found a lump..... - Page 4

[amcal]

So glad to hear your update!

I definitely think counseling can help. Or even a local support group with other women who have gone through what you've gone through?

Does your cancer center offer anything?

I had melanoma last year and every time I go to the oncologist, I see signs for various support groups for the patient and for their family as well.

Many prayers for health and peace

[kjbrown92]

The breast center I just went to said they offered rides to/from treatment too. And there were support group literature as well. Did you get reconstruction?

Does a "bad feeling" say anything, or does everyone with a lump have a bad feeling about it? Went to breast specialist. Her radiologist agreed that I need a biopsy, which is supposed to be scheduled any day. I'm also supposed to go off any plant estrogens for a month (was already soy-free, but she said flax as well, and a couple of my supplements), any caffeine (caffeine-free for 14 years already except for occasional chocolate) to see if that effects the lump.

But I just have a bad feeling. My mother had it. My father's mother had it. My husband's aunt just got finished with radiation. My husband's cousin's mother just had it. It just seems to be everywhere these days. Which I guess means the odds are in my favor, right?

[zjandosmom]

kjbrown - they say 80% of breast lumps are nothing....that being said I did have a 'feeling' about my lump. I hope it's nothing for you but if it is I hope it's caught early.
I did have reconstruction but it's a 2-3 step process. Mine is stalled out while I do radiation. I am hoping to have my final exchange the end of December (before we have to start over with our deductable!). I found my lump last December so it would be about a year start to finish. I don't want anymore surgery than nec so I won't do nipples. I am thinking of tattooing some though!
Are you seeing a breast specialist? That does make a big difference.
Keep us updated.
k

* feel free to pm me if I can be of any help.

[amcal]

Goodness Mamas, I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this Thinking about you and sending up lots of prayers and positive thoughts

[kjbrown92]

Originally Posted by zjandosmom

kjbrown - they say 80% of breast lumps are nothing....that being said I did have a 'feeling' about my lump. I hope it's nothing for you but if it is I hope it's caught early.
I did have reconstruction but it's a 2-3 step process. Mine is stalled out while I do radiation. I am hoping to have my final exchange the end of December (before we have to start over with our deductable!). I found my lump last December so it would be about a year start to finish. I don't want anymore surgery than nec so I won't do nipples. I am thinking of tattooing some though!
Are you seeing a breast specialist? That does make a big difference.
Keep us updated.
k

* feel free to pm me if I can be of any help.

If it was "just" a lump, I probably wouldn't feel like this. But the letdown-y feelings I had for a couple weeks before I went looking, and off and on pain, is like a big "look at me/pay attention to me" sign that my boob is wearing.
I'm actually seeing the head of the breast center at a really good hospital. My regular doctor said that if it was his wife, he'd send her there, so that was a good recommendation, coming from him. They're supposed to call "at the beginning of the week" to set up the biopsy and I haven't heard anything yet. I get antsy waiting.

[zjandosmom]

The waiting is absolutely the hardest. There is so much of it too! Hope you get a biopsy date soon.

I am 1/2 done with my radiation treatments!!! My dh is out of town so I will be bringing all 4 kids with me today.....wish me luck!

[amcal]

zjandosmom - yay!!! Half way there!!! I wish I lived near you - I'd come help you care for the kids. (I'm in Mesa, AZ just in case )

Kathy - I wouldn't hesitate to call today if they don't call you. The waiting is the hardest part and they should know that and be understanding if you call for an update.

Many hugs and prayers to you both!

[kjbrown92]

Originally Posted by amcal

zjandosmom - yay!!! Half way there!!! I wish I lived near you - I'd come help you care for the kids. (I'm in Mesa, AZ just in case )

Kathy - I wouldn't hesitate to call today if they don't call you. The waiting is the hardest part and they should know that and be understanding if you call for an update.

Many hugs and prayers to you both!

Half done is great!! I'd watch your kids or give you a ride too (I'm in CT).

They called this morning. It was going to be next week, and I said I was going out of town on Friday (we leave for the whole summer) so they squeezed me in on Friday morning. Hooray. Less waiting. My DH picked me up yesterday by the armpits, and I almost shrieked in pain. It feels like it's getting more painful. I'm hoping they take the whole thing out either way.

[BunnySlippers]

What do the lumps feel like when you find them?
Is this something you 'know' right away is a lump when you touch it, because there are lymph nodes, milk ducts and tissue and such too.

[kjbrown92]

Originally Posted by BunnySlippers

What do the lumps feel like when you find them?
Is this something you 'know' right away is a lump when you touch it, because there are lymph nodes, milk ducts and tissue and such too.

For me, mine felt like a lump because it felt different than my other breast, and it was big enough to seem like a lump. When a lymph node is enlarged, it's usually tender to the touch, but I know where my lymph nodes are, and this wasn't the place (2 o'clock if looking at me, on my breast, right next to the nipple). Then I had DH feel it and he felt both of them and said, yeah, that one definitely felt different. For someone with fibrocystic breasts, when they're generally lumpy, I have no idea how they'd figure out the difference between a real lump and just a lumpy part.

[kjbrown92]

The nurse called yesterday. Everything was fine. I still have a followup on July 2. The lump is tender so I'm hoping they want to take it out anyway.

[amcal]

Oh Mama! Awesome news!!! Hopefully you can get some relief.

Have you tried iodine? I have lumpy, painful breasts and taking iodine (liquid dulse drops) really helps.

[WuWei]

Glad to hear Kathy. Kathy has mercury issues, there are risks to supping iodine with mercury.

Pat

[kjbrown92]

Going for outpatient surgery July 13 to take it out. Pathologist and surgeon both want it out, and then they'll biopsy the whole thing. It's a weird one with lesions, which didn't sound good. So there's still a chance it's not good. So... more waiting.

[kjbrown92]

Just heard back from the surgeon (surgery was last Tuesday). No cancer was found, though there was a spot of "atypical hyperplasia" which means I'm at greater risk for breast cancer in the future. She said we'd discuss options (including drugs to reduce risk) at my post-surgery followup next Tuesday. From another thread, I've found that those drugs increase the risk of endometrial cancer like seven-fold or something, not something I want either. So I want to see what the other options are (I've heard Vitamin D, which I'm already supplementing 10,000iu/day and iodine, which someone said wasn't a good idea for mercury-elevated me).

[zjandosmom]

so glad only ADH was found! That is good news. I would want to avoid Tamoxifen at all costs. Other than vit D not sure what else would be beneficial. What about a supplement like Breast Health? I get mine at emersonecologics.com.....just a thought. I am sure you will be monitored very closely from here on out.