Two yrs ago this month I had a small section of my right breast removed due to a mass with "bad cells". It was first passed off as a cyst, then months later (in the same day) I had a sonagram followed by a mamogram (and I heard the words: "I don't know WHAT that is...") Not very reassuring coming from a doctor. So, instead of doing a biopsy like I requested, they sent me home. Months later I developed a large swollen, painful mass in the same area that needed to be removed.

About a week ago I noticed a lump is back in the same region. I'm going to call and see my doctor, and I'm honestly hoping this is just a cyst. (the Breast Cancer center made me feel stupid last time, and didn't applogizing). That is where my doctor will likely send me.
I guess I wanted someone to tell me it's probably "just a cyst" although I know you can't do that... I thought by writing this it would force me to make the phone call... I guess I'm scared.

Thanks for reading.

I, too, hope it is just a lump and wish you the best. I will say a prayer for you as well. Take Care.

Of course you're scared with every right to be! We're here for you. Whatever you need friends, prayers, kind words of support. Please keep us informed of your situation. Wishing and hoping you the best.

I hope it's nothing serious and for your sake "It's just a cyst". That's what I'm telling you ....it's just a cyst. Now as soon as you can make an appointment with the DR or I'll high tail it up to Maine and drag your butt there! (said out of love of course)

I'll keep you in my prayers.

You're in my prayers! Keep your chin up, we're here for you!!

Good Luck,
Gail

I wish I lived closer too because I'd go with you in a heart beat.

I had a huge lump in my left breast with some smaller lumps when I was breastfeeding baby #2. My goodness did it hurt. Mine where cysts that after some time (a few months after breastfeeding) they finally went away. Mine never came back though. This really bothers me that yours have. Your DR's should have took you more seriously.
Hopefully, yours is not too painful right now. I hope beyond hope that it's just a cyst. Please keep us posted when you go to the DR.
You better go or all us CCers will come up for a quick kidnapping and a hog tied visit to the DR. (once again....out of love of course)

This sounds so scary and I am so sorry you have to endure it. Major (((hugs))) to you and best hopes that it is just "nothing". I am also so sorry that the BC center made you 'feel stupid.' That is just AWFUL. I know you are in no condition right now to do so (meaning, you're too busy being worried about your health!) but you should really write someone there a letter about your experience. Women's health, and especially breast health, is way too serious a matter to make women feel stupid for "overreacting" to anything. I thought my tissue felt weird a few months ago, so the dr. saw me right away and even though she didn't think it was anything, she referred me for ultrasound right away. The ultrasound tech and then the dr. on call assured me that it was normal tissue but both of them went to great lengths to reassure me that being worried and COMING IN was totally, 100% the right thing to do.

Nobody should ever make you feel sheepish about this! Anyway so they are not doing women any favors if there are people on staff effectively scaring people away by making them feel stupid for thinking they might have a problem, (What do you think the point of all those self-exams is??!!) and if you are up to it you should really let someone there know it.

Sending good thoughts your way!!

Good morning Kristi,

You've called and made the appointment, right? Please do that this morning. I have this issue and my Dr. says I just have "lumpy breasts", heck if they weren't "lumpy" they probably wouldn't exist

Seeing that you've had cysts/lumps in the past, it's most likely just more of the same, you'll feel better knowing it's not anything more.

I was disappointed to hear that the staff at the Breast Center treated you that way. The 2 places I've been to had such positive, upbeat technicians working for them, and they immediately put my mind at ease. Is there another one in your area that you could go to instead?

I know it's easy to say, but stay positive, and be proactive and call today for that appt.

Sending you positive, happy thoughts, keep us posted!
Deb

I've already had a brush with pre-cancerous cells, and had the mass removed .
~ I guess I'm cancer-phobic because my Dad died in his forties from cancer. My previous experience has made me more diligent regarding lumps. Better safe than sorry... what are the odds of it coming back in the same spot if they removed the cells?

Three years ago (when I showed the lump to my midwife) I was 32 and said: "I'm too young for breast cancer, right?". She just looked at me, stepped back and said she had diagnosed a 22yr old with breast cancer the year before. Ok, not the answer I was looking for... but truthful.

Anyway, thanks for the suport. I'm calling right after I finish typing this.

