Hi

Wanting to post as I'm possibly heading for surgery and just wondering if others have had the issues I have.

April 24 woke to pain in breast and whilst showering felt a lump. GP diagnosed as infection and have antibiotics. That helped clear but small lump remained. GP referred to breast clinic who did mammogram and ultrasound and put it down to infection that was cleared.

By the August the lump was palpable again with soreness/itching went back to GP who gave antibiotics. Issue resolved somewhat but reappeared in  Feb/march and this time was referral back to breast clinic.

Mammogram and ultrasound again ultrasound showed some changes so two core biopsies taken. At not stage has anyone suggested anything sinister other than something not resolving.

Biopsies came back as granulomatous inflammation. Doctor wanted to see if it would resolve before starting steroids.

Things did calm down but once again it flared up (seems to be every 3/4 months in line with my period). This co-incided with phone consultation with doctor who then wanted to see my in clinic.

In the three Weeks between phone and clinic appt the lump to the side of nipple became very noticeable (can see under clothing) and sore etc. at clinic was sent for ultrasound (no mammogram as last one was only 4.5 months ago) and the doctor there did a fine needle aspiration (fna) on lump. The swelling there is radically reduced (hurrah) and the itching and general soreness is reduced (just some minor discomfort at site of needle insertion).

Saw breast doctor again after FNA who has suggested he would like to operate to remove this lump (which was a surprise). Has anyone had such an operation? Tbh I was a bit dazed with it all and it was clear I wasn't taking things in. He has given me another week of antibiotics (8 a day) to reduce the swelling and I'm back again next week to discuss surgery.

I'm really anxious and wondering what I can expect and what questions do I need to answer? I'm 42 and not breastfeeding etc

Thank you in advance