Hi everyone,I have just signed up on here to try and get my head around the last week.I am not diagnosed yet.... but this is my story so far...I would really appreciate any opinions that you may have!Last Thursday, I had an appointment with a pain management doctor, as I have had an ongoing issue with my shoulder for the last 7 months. It was first diagnosed as frozen shoulder, but has not responded to physio, chiro or massage, and the pain is getting worse and worse.In short, the pain doctor told me she would not prescribe any stronger painkillers as yet, because she and her professor (she kept leaving the room to consult with him) have a strong suspicion that my symptoms were pointing to breast cancer.Wow... that was a shock!I then went to see my GP on Monday, and spoke to her about what the other Dr had said..... and asked her to do a breast examination.She found a lump in my armpit.On Monday night I had an MRI, and I am booked in for a mammogram and Ultrasound on Friday!So.... in the meantime I am going crazy of course!!Basically, my symptoms so far are....Really painful shoulder blade, neck, arm and armpit and down my left side to under my ribcage, and the side of left boob and above the boob on the same line as collarbone.if anyone has had anything similar, I would love to hear from you.Thankyou.

Many of us will readily understand the tension of waiting - some people find that the worst experience of all. Your doctors are doing the right thing, however terrifying it may be. If it is cancer, then the sooner you know, the sooner you can have treatment and the higher the chances of recovering. Remember that bit about recovery!! I didn't find a lump, my breast suddenly became rather red and tender (not worsening pain). When I did find a rather painful lump under my arm on the other side of the affected breast it was a schwannoma (non-malignant). So hard to tell at this stage. Friday's tests should give a good indication, so best I can suggest is hold on to your sanity any way you can till then and try and keep as positive about finding the cause (and then the treatment) as possible. Very best wishes for Friday.

I can understand how anxious you are for answers. Waiting for tests and results is certainly nerve-wracking business for all of us. Try and keep yourself busy & distracted if you can. I know it's easy to say, but try not to worry about what may not be. Rest assured also that if it does turn out to be breast cancer, there are so many treatment options now. I was diagnosed in Jan this year and thought I was going to die soon. Although treatments have not been pleasant, they are no where near as bad as I imagined. Soon I'll be done and on my way to a cancer-free future. Oh, and don't drive yourself crazy with google!!

Completely understand how worried you are. So hoping for a good outcome for you, ie another explanation. Sounds like you have a thorough team of Drs working with you. Take care. Kath x

Thankyou both very much.I am trying hard to not think about it.... What will be will be.. no matter how much I do or do not stress about it. lol!Good luck to you both on your journeys x

Hey 37yr old mum, Wishing you good luck for Friday. Just to let you know that I, as well as others have been told that our tumours or cancers may have been present for years so don't give yourself the added stress of what if's re the 7 months timeframe. As you say what will be will be, and I'm crossing fingers for you that it turns out to be something else. Please let us know how you get on. Xx Cath

Waiting for diagnosis | BCNA Online Network

11 Replies

primek
Member
9 years ago
How did your appointment on Friday go?
Romla
Member
9 years ago
Hoping for the best outcome for you on Friday.I too had no lump as was found deep on breastbone by mammogram but no symptoms as you describe.It is a huge shock but can vouch for amazing care given from my diagnosis in Feb thru 2 lumpectomies and radiotherapy which helped cocoon me a little as well as detailed information from BCNA .Just discovered this site yesterday as it helps to talk with someone else experiencing similar -there are some wonderful women on it -some I see you have already talked to. Keep talking online as there is always an ear to listen and support - you are not alone. God bless.
fairydust
Member
9 years ago
@37yr old mum I have had a frozen shoulder took a long time to heal . Usual frozen shoulder timeframe is 2 years to heal. I went to a physio who knew of a another doctor who gave injections of right into the shoulder blade. Very painful but very effective. On the bright side you may have an answer to treat your on going pain.
At the moment have rotar cuff shoulder injury which is getting better but again maybe six months before it is healed.
On the bc side have finished treatment cancer free at this moment. So far so good.
Lets hope your prognosis is good. I can understand it being a huge shock. best wishes.
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
I think you'll find for a large majority of us, there was no lump, both times for me in 2011 and 2015 I had no lumps, all picked up in mammos and ultrasounds. So I wouldnt say it was the most common thing that people start with a lump. I personally haven't heard of BC presenting the way they are suggesting for you. It is so very hard also when other Specialists speculate. Have the tests done, if there is anything wrong, it will be in the report but again, the best person only to talk to after that would be a referral to a Breast Surgeon. Only this specialist is able to tell you exactly what it is. So it is hard absolutely, but they could be way off base, so hang in there! xx
37yroldmum
Member
9 years ago
Thankyou Ladies!

I honestly just don't even know what to think!

I guess what I am trying to work out is the fact that "generally" people start with the lump, and most people say it wasn't painful. So I cant help but wonder if there are many out there that only had the doctor check for a lump after being told that my pain symptoms sound like BC.
I will update you all once I know anything.
Thankyou.
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
@"37yr old mum" Welcome...hoping it all turns out to be something very different for you. I never had lumps either diagnosis, hoping someone may have had a similar experience to share with you. Hold tight, get the tests out the way, knowing what is going on is half the battle honestly. Keep busy and look at 1 thing at a time, pull yourself back when you feel yourself spiraling and just deal with whats at hand right now. WE all know how difficult it is, wishing you the best. Melinda xo
socoda
Member
9 years ago
Hey 37yr old mum, Wishing you good luck for Friday. Just to let you know that I, as well as others have been told that our tumours or cancers may have been present for years so don't give yourself the added stress of what if's re the 7 months timeframe. As you say what will be will be, and I'm crossing fingers for you that it turns out to be something else. Please let us know how you get on. Xx Cath
37yroldmum
Member
9 years ago
Thankyou both very much.

I am trying hard to not think about it.... What will be will be.. no matter how much I do or do not stress about it. lol!
Good luck to you both on your journeys x
primek
Member
9 years ago
Completely understand how worried you are. So hoping for a good outcome for you, ie another explanation. Sounds like you have a thorough team of Drs working with you. Take care. Kath x
Molly001
Member
9 years ago
I can understand how anxious you are for answers. Waiting for tests and results is certainly nerve-wracking business for all of us. Try and keep yourself busy & distracted if you can. I know it's easy to say, but try not to worry about what may not be. Rest assured also that if it does turn out to be breast cancer, there are so many treatment options now. I was diagnosed in Jan this year and thought I was going to die soon. Although treatments have not been pleasant, they are no where near as bad as I imagined. Soon I'll be done and on my way to a cancer-free future. Oh, and don't drive yourself crazy with google!!