Kristi,
Lots of good thoughts and prayers headed up to your neck of the woods. You have to be a really strong advocate for yourself these days! Keep us posted!
Jodie

I doubt anyone's still watching this but I have an update.

I did see my doctor, and a specialist and had to have tests done, etc. The mass has to come out, so there goes another chunk of my right breast. (better that than the alternative, I suppose.) I don't know if I can take the wound packing again... that was the most painful experience of my life. It made my C-sec seem like a walk in the park (I didn't take ANY painkillers after she was born, if that tells you anything.)

Over the weekend, I ran into an old friend's mother who told me her daughter (who's 32) is battling breast cancer and it has spread to her lungs and brain. She has a young son and is an amazing person. Her's was also detected as a result of an infection in the breast. Why are so many woman getting breast cancer in this day and age? It really pi$$es me off!!!

Kristi, I'm sorry that this is happening and that you have to have another chunk removed. I wish I lived a heck of a lot closer because I wouldn't be typing this but would be at your doorstep.
You have my digits, give me a call sometime. (boy, that sounded like a bad pick up line didn't it.)

Well of course we are still watching this, and thank you for sharing your update although you could have been a little more considerate and made the news GOOD. Sorry, just a lame attempt at humor in light of your bad news and upcoming challenges. Best hopes going out to you that this time it will be less painful and that your long term results WILL be nothing but good news. For YOUR sake, not ours .

I'm real sorry the news wasn't better too, and am with you as you go forward to deal with another surgery. We will all be thinking of you, and waiting to hear how well you are doing!

My dear SIL has breast cancer (for the second time) and at the moment is not planning to do the necessary surgery...I really wish she would, I'm afraid for her if she doesn't have it.

You are a very strong person, even though you may not think so, and you will come out of this stronger than ever.

Here's a good pickup line: "Do your eyes bother you? Well, they bother the heck out of me!" Actually had this one used on me many years ago...sorry to say that it worked! LOL

Kristi, I didn't know you were going through this. I'm so sorry. I will keep you in my prayers. Keep us posted. ((((HUGS))))

im also sorry for the news you have received, im thinking of you and hope you come through this alright. Please keep us posted. Now, heres my attempt at humor, my BF used this when we were dating. First he leaned over and looked at the tag in my shirt. then he says "just what i thought, made in heaven." Cheesy, i know, but sweet, and you know what? Weve been married for almost 3 yrs now! once again, please keep us posted and im thinking of you!

Hi Kristi! Sorry to hear the news too. Hope you get through it quick and it isn't as painful as last time. Big hugs to you.

Oh Kristi, I'm so sorry.......sent you a PM.

Big (((((((((((hugs)))))))))))

Deb

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words and the humor especially. Humor is how I cope with most things, although over the internet my humor probably comes across a bit strange/demented rather than funny.

I was just talking to my husband about this again. (He's probably getting tired of it, although he'll never say it). It still freaks me out. I'm not very good at living in the moment... I'm hoping it's the same as last time: remove it, and wait and see. No chemicals, drugs, etc. Don't you just love the "waiting game?" This is where being a visual artist helps... I think I've got enough emotional material to last me a lifetime.

I'm going to watch our Brian Regan DVD tomorrow and have a good laugh. He has a way of bringing me to tears (laughing) no matter what's going on. He's hilarious without being disgusting or vulgar. I just love his whole bit on cell phones and "Dora the Explorer". Good stuff!

Uh sure I have a song.... I'm the map, I'm the map, I'm the map, I'm the map...
I love that guy!!!!

My Mum and Grandma (Mum's Mum) both found out on the same day last year that they have breast cancer - very strange.

For what it's worth I think that every person who has cancer is going to be different (so there is no right way to deal with it or handle it) but I know that I'd rather find out sooner rather than later - these days there's so many more options, and so much more that can be done for you.

Both my Mum and Grandma had their breast off within weeks of each other - both looking pretty good at this stage, with mum on chemo - mum's biggest worry at the moment is her lopsided chest!! (I didn't realise how big her boobs were until I saw one without the other!! )

Good luck with everything and yeah, keep laughing - if you don't use it you'll lose it (humor in this case!)!!