I’ve read lots of forums recently to help with my recent health scare and I wanted to share my story.
About 6 weeks ago I found a lump in my left armpit. I didn’t think too much of it as I assumed I had just irritated my skin shaving. I went off on holiday and when I came back the lump was still there. The lump wasn’t that painful but I couldn’t stop touching it which I think made it feel worse. After 4 weeks, I went to my GP expecting to be told I had a cyst or something really trivial instead I left with an urgent referral - cancer suspected. I was devastated. I spent the next few days reading everything online about cancers, breast cancer, treatment, survival rates - basically driving myself insane with worry. I had diagnosed myself with breast cancer, lymphoma and leukaemia to name just 3 possibilities. I wasn’t sleeping and felt awful.
My hospital appointment was today, 8 working days after I saw my GP. I was assuming the worst while my husband remained positive that it was nothing to worry about.
I spent approximately 4 hours in the clinic and it was one of the most stressful days of my life. I met with a consultant who examined me and said the lump didnt give her cause for concern but because I am over 40 (I’m 46) she was going to do a mammogram and possibly an ultrasound.
The initial mammogram was ok - a wee bit uncomfortable but not painful. Getting called back in a second time sent me into panic - what had they seen that required more pictures !? I almost fainted I was so scared. Getting called in a 3rd time almost finished me off. I was sure they must have found something. Turns out that with your first mammogram they do take lots of photos as the doctor has nothing to compare it to and they want to be 100% sure they see everything so my experience was quite normal.
After the mammograms I was then taken for an ultrasound to check the areas of concern which wasn’t actually my original lump but the opposite breast !
The doctor doing the ultrasound was amazing, she talked through everything she could see and told me there and then that nothing was wrong. Areas of concern were just ‘blobby bits’ which is just my breast tissue. My lymph node was healthy but looked a bit swollen , maybe I had been fighting an infection.
My worry turned to overwhelming relief. My poor husband had waited patiently ( I think he was starting to get worried with all the tests) - I walked out and gave him a big thumbs up.
I then went back to see my original consultant who told me that they had put me through the wringer but everything was perfect.
My advice to anyone in a similar position, don’t go crazy on google, don’t assume lots of tests mean a problem and more importantly never put off getting a lump checked out. I was very lucky but one of the many women sitting beside me in gowns today might not get such good news.
I am grateful to the NHS for the quick referral and thorough testing.
