Found a breast lump 9 weeks postpartum after giving birth to my premature identical twin boys. I haven't slept or eaten in days. I honestly can't cope

Hi all, my names Jess and I'm 34. I have a 3 year old daughter and have recently given birth to premature identical twin boys 9 weeks ago. My husband and I have struggled since getting the boys home and as a result I've suffered with severe anxiety and depression. Last night I was in the bath and was checking my breasts and was probably determined to find something due to my health anxiety and guess what I did. I can't say for sure its an obvious lump but I have some very dense tissue that feels rigid when I move my fingers over it. Can't tell for sure if its the same on the other side but I've definitely convinced myself one side is bigger and raised.

So today I visited the gp and she examined me for what seemed like 20 min. She agreed and said she could feel something squishy and rubbery like and said she didn't know whether it could be down to my hormones (having my 1st horrendous postpartum period) or something else. She asked if I had breastfed and I said I only expressed for 3 weeks and ended early January so she happily ruled that out. She didn't know whether it warranted a refferal so she said she will speak with her colleague and I would recieve a text later with the outcome. I've recieved that text and all it goes on about is suspected urgent cancer referral. When i was 17 i also found a lump in my breast when i was in the shower. Once again i was probably looking for it as i had just lost my mum to cholangiocarcinoma. I was reffered to the breast clinic the day after my mums funeral where they scanned me and said I basically have lumpy breasts and there was no masses seen. Being 17 i knew the risk was really low but now I'm 34 I'm really starting to panic. If I wasn't freaked out before I well and truely am now. I haven't slept or eaten in two days, I cry all day long believing that I'm going to die and miss my babies grow up. Im having panic attacks left right and centre and feel sick to my stomach all day long, I honestly can't cope.

Can anyone put my mind at rest or help me cope with some of these issues as I'm making myself physically sick with worry and feel like I cant care for for my babies properly. They have had a rough start with 5 and a half weeks in the nicu and another hospital admission just only last week. I just feel like there is always something from stopping our family from looking forward to the future as my husband is also having investigations due to severe rectal bleeding.

Apologies if post sounds thrown together and a bit gibberish. I'm literally only functioning on adrenaline at the moment.

Thanks, for listening.

  • Absolutely, attending the appointment is key! Ive just recieved a letter this morning saying that I've been reffered and if I've not heard anything by the 24th February to contact them. We've just had half term this week but unfortunately not been able to do anything with my daughter as my boys have been unwell and then the initial shock of this has put me off doing anything at all. Once we get our appointment date its sort of a goal to work towards regardless if its good news or bad news at least the road to recovery begins! I've had broken sleep anyway because of the boys but I'm finding it hard to go to sleep when they are because thats when my minds most active.

  • Oh hun you going to honestly be fine!! I just keep telling myself that even if it is the worst case scenario I’ll be fine just keep telling urself that google is another downfall been reading too much online and has made me feel like absalute ***! But we can do this! And we are going to do this regardless of the outcome I’m wishing you all the best of luck at your appointment and whatever the outcome I’ll update on here definitely xx

  • Its so unbelievably hard not to Google, its the only thing I do when I want answers and half of the time I don't like what is said. We have got this! Hardest part surely is taking that first step and going to the GP. Our families need us and I know im going to try my absolute best to carry on as normal (whatever normal is lower days lol). I'll look forward to hearing from you again. Look after yourself and send me a private message if you need to talk x