Who found their own 'lump'

Shirley,

Ditto from me; you have so much to live for so keep positive . ..   I'm just so glad you had the 2nd check-up and are now on your way to recovery. I'm just so annoyed that, despite tv ads reminding ladies over 50 to get their mammogram, so many are finding their own lump and that so many under 50 yrs are being diagnosed [and being told 'it can't be cancer - you're too young'. Maybe GP's should be given a refresher in that cancer doesn't discriminate with age and doesn't always start exactly in the breast where it will show up on a mammogram. Mine showed up in the ultrasound scan - thank you to the Dr who ordered both.

Keep well Shirley; sending healing thoughts your way

I went to the doctors few years ago and said I had a pea size lump in my breast. After an exam the female doctor said it was nothing to worry about and asked if I breast fed my children. I did, so told her that I did. She said its probably a bit of a blockage and she could send me for a mammogram but I would have to pay for it. I would be wasting my money she said as it is NOTHING! She said if I want to throw my money a way she would send me. I felt a little silly and said no if she doesn't think it's anything as I dont have money to throw away. Just over 12 months ago I went to a different female Doctor and told her my breast was really hurting when I got my periods and of course I know that is a normal thing but it was really sore and getting sorer. I just turned 50. She said I am probably starting menopause. She sent me for an internal ultrasound. The lady doing the ultrasound says no your not starting menopause. The female doctor did not seem concerned. 12 months later It's still getting worse so I ring up to make an appointment and no female doctors available so I said Ill take anyone. I got this lovely male doctor and explained the soreness in my breast. He asked politely if he could feel the breast. I showed him the hardness and he was immediaetly aware that something was not right. He sent me for an mammogram the next day, a biopsy the day after that and made an appointment for the day after that for me to see a specialist surgeon. That was October 2012. My left breast was completely removed in November and I am now going through chemo.

The lump was 17mm and I had 27 lymp nodes removed of which 3 had cancer in them. When I did eventually return to the recent female Doctor I advised her that when lady says her breasts are hurting it would be a good idea to examine the breast before sending off for ultrasounds etc. If she had felt the breast maybe this could have been found at least 12 months earlier. Not happy about it but even more angry at the first Doctor years ago. I just want to survive now and will do what I can as I have 2 young children 14 and ll years. A loving husband who is helping me through all this and some very helpful friends that are really kind and supportive. Thanks for listening ladies!

I went to the doctors few years ago and said I had a pea size lump in my breast. After an exam the female doctor said it was nothing to worry about and asked if I breast fed my children. I did, so told her that I did. She said its probably a bit of a blockage and she could send me for a mammogram but I would have to pay for it. I would be wasting my money she said as it is NOTHING! She said if I want to throw my money a way she would send me. I felt a little silly and said no if she doesn't think it's anything as I dont have money to throw away. Just over 12 months ago I went to a different female Doctor and told her my breast was really hurting when I got my periods and of course I know that is a normal thing but it was really sore and getting sorer. I just turned 50. She said I am probably starting menopause. She sent me for an internal ultrasound. The lady doing the ultrasound says no your not starting menopause. The female doctor did not seem concerned. 12 months later It's still getting worse so I ring up to make an appointment and no female doctors available so I said Ill take anyone. I got this lovely male doctor and explained the soreness in my breast. He asked politely if he could feel the breast. I showed him the hardness and he was immediaetly aware that something was not right. He sent me for an mammogram the next day, a biopsy the day after that and made an appointment for the day after that for me to see a specialist surgeon. That was October 2012. My left breast was completely removed in November and I am now going through chemo.

The lump was 17mm and I had 27 lymp nodes removed of which 3 had cancer in them. When I did eventually return to the recent female Doctor I advised her that when lady says her breasts are hurting it would be a good idea to examine the breast before sending off for ultrasounds etc. If she had felt the breast maybe this could have been found at least 12 months earlier. Not happy about it but even more angry at the first Doctor years ago. I just want to survive now and will do what I can as I have 2 young children 14 and ll years. A loving husband who is helping me through all this and some very helpful friends that are really kind and supportive. Thanks for listening ladies!

I too was in the shower Jan 2011 and noticed a large lump and the nipple had inverted, having a family history I knew that wasn't a good sign. My prior breast screen mamm was all clear 18 months earlier. I had Mammogram, Ultrasound and core biopsy, with Mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy. A month after Mastectomy I had complete axillary clearance as it had spread to lymph nodes. Then I had chemo and now on Arimadex. I had been going along so well until this new year exactly two years after diagnosis. Suddenly I ended up in hospital with pneumonia (where it came from I don't know). I had IV antibiotics etc and was only out of hospital three weeks when I had to call ambulance and was readmitted with the pneumonia and pleurisy. I am home now and nearly finished oral antibiotics, but don't feel it is cured this time either. I have never smoked, am active, so really questioning now why. 

I too was in the shower Jan 2011 and noticed a large lump and the nipple had inverted, having a family history I knew that wasn't a good sign. My prior breast screen mamm was all clear 18 months earlier. I had Mammogram, Ultrasound and core biopsy, with Mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy. A month after Mastectomy I had complete axillary clearance as it had spread to lymph nodes. Then I had chemo and now on Arimadex. I had been going along so well until this new year exactly two years after diagnosis. Suddenly I ended up in hospital with pneumonia (where it came from I don't know). I had IV antibiotics etc and was only out of hospital three weeks when I had to call ambulance and was readmitted with the pneumonia and pleurisy. I am home now and nearly finished oral antibiotics, but don't feel it is cured this time either. I have never smoked, am active, so really questioning now why. 

Good Luck you sound well prepared, I go to see the Oncologist tomorrow so I'm right behind you. Hope all goes well for you and you have an easy journey through your treatment.

Karen x

Good Luck you sound well prepared, I go to see the Oncologist tomorrow so I'm right behind you. Hope all goes well for you and you have an easy journey through your treatment.

Karen x

Well here I am and so soon and all that... Chemo day one tomorrow, my cocktail of choice (not) is docetaxel with  a splash of cyclophosphamide to top it all off nicely, apparently 4 rounds will do the trick. Have the 'chemo kit' ready to go, a big thank you to you all for tips on what goodies may help in this rally race. Got my special toothpaste, stuff if I can't poo, stuff if I poo too much, recipe for mouthwash, sanitising gel (strategically placed throughout house & in hand bag), gentle toothbrush, gentle body wash, body moisturiser (all natural) ,head scarves, my 'going out hair' (wig),  sense of humour still intact, and the list goes on.....  Chin chin :o)