Sinking in breast when lifting arms

I'm originally from the UK but living in Ireland at the moment. I noticed last Thursday when getting out of the shower that when I raised my arm I got a dent appear at the bottom of my left breast. 

I wasn't sure if I was seeing things so I asked my partner on Saturday if he could see it as well. When he said he could, I went in to panic mode.

Unfortunately the health care is shot in Ireland and we haven't got a GP so I had to go and see an out of house on call doctor. Luckily I was seen that afternoon (Saturday) and I was seen by a doctor and a nurse. Both got me to raise my arm and immediately said, yes you need to be seen. 

We spent the best part of Monday calling clinics in Ireland that will accept a letter from an out of hours doctors and luckily found one to be told that the wait is 6 weeks unless the nurses deem it necessary to bring you in early. 

A letter arrived yesterday asking me to go for my appointment next Thursday and now I'm not sure how to feel. Happy I don't have to wait but also scared they feel I need to be seen. I've had a right wobble today. 

How does everyone else deal with waiting. Has anyone got puckering as well? 

Parents
  • Hi, I just had my referral appointment yesterday. I noticed a lump, and the same as you I had puckering in my breast when raising my arms. I have to say my hospital appointment yesterday found a solid lump on both my ultrasound and mammogram (I’m only 38) and they then done biopsies, it wasn’t great news but have to wait 2 weeks for the biopsy result before they can confirm. Please don’t let this scare you because there can be so many other things that could cause it, but I totally know how you feel in waiting, it’s torture.

    please let us know how you get in your appointment and I am crossing my fingers your result is better than mine. Sending best wishes x

  • Hi Lebell84,

    I just wanted to wish you best wishes for whatever lies ahead for you. I hope your wait for results isn’t too long xx

  • Oh lebell, here's hoping you get an answer before you go. Xx

  • Hi, how did today go? Got my fingers crossed that everything was ok for you xx

  • I've been anxiously waiting for   as well. Been on my mind all day. Xx

  • I know I didn’t want to ask but hoping everything was ok, and if not we’re here for her if she needs us xx

  • Hi, 

    All went ok. I had a mammogram, then ultrasound and biopsy in 2 places on the same breast, and they put markers in before sending me back for a check mammogram. The nurses/ doctors that saw me were all really lovely, and in particular the lady that did the ultrasound went to great lengths to make sure I understood what was going on etc. She looked at my armpit and said that my lymph nodes looked normal, and commented that was a positive. Interestingly, both the nurse that did the mammogram and the ultrasound doctor commented that they were surprised I noticed the tethering, because of where on the breast it is.

    Anyway, I’m a bit sore and bruised tonight but feel a lot better mentally. I don’t know how I’ll feel tomorrow, but it’s nice to be able to switch off the thoughts a little bit. I hope you feel a bit more positive after your appointment too xx

  • Thank you for your concern, both of you. It really helps to know I can chat to someone xx

  • Oh that’s good sounds like what they done with me, did they mention anything about the lump being suspicious or mention how or when you will get your biopsy results? Just another waiting game for both of us now xx

  • Not really, to either question. The ultrasound doctor said there was a small lump and then a node which may or may not be attached, and that she couldn’t see what was going on in between as the breast tissue is very dense. She said they might call me back for an MRI. She didn’t mention times for results but said I would get a call with an appointment when they were ready, and that I should take someone with me. I didn’t get the feeling that she meant it would be bad news- I assumed she would say that to everyone, but now I’m wondering! 

  • That’s really good though, I’m hoping they just said  that to me to maybe prepare me just incase, on the other hand I think if it was all fine they wouldn’t of said that at all, maybe that’s why I still feel quite anxious maybe…..only time will tell I suppose. Let’s hope neither of us are waiting too long xx

  • She didn’t really give anything away, good or bad, so I’m none the wiser! She was so lovely in the way that she spoke to me though, and mentioned how treatable breast cancer is now. She said that even if it was bad news, for most it means a few tough months of treatment, but then you are out the other side of it. I’m sure it’s not that simple for some, but it made me feel a little more positive. Fingers crossed for results for both of us now xx

Reply
  • She didn’t really give anything away, good or bad, so I’m none the wiser! She was so lovely in the way that she spoke to me though, and mentioned how treatable breast cancer is now. She said that even if it was bad news, for most it means a few tough months of treatment, but then you are out the other side of it. I’m sure it’s not that simple for some, but it made me feel a little more positive. Fingers crossed for results for both of us now xx

Children
  • Awww that’s a lovely thing to say, we’ll keep us all up to date and keep our fingers crossed for the other ladies in the chat. It’s been lovely to be able to discuss fears and anxieties with others going through the same kind of thing and I really appreciate each and every one of you for taking the time to respond xx

  • Likewise- it makes such a difference, doesn’t it? I don’t want to keep going on about it to my husband, and I can’t expect him to understand how I’m feeling. I stumbled across this forum when I was randomly googling in a panic, and I’m really glad I did! I’m grateful for everyone here who has responded to me in any way, and I hope I’m able to be supportive to others in the same way xx

  • Sounds like you've been well looked after today which must have made you feel so much more at ease. I really hope the wait for you and lebell isn't too long and you both get the best news. Xx 

  • Yes-they were all lovely. Fingers crossed for us all now xx

  • HI GoonerGirl,

    The doctor is right. Treatments have made great advances in the past few years. I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer. When I was first diagnosed, I expected the same awful journey. As it turned out, I have had 2 bouts of cancer since we lost mum and there was just no comparison at all between the diagnosis, treatment and after care that we both had. I am still her 14 years after diagnosis. I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. Here's hoping that all turns out well for you and for Lebell.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hey Lebell. How are you feeling? Have you had any news on your biopsy results yet xx

  • Hi Bobbins,

    how are you today? 

    not yet, I rang in Tuesday and she said my name was on the list to be discussed at the meeting but that my results weren’t back so they wouldn’t be discussing me that day. The breast care nurse rang me Tuesday afternoon and said she has put me down to go in on Friday afternoon, however that’s only providing my results are back in time, she said she will call me by 12 on Friday if they are not back, and if I don’t hear anything to go in for 2 to get my results. So I’m crossing my fingers they are back but the consultant strikes are stressing me just incase the meeting gets cancelled xxx

  • Ahhh, I really hope they are back in time. Is it the 29th you go? Sounds like they'll have them back in time for that, though? I've all my fingers and toes crossed but if nothing else at least you'll have your answers and a plan. Sending you lots of love and hugs x

  • I really hope so it will be a week and half since they were done so I really hope so. The nurse was lovely though and told me not to worry and that I was on her radar and she wouldn’t forget about me, she also said she will be present at my appointment (not sure what that means or if that’s normal:/ xx

  • Lebel 

    the breast nurses are always in appointments for support good news or bad so try not to worry if she said she’s going to be there it don’t mean bad news it’s just support xxx 

    my breast nurse was my best friend throughout my journey would never have coped without her xx