Hi,

I hope you're feeling ok this morning. 
 

I can't relate to your symptoms but I visited my GP yesterday after previously visiting last month with what felt like a soft lump under my left armpit and pain in that arm and that side breast; she said it was an infected sebaceous cyst and put me on a course of antibiotics that didn't clear it up and now I am in more pain and after my visit yesterday she could now feel two and has referred me to the breast clinic next week. The header on my letter says 2WW 4A 4B 4C 4D.

It's such a worry isn't it! I can't eat, I feel sick with worry. I am 34 with a 12 and 9 year old and I am so scared right now so I just wanted to say, you're not alone. I am here if you need to talk xx

Hi Lovelyjubbly,

Poor you, Infections in this area can be very painful and like alot of infections sometimes need a further dose of antibiotics to clear up, but it will do no harm getting it checked out at the clinic as they deal with armpit  ( axilla ) cysts as well as breast issues. 

Please try not to think the worst, your GP is being cautious and can't see into your armpit so a scan is the best way to see what's going on.

2WW= 2 Week Wait 

Hopefully you will get some reassurance next week, until then take care. :happy:

Hi,

Yes the wait was literally killing me in the past 2 weeks I have literally lost 5 kg as I obviously cannot eat or think about something else.

Mine are not painful at all, well I believe but because I had them for so long I never felt any pain but since the big C was suspected I from time to time feel aches but I put it on more on the psychological aspect, the mind is powerful in creating symptoms you know!

I just can't wait to be on Friday and at the same time I am scared of the outcome. But my life will definitely never be the same whatever the result is.

I will definitely let you know but hoping to come back with good news!

I'll be thinking of you and I pray that it's all positive.

After you saying about going private, I contacted my private health provider and I have managed to get in tomorrow at 5:45 at a private hospital (I didn't think they would get me in before my appointment next Wednesday) so I wasn't going to bother but glad you mentioned going private so thank you.

I am actually more of a nervous wreck now as like you, so scared of what the outcome is going to be. I think I am making myself ill from all the worry. Every ounce of my body is in pain and I feel so sick! 
 

I will let you know how my appointment goes xx

Hi Lovely,

Don't be silly, you're absolutely justified to be looking for support and info in this chat section as it is   "pre-diagnosis signs and symptoms"

Not everyone on here will have a cancer diagnosis after their tests but most of the sypmtoms that get us referred are shared by us all and the fear at this stage is the same for everyone it seems so it can be a good place to talk about your anxieties and hopefully get some reassurance too. 

I have only ever had cysts on my ovaries ( harmless ) but that was painful and my mother got lots of ( harmless ) breast cysts which I believe were painful. One of my daughters had infected armpit hair folicle ( commonly casued by shaving ) which I think is the same as sebaceous cyst as that involes hair/sweat glands and that was very swollen and painful.

The reason I joined this forum is because I found a large lump a while ago and had a sore breast which stayed though a few period cycles so I saw my GP and although she thought it was normal lumpy breast tissue she sent me for a 2 week referral to the breast clinic. 

The waiting was terrible and I went though a rollercoaster of emotions but from talking to others I found that this is the natural response.

I had a total of 3 mammograms and 2 scans and 4 biopsies were taken on the day, not of the painful lump I was complianing about because that was indeed normal breast nodules , BUT they found something else hiding there a 11mm spiculated mass which had to be biopsied to see if it is anything to worry about.

Again, that is a source of anxiety as I have to wait for the results however I have been trying to keep busy and minimise the negative thinking, it's not easy but I have had CBT therapy in the past for PTSD and using coping strategies that I learned. You can get therapy or use online tools to help with your health anxiety, it's a recognised condition now and you don't have to be a prisoner to it.

Anxiety and fear can spiral out of control if you let it. It is OK to be scared, but don't let it dominate your every waking thought, tell your mind "STOP" when it wanders, prolonged stress does not do anyone any good.

Sometimes you have to ask yourself "what advice would I give to someone in my position?" and then give that advice to yourself and follow it...I can see you've been supporting others so you know what to say to yourself.

I'm saying all of this with the best intentions :love:

We are all stronger than we think.

Hi Mumoftwo,

I'm pleased to hear that you've managed to get an earlier appointment by going private, it is worth doing as it turns out for many of us that the waiting is sometimes the worst thing about it all.

I think the key thing to hold onto for the moment is that your GP has referred you to "rule out", rather than highly suspects cancer.

You will get a thorough examination on Friday and hopefully there will be nothing abnormal but you will certainly be in the best place if further testing is required.

Forget work for now but keep busy, stay off the thoughts rollercoaster and you most definitely need to eat , sleep and keep hydrated so that you can function in the meantime....it will do you no harm at all!

Best of luck, will be thinking of you :love:

Your post just made me well up just because of how lovely you sound and how supportive you are to a total stranger even though you're going through such a worrying time yourself and the agonising wait for results is just mental torture. Have you been waiting long? Also, the spiculated mass, was that found on a mammogram? I hope you're not having to wait too much longer. I suppose if you didn't have the initial lump then this wouldn't of been found so that's a positive look on the situation but I'm hoping it's a positive outcome for you so please keep me updated. 

