened so fast - I feel like he barely examined me and he only used the palm of his hands. I'm worried in case he missed the areas that I'm worried about, they just feel so sinister to me. I have a hard time trusting doctors due to health anxiety - I just don't want to get my hopes up but I'll try to take some comfort. 
 

I should be able to get an ultrasound in 2 weeks time so I'll let you know how that goes. Thank you for being there. Xx

Hi Cf5,

Thank you for the update. I'm sorry to hear that you couldn't get your ultrasound today and, that you don't feel totally reassured by your consultant's examination. It is good to hear that you will still get the ultrasound in 2 weeks, so take heart that your consultant is not discharging you without any further tests and, wants to be absolutely certain.

You will normally find that most consultants have seen so many cancer patients that they are pretty accurate with their own gut feelings. I sincerely hope that this will be the case for you. I look forward to hearing the outcome.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

I really hope so. I would be devastated if he was wrong or rushed through because of my age but hopefully everything will be okay. Xx

Hi Jolamine,

My ultrasound is on 5th March. Feeling very scared so my GP has put me on antidepressants to try and cope. 
 

xx

Hi Cf5,

I hope that the antidepressants helped. How did you ultrasound go?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Meg & Jolamine,

So sorry for the delay - I've just been staying off the internet to process everything.

Thankfully the ultrasound went okay. They didn't find anything sinister in my boob and in my underarm, they found a few reactive nodes but no one is worried about anything. It's such a relief.

I just really struggle with my breasts and the surrounding tissue. They both feel so different from each other but perhaps I've been digging in too hard as well. I just have a lot of anxiety around missing possible changes in my breasts, so I worry I'm not checking thoroughly enough or deeply enough. 

The antidepressants are starting to help and I'm going to be starting some therapy sessions as well. Still feeling very anxious about my body but I hope I'll feel better again in time. Thank you so much for being there. 
 

xx

Hi Meg & Jolamine,

So sorry for the delay - I've just been staying off the internet to process everything.

Thankfully the ultrasound went okay. They didn't find anything sinister in my boob and in my underarm, they found a few reactive nodes but no one is worried about anything. It's such a relief.

I just really struggle with my breasts and the surrounding tissue. They both feel so different from each other but perhaps I've been digging in too hard as well. I just have a lot of anxiety around missing possible changes in my breasts, so I worry I'm not checking thoroughly enough or deeply enough. 

The antidepressants are starting to help and I'm going to be starting some therapy sessions as well. Still feeling very anxious about my body but I hope I'll feel better again in time. Thank you so much for being there. 
 

xx

Hi Cf5,

This is fantastic news. I'm so glad for you. You will gradually get to know what feels normal for you. Sometimes, digging in too hard can make your breasts feel sore, even if they weren't before. I find that the easiest way to check is in the shower. If I soap myself well and then run my hands over my breasts with my arms in the different positions, it is much easier to feel anything untoward. Also, it doesn't leave my breast feeling painful, as my hands glide over my breast with the soap, instead of digging in on dry skin.

I am delighted to hear that the antidepressants are helping and, that you will soon be starting some therapy sessions too. I sincerely hope that these make a big difference for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks for everything Jolamine, and I really appreciate the advice in regards to checking myself. All the best xx

Hi,

No problem at all. Take care of yourself and don't forget to check routinely.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx