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Susiebuddy
Veteran Member

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 858

Posted 10/30/2005 10:21 PM (GMT -7)

Hello

I have a question for anyone who has found their lumps on their own. I was doing my breast exam tonight and found another lump, this one in my left breast. It is relatively small and about 2 o'clock from my nipple, halfway back to my armpit. It feels sorta like a soft pea... I have had 3 lumps in my right breast, but 2 came up fast and felt more like grapes. Those turned out to be cysts that could be suctioned out with a needle biopsy and were b9. This is the first lump I have felt in my left breast and I was wondering what you ladies felt when you found your lumps. If it can be described anyways... I have a dr appointment, but not until November 7th.. I don't know if I want to wait that long or even if I should...

I'm not freaking out really, but am concerned.. I have had 3 lumpectomies in the past, all on the right breast, one surgically and two with the needle biopsy. The surgery one they couldn't explain what it was they took out, but it wasn't cancer. I just keep hoping that my luck continues to hold up.. I have even found a lump recently in my left leg and need to get that checked out as well.. I marked both the spots with a sharpie pen so I can find them again easily... Sorry if I'm repeating things, I guess I am a bit nervous about this... Any input on what you felt would be appreciated....

SusieBuddy

Diagnosed with U/C January 31st, 2004

Meds: Rowasa enema's -nightly

Bentyl 10mg. - at night only as needed

Culturelle-probiotic 1x a day in AM

Nexium - 1x every morning before eating

Xanax - for anxiety and nausea (only pop it when desperate)

Status: Currently in a flare since December 04' but things seem to be getting better now with more Probiotics.

gma
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 2855

Posted 10/31/2005 3:47 PM (GMT -7)

Susie, I had benign lumps in both breasts. A pea feeling lump needs to be examined and checked out. How long has it been since you were examined and had a mammogram? Let us know what happens after you see the doctor. We care and will be happy to celebrate a B-9 lump. Hugs MK

Susiebuddy
Veteran Member

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 858

Posted 10/31/2005 5:42 PM (GMT -7)

Hi MK

It's been 1 year since my last Mammo, I get them every October usually since it's bc awareness month and I won't forget that way. Yes, this lump feels like a little pea, not too soft but not too hard either. What worries me a bit is that I can't really move it around like I could all the squishy grape-like B9 cyst lumps I had before... It's hard to explain but I did get a Dr. apppointment for tomorrow at 9:45... I'll keep you posted and thanks for the reply :)

SusieBuddy

Diagnosed with U/C January 31st, 2004

Meds: Rowasa enema's -nightly

Bentyl 10mg. - at night only as needed

Culturelle-probiotic 1x a day in AM

Nexium - 1x every morning before eating

Xanax - for anxiety and nausea (only pop it when desperate)

Status: Currently in a flare since December 04' but things seem to be getting better now with more Probiotics.

Tavish
Veteran Member

Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 2237

Posted 10/31/2005 6:19 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Susie-
Unfortunately, there does not seem to be one way that cancerous lumps may be....we'll all tell you a different story. No one can tell for sure just by feel....my docs said it was moveable so probably not cancer, but they were wrong. Some hurt, some don't...some are moveable, others aren't....
Hooray for you for taking charge and being very aware of your breast "territory"....noting changes and new lumps is so important! I found mine by accident, but I knew it had not been there before...
Please don't be alarmed if they want to get an ultrasound or want to go right to biopsy....sometimes they just need more information and it is not always a sign of trouble, just a sign of a cautious doctor.

Please keep us posted. Odds are in your favor, with 80% benign findings. And remember that a solid lump can be benign too, so just because it may not be a cyst, is not automatic reason to panic.
Hang in there and keep advocating for yourself!
Lori

Susiebuddy
Veteran Member

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 858

Posted 10/31/2005 8:39 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks Lori :)

I have been through this before, but everytime it happens it still makes me nervous... understandibly of course! LOL... I just pray for good things and keep hoping my luck continues on... It really helps to have this website to post on so you don't feel totally alone.. I mean, my husband is supportive and so is my best friend, but they can't possibly really feel what I feel inside ya know? Only other people who have walked in your shoes can really understand the fear you feel.

I found this website when I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, thank goodness I caught that early and have been able to manage my disease with medicines to the point that I feel pretty good most of the time. Although, I have been flaring up just a bit lately and have increased my meds some, but stress is such a trigger and I'm in a lot of that right now so it's not a big suprise that I am flaring up a little.

You know, it's a bit funny, I recently posted here stating how you all deserve applause for the bravery in fighting the fight against b/c..., my son's stepmother and a friend of mine have recently been diagnosed with bc and I have been doing a bit of reading here to see what you guys go through with treatments, etc. I wanted to understand what they were going through a little better and now I'm posting here for myself... this lump is driving me crazy.. lol.. It's sore now cause I keep messing with it, hoping it will just go away... geezz...

Well, I won't freak out too much if they want to do more testing right away, I want to get to the bottom of this ASAP and get on with whatever needs to be done, (if anything)..

Well, my dr. appointment is tomorrow at 9:45.... I'll keep you posted

Thanks again for the reply Lori :) It's much appreciated

SusieBuddy

Diagnosed with U/C January 31st, 2004

Meds: Rowasa enema's -nightly

Bentyl 10mg. - at night only as needed

Culturelle-probiotic 1x a day in AM

Nexium - 1x every morning before eating

Xanax - for anxiety and nausea (only pop it when desperate)

Status: Currently in a flare since December 04' but things seem to be getting better now with more Probiotics.

grammy
Regular Member

Date Joined Mar 2004
Total Posts : 337

Posted 11/1/2005 4:05 PM (GMT -7)

susiebuddy,
I pray you get only good news. We are here if you need to talk.
Donna

MNlady13
Veteran Member

Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 2044

Posted 11/1/2005 7:21 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Susie, I had a lump that felt like a little pea in my left breast. Unfortunately mine was cancer. That was April 1996. My advice is have it biopsied. Better to know than to wonder. You've been down this road before, so you know how frustrating it can be. That's the way life is sometimes. Good luck. Lauri

"Go confidently into the direction of your dreams. Live the life you always imagined" Thoreau

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Susiebuddy
Veteran Member

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 858

Posted 11/1/2005 8:54 PM (GMT -7)

Hi everyone...

Ok.. I went to my doctor appointment today and she examined my breast and found another lump besides the one I found... She said the one she found feels more like fiberous breast tissue, but when I felt it, it felt exactly like a little Bee-Bee would have felt... Then she said the lump that I found felt more like a mass of some sort and that I need to get a mammo.. The part that is really hard for me is that I can't get into the brest imaging center for 3 WEEKS!!!! My apppointment is for November 21st at 9am... I don't know if I can wait that long... my friend who was recently diagnosed with B/C said I should call them back and push for an earlier appointment, and that 3 weeks is a long time to wait.. Now I'm starting to worry a bit.. Not a whole lot, but definately a bit....

SusieBuddy

Diagnosed with U/C January 31st, 2004

Meds: Rowasa enema's -nightly

Bentyl 10mg. - at night only as needed

Culturelle-probiotic 1x a day in AM

Nexium - 1x every morning before eating

Xanax - for anxiety and nausea (only pop it when desperate)

Status: Currently in a flare since December 04' but things seem to be getting better now with more Probiotics.

MicheleV
Regular Member

Date Joined Sep 2004
Total Posts : 232

Posted 11/2/2005 10:56 AM (GMT -7)

Hi Susie..I have seen you posting on the UC board with me as well! Seems we frequent the same boards..lucky us :)

If I were you, I could not wait 3 weeks either. I only had to wait about 1 1/2 half weeks for each rounds of testing. I had mass which was a complex sclerosing lesion. It was B9 in the end, but I had to have a lumpectomy and get it taken out. All the waiting time just about made my UC flare up..and Im on Imuran and have been in remission. I know its sooo hard.

Is there another imaging place that will take your insurance that you could get to? I can imagine that all this hanging over your heads during the holidays would be really hard.

Let us know what happens...

Michele

Currently in remission on 100 mg Imuran after a year of trying EVERYTHING

else!!

Susiebuddy
Veteran Member

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 858

Posted 11/2/2005 3:48 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Michele.. ya, lucky us :)

Anyhoo, I'm calling them (health insurance co.) today to see what all my options are.. I don't feel that comfy waiting 3 whole weeks... Maybe 1 week, but 3 is a bit long. I have been flaring up with my U/C as well, feeling just plain crappy the last few days and have upped my meds (Rowasa back to nightly) to try and get back into remission....lots of cramping and gas pains... YUCK. Also I have doubled up on my probiotics because I know stress can cause us to get rid of the good bacteria in our intestines as well..l absolutely HATE the waiting part, but time does go by and eventually it will all be over with. (I keep telling myself that anyways)... lol..

Take care and thanks for the replies everyone :)

SusieBuddy

Diagnosed with U/C January 31st, 2004

Meds: Rowasa enema's -nightly

Bentyl 10mg. - at night only as needed

Culturelle-probiotic 1x a day in AM

Nexium - 1x every morning before eating

Xanax - for anxiety and nausea (only pop it when desperate)

Status: Currently in a flare since December 04' but things seem to be getting better now with more Probiotics.

MicheleV
Regular Member

Date Joined Sep 2004
Total Posts : 232

Posted 11/2/2005 6:26 PM (GMT -7)

Susie, I dont even REMEMBER life at all during the whole "waiting for results" phase of my life. It was never far from my mind...even during sleep.

I had an office biopsy the day that they found my mass on the u/s and Mammo. KNowing SOMETHING (even not good news) was better than waiting til they did my MRI. But I also had my initial mammo done at a breast center where they can do biopsies as well. They asked if I wanted to wait 6 weeks but didnt recommend it. I was like ARE YOU CRAZY?? Im not waiting 6 days!!! Much less 6 weeks....