I know I need to speak to someone regarding my health anxiety as it really is spiralling out of control and I don't want it effecting my children. I have tried to keep it at bay but when a health scare crops up, it just consumes me. 
 

I am going to remain positive and try and shut out the dark thoughts and just breathe and keep calm as I now don't have long to wait for my appointment.

Thank you for being a light in my darkness - it does help talking to people and everyone is so kind on here xx

Hi,

You definitely made the right choice in going private if you can afford it.

At best it will ease your worries and in the worst case scenario which I do hope neither of us would be confronted to the, there will be a point to start.

I will definitely be thinking of you tomorrow and hopefully you will come back with good news, I will be praying for it anyway!

Stay strong  

Hi Plumet,

Thank you for your kind words.

I will try to follow your advice.

I hope you will also get your results soon so we can all hopefully put these worries into our past!

Thank you  

Stay strong too and I will be messaging tomorrow with the outcome. I will also be thinking of you on Friday which isn't too much longer now. 
 

If you feel you need to chat, just message on here, happy to talk xx

Hi Lovely,

You know I normally steer clear of forums and online groups as I find some people can be so mean and  abusive but all I've found on this site is support, kindness and caring and I'm only too happy to give my support and reassurance to anyone that needs it. The fact that I'm going through this only helps to understand what others may be feeling so it seems a waste of that to be sitting at home just feeling helpless and sorry for myself, I'm glad to help :love:

I also find it hard to talk to people in person...never can find the right words at the time but when I write I can think more easily about what I want to say.

I've been waiting since the 5th of April and my results appointment moved from the 14th to the 22nd April due to the clinic falling on Good Friday, others have had longer waits so I must be thankful for that.

As you quite rightly say, it is a very positive thing that the spiculated mass was found when it was otherwise I'd have probably not got a routine mammogram until I was 50 which is just over 3 years time!

After a breast exam where everything felt normal, and a mammogram ( just to be safe I expect due to my mother's BC history ) I then got called back in for a more detailed mammogram and a scan which confirmed a suspicious looking small mass. I've allowed myself to do a small amount of "research" so I know a bit more about it, but keeping to reputable sources and not obsessing with it ( difficult to resist but it's for my own good!) 

It's common for women to get answers on their actual appointment day, not everyone needs a biopsy.

I can't promise you won't ever get another health scare so yes, speak to your GP or some areas allow you to self-refer online and go from there and you can take control of your anxiety and life will feel so much better.

For immediate help there are Apps too for anxiety but my phone is full of dog photos so I've never had to memory to download any of them :laugh:

Have a think of any questions you want to ask the doctor tomorrow. They will ask you questions too, medical history etc so write it all down if you think you might get flustered. I forgot to mention a few things in my appointment but then I have a long list of ailments :neutral:

I'll check back tomorrow to see how you got on xx

Hi Mumoftwo,

You're very welcome.

It's tried and tested advice here ( the world's biggest worrier ) and I'm doing OK 

Friday is only one whole day away, technically speaking.:happy:

Hi Mumoftwo,

You're very welcome.

It's tried and tested advice here ( the world's biggest worrier ) and I'm doing OK 

Friday is only one whole day away, technically speaking.:happy:

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to give you an update on my appointment this evening.

I have inflamed pores which is causing the bumps under my skin and for peace of mind, I had an ultrasound on my breast and armpit and it was all clear as I was worried about the breast pain which he said can be unexplained and no cure for it. He was extremely helpful and gave me lots of leaflets. 
 

I would love to hear how you all get on with your appointments and results. I hope and pray it's positive. A girl I know had a breast lump removed not so long ago which turned out to be a benign cyst (I just found out) so just wanted to tell you that.

Sending you lots of positivity and hugs

G x

Hi Lovely,

Oh that's good to hear at least you know what it is and also they've had a good look round via the ultrasound so no nasty surprises either.

I'm glad the doctor was helpful and gave you some info to take home.

Hope the inflammation and pain goes away very soon and now you can enjoy the long weekend without all that worry on your mind.

Don't forget to reach out to get some help for the anxiety, even though it's probably dipped righ tdown now :happy:

Thank you for the positive wishes, I will come back and let you know how I get on ( 22nd is my results day ) x

Hi,

So chuffed for you!!! You must be relieved! It's a wonderful news!!!

It gives me a bit of hope, hopefully my appointment of today will have a similar outcome. I will keep you updated!

Enjoy your Easter weekend worries free  

Xo

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to give you some updates, hopefully it will help others put their mind at rest.

I just had an ultrasound of both breast and axillary, no tumor present and I just have reactive lymph nodes not sure why but no presence of malignancy detected.

I feel so relieved, its like I was given another chance in life.

I do pray that for some of you who are still expecting a result, you will have a positive outcome.

Xo

Hi mumoftwo, 

So pleased all was OK, what a relief! 

Thanks for the update, it's always good to hear good news.

Have a lovely weekend :happy: