Anxious newbie!

Hi all! 
so this is my 1st time ever posting here. I have been reading a lot of your posts and found some comfort. Although I have a lot of family around me I find it hard to tell anyone what im going through.

So about 1 year ago I started getting really itchy nipples more so my left nipple, and has worsened to this day. I was very laid back and never checked my breasts. On and off I would look at my breasts thinking they look a little abnornal, but just ignored.

So one day at work i had an extreme urge of itching and went in the toilets to itch a collegue suggested I make a routine drs appt I just laughed it off. I have not changed washing powders or used and perfume scent. I have also tried over the counter creams thinking it may be due to dry skin but no luck! 
ok so i then went hine and took a look at my breasts... My heart sank.. I could see pigemtation going from my nipple to breast in large patches, the nipple edge is all jaggered, i am have open type pores on breast ( very fine) and im not sure if i have stretch marks Because they are not red just deep white lines like scars. I also have a firm solid lump abt 2cm on the top of my left breast and 3cm solid to the left. I also have a lump in my left underarm. 
saw GP last friday 7th august and have now got a hospital appt for the 19th august.

when I went to see the gp she told me to lie down with bra off. She stood there for about a minute in silence just looking. She checked and said my left underam seems 'fuller' whatever that means. She also confirmed lumps. I was asking her if she thought my skin was thicker etc she just lets just get you seen by a breast specialist. 
so now here I am thinking all sorts but I just dont feel right within myself. Im getting very lathargic and tired throught the day. 
i got my appt letter through the post today, it wasnt your normal blue nhs one. It was a letter from the GP saying they had booked the appt and no confirmation letter will be sent.... is this a sign of urgency?????

I just want some answers beforehand. My mums first cousin was also diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 45. I am 38 years old.

Apologies for this long winded post.. any reliplies would be much appreciated thank you all ️

  • Hi my lovely

     

    Well what a worry for you. All the symptoms you have must be worrying especially what we read on google searches etc. 
    The hospital have a 2 week window where you have to be seen. So you should get an app soon. I called the breast clinic to check they had received my referral so so that tomorrow and ask when you would expect an appointment. The team at the breast clinics are amazing and will be very helpful as they are so aware of how worried you will be.

     

    Hope this helps hun.

     

    xxx

     

     

  • Thank you so much for the reply! 
    I have my appt for the breast clinic on the 19th august. I have been using dr google which I dont think is helping. I really appreciate your reply ️ 
    I guess im just looking for answers maybe for someone just to say all these are normal symptoms.. but my 6th sense has been saying otherwise. I have just not been feeling myself, and all these things to be happening with my breast I just keep thinking this could be cancer. 

  • I'm no expert but your symptoms are worrying. The encourageing thing in all this is that you are now going to be seen and if it is you can get the treatment you need. I know how worrying it is but it's the waiting and not knowing that is certainly worse than the knowing and start treatment believe me. Ive just had my second Chemo treatment today for grade 3 breast cancer. 6 months of chemo followed by surgery. 
    The most important point in all of this is that you are now going to be seen in 8 days. 
    Try to focus on that. 
     

    Always here if you need me xx

  • Im so sorry to hear you have grade 3 cancer I pray your treatment goes with success and you beat it. 
    yes, the waiting and not knowing is most definantly the worse. I keep thinking im being silly.. why am I worrying but like I said.. something deep down is saying you should be worried. 
    can I ask what your symptoms were and how did you find out? 
    im sooo glad I have found this site where I can share my feelings. Im getting some relief!!! And thank you for not sugar coating and saying there is nothing to worry about! Only the person going through or has been through can relate to the distress.

    im here if you ever need to talk xxxx

  • Yes this site has been so helpful for me too. I am writing to a lady who is around the same time treatment wise as me and talking to her is so refreshing and useful. 
    I found a 4cm lump which was hard but no other symptoms at all. It wasn't painful either. In a way I just knew it wasn't normal as all the info I have read was cysts we're soft to touch and painful. 
    Im 52 with no breast cancer in my family. 
     

    xx

  • You are such a brave lady to overcome this!

    I hope that since you have started treatment you will fully recover! 
    thank you so much again for your lovely post.. I really appreciate it xxx

  • No problem.

    please message me again as I'm happy to talk anytime xx 

    Good luck on the 19th xxx

  • I will do, and thank you very much xxx

  • Hi Sapphire Just wanted to say hi from another anxious Newbie - my lump is somewhere different and I didn't have a clue about it (well hidden in the inner depths of my body) until 29th June. 

    My appointment is also on 19th August (for a CT scan) so we can count-down together.  

    I feel quite a few wheels have been set in motion so the more and the sooner the specialists are involved the more I can breathe.  I don't yet know what to expect (could be something or nothing) but consultant is pushing for me being seen as a priority so at least I don't feel I'm being left hanging.  Hope you can focus on something else before next week.
    All the best and also all the best to Loulou