Well done, @Hubby2021 for stepping up to the plate & supporting your wife so well and finding the lump in the first place.
It is always very confronting, having to strip off in front of complete strangers and we've all been there. (Many of us become a bit immune to it after a while but not always 100% comfortable with it.)
As the girls have mentioned above - definitely ask to be present for the ultrasound and definitely be present with the Drs/Surgeons meetings if she has to go down that path. I also had cysts that were picked up in my mid 20s ... and my lump was found in late 2017, 45 years later ... I am coming up to my 5th year anniversary of diagnosis & surgery.
Keep in mind that many medical professionals are on leave from Xmas to mid Jan ... so if you DO need to book in to see a surgeon (and that would only be if a biopsy was found to be positive to cancer cells) their phone messages will be monitored by their Breast Care Nurse & you should still be able to make an appointment, even tho the rooms are shut, as happened with me. My biopsy (between Xmas & new year) came back on Jan 5th & I spoke with the BC Nurse & booked an appointment for mid Jan - I saw the surgeon on his first day back at work, had another test the next day, & surgery the day after that!
(Where abouts are you? State/City? You can add it to your profile.) We may have knowledge we can share with you (privately or on this post) re surgeons/Oncs in your area etc
I'd be surprised if they don't allow you in to the US room, so no harm in asking. They can only say 'yay or nay' and highlighting BOTH your concerns (particularly your wife's anxiety) may help facilitate you being in the room with her - but some US rooms are actually very tiny - about 4-5m x 4-5m - with just enough room for the US machine, a desk for the screens and the bed & a chair to put the clothes on. The ultrasound technician is looking at the screen virtually 95% of the 'exam', as they take pics of any spots they see that may need exploring/biopsy ... It can be a bit messy for your wife too, as the technician needs to put a gel over the entire breast (and onto the chest & under the armpit) so you may even be able to help clean her up afterwards, as it is virtually impossible to get it all off yourself, before putting her top back on.) Most US operators warm the gel up so it isn't a total shock to the body, putting the cold gel on. But it IS messy.
They may well check both breasts as well, to be sure there isn't anything lurking there too .....
Yep, definitely stay away from Google - as every case is unique & it will just scare both of you as you'd just be guessing.
take care & all the best to you both. Fingers crossed it is just a cyst - and you can get on with your lives xx