I tell ya...my UC is so crazy (I have pancolitis) that I am shocked I didnt spiral down. Meds like Rowasa and Pred werent working for me anymore..so I went to Imuran in 7/05 and I saved myself from surgery. NO side effects for me, and if I can get through breast surgery and all that stress without a major flare, Im a very happy camper.

I really hope you can stave off worse symptoms...and get something done more quickly. The waiting was worse than all the biopsies and the surgery combined.

Michele

Currently in remission on 100 mg Imuran after a year of trying EVERYTHING

else!!

MicheleV
Regular Member

Date Joined Sep 2004
Total Posts : 232

Posted 11/2/2005 6:27 PM (GMT -7)

oops..that was 7/04, not 7/05....I have been on Imuran for 15 months now.

Michele

Currently in remission on 100 mg Imuran after a year of trying EVERYTHING

else!!

Tavish
Veteran Member

Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 2237

Posted 11/2/2005 7:24 PM (GMT -7)

Susie-
I think waiting 3 weeks is harder on us mentally than anything else....obviously an emotionally draining time is hard on you too with u/c. You may want to aske them if they can get you on a cancellation list, in case there is an opening sooner.

In the mean time, try to tell yourself that worrying won't change the outcome, it won't help matters...hang in there!
L&H,
Lori

Susiebuddy
Veteran Member

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 858

Posted 11/15/2005 8:55 AM (GMT -7)

I have a bit of good news.. The breast imaging place called me yesterday and they finally got a cancellation. My Mammo is scheduled for tomorrow at 9:40am.... Thank GOD.. the waiting was not as easy as I thought it would be. My hubby is so sweet though, he didn't want me to just sit around and wait, so he took me camping this last weekend and we brought our 2 horses and had a great time! I'll let you all know tomorrow what I find out :)

SusieBuddy

Diagnosed with U/C January 31st, 2004

Meds: Rowasa enema's -nightly

Bentyl 10mg. - at night only as needed

Culturelle-probiotic 1x a day in AM

Nexium - 1x every morning before eating

Xanax - for anxiety and nausea (only pop it when desperate)

Status: Currently in a flare since December 04' but things seem to be getting better now with more Probiotics.

MicheleV
Regular Member

Date Joined Sep 2004
Total Posts : 232

Posted 11/15/2005 11:31 AM (GMT -7)

Susie...thats great! Less worrying...less stomach issues.

I hope everything goes well for you....Good luck :)

Michele

Currently in remission on 100 mg Imuran after a year of trying EVERYTHING

else!!

Susiebuddy
Veteran Member

Date Joined Feb 2005
Total Posts : 858

Posted 11/15/2005 5:08 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks Michelle

My U/C has been flaring up...I thought I was handling everything ok till that. I'm back on nightly enemas but that seems to be helping me to feel better. I'll sure be glad when this test is over tomorrow. Thanks for the reply :) Hey, I don't know where you live, but I'm going to a symposium on Inflammatory Bowel Disease tonight in Sacramento, CA.. I'll let you know if I learn anything exciting!

Take care

SusieBuddy

Diagnosed with U/C January 31st, 2004

Meds: Rowasa enema's -nightly

Bentyl 10mg. - at night only as needed

Culturelle-probiotic 1x a day in AM

Nexium - 1x every morning before eating

Xanax - for anxiety and nausea (only pop it when desperate)

Status: Currently in a flare since December 04' but things seem to be getting better now with more Probiotics.

MicheleV
Regular Member

Date Joined Sep 2004
Total Posts : 232

Posted 11/15/2005 5:47 PM (GMT -7)

Susie, I am on the bottom of CA in the OC. Maybe you can give us all some new good news over on the UC board.

I see my gastro next month and get to fill him in on all my recent breast issues. Its a SERIOUS wonder how I stayed in remission.

Post tomorrow after your visit...

Michele

Currently in remission on 100 mg Imuran after a year of trying EVERYTHING

else!!

peter pan
New Member

Date Joined Sep 2008
Total Posts : 1

Posted 9/22/2008 11:43 AM (GMT -7)

Hello,

I've jst this minute read your posting, I jst want to let you know that I'm going through a similar situation as you. In my opinion it's very natural to worry about something like this. I found my first lump when i was 18 and had to wait 6 weeks for a appointment. During that waiting period i kinda was freaking out a little, but thankfully my results were positive. I'm 25 now and have had 12 lumps removed. (a reducing bra size totally sucks ) Infact i'm going for some more biopsy results tomorrow. What stops me from worrying about it though is having a chat to my close friends & family and, i'm also one off those people that like to make it a bit off a joke. That's my coping mechanisim i guess.

I would consider contacting your breast clinic appointment centre and ask for a sooner date. My hospital is good that way. And you might even get a nice receptionist on the phone.

I hope that everything goes well.

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