Forum Discussion

the_Foxs_lady's avatar
the_Foxs_lady
Member
12 years ago

The Fox's Lady

I found my lump when I was in the shower.  It wasn't there "recently".  It was about the size of a large marble.  The first thing I noticed was that it hurt when I moved it....and it ached afterwards.  I checked it again, thinking it must have been a mistake...but on checking I realized it wasn't and what was a little sore hurt worse after the second check.

I had a history of multiple lumps since 1998 when I found my first lump.  The mammogram showed none, the ultra sound showed 11 on one side and 7 on the other.  All cysts. 

So another cyst would not be cause for concern, except that this one was sore, so I thought it may have been infected or something.

Or something ended up being cancer. 

One lump that I could feel was invasive.

There was a second complicated lump that appeared to be connected.

There were other lumps (hopefully cysts) in both breasts.

4 core biopsies were taken from the bigger one and the needle biopsy in the smaller one didn't cause it to "pop" so they endeavoured to drain it.

This was the start of my journey.

I had a lumpectomy to remove the two lumps.....but they found more and didn't get margins.  At the time all of my lymphs were removed.

So I had another operation to get everything and get clear margins.

They didn't they found more in situ cancer.

So there was a mastectomy and the end result was that the breast was totally diseased.

Diagnosis was grade 3 stage 3. 

And then the journey began.

I am interested in hearing everyone's own story.

I know that they will all be different and personal.

mammogram

1 Reply

  • CurlySue's avatar
    CurlySue
    Member
    12 years ago

    I found a lump in the right breast over 20 years ago. Felt like a hard pea sized lump.... it was the time when there were many commercials on TV about checking yourself .... I was taking a shower just after seeing the add. I had a lumpectomy and it turned out to be nothing. I was 19.

    Last year mum asked me about my cholesterol.... and given her's was a little high suggested I get tested....so off I go to the local GP, whilst I was there I said that I should probably have a Pap smear and mamogram given it had been a while since the last one.

    2 weeks later, I went for the mamogram, quickly followed up with an altrasound in which I was told to go back to my doctor first thing in the morning....I figured something was very wrong.

    I had 2 lumps in the left breast, they were certain it was cancer. Straight to the surgeon, followed by biopsy which confirmed grade 3 aggressive. In fact the surgeon confirmed that both were cancer, in fact over 45% of my breast was covered with cancer cells.... you can tell as they show up as little white dots. Within a week I was in hospital having a mastectomy, the results showed the right clearence for one tumour but the other was not so, four weeks later started chemo.

    Both the surgeon and the oncologist asked me what made me go out and get tested..... I told them the cholestrol story and they said "you are very lucky, another 3 months and it would have been too late".  So ladies, tell your friends not to wait until they are 50 to get regular tests, I would have been dead if I didnt get checked earlier.

    By the way- I could'nt feel a thing and neither could my GP -I was 43.

    I am now 4 months post chemo and have another 3-4 months before getting tested again..... its a waiting game now but I am positive all will go well.

    Thanks Mum......