When I went to my doctor about a lump I thought I had found, I fully expected him to say it was nothing. Wishful thinking, I suppose.
But to my horror, he said there was something there and it should be checked out. Before I knew what was happening, I was attending the Breast Clinic at Queen Alexander Hospital in Portsmouth where I was subjected to various procedures. I had heard that Mammograms could be very painful, as they squash your boobs flat in the machine, so I was more or less prepared for it.
It was a little uncomfortable, but I was more concerned about how flat they were squashing my boobs!
Next, I had an ultrasound scan, like the ones they do when you are pregnant. When the doctor seemed to be taking forever on the place I felt the lump, I had to ask if it was all right. Quite calmly, he said no, it was not. Then equally calmly, he said he would need to take some tissue samples with a biopsy.
At this point, I wanted to crawl away into the corner of the room, for this was not the scenario in my head. They were supposed to say that everything was fine, that I was wasting everyone’s time.
The taking of the samples didn’t hurt a bit, as my boob was numbed. Pretty much how the rest of me was feeling at that point. I was having a waking nightmare where all my hair was falling out.
In between these tests, I sat in the waiting room, watching an assortment of women cope with the same situation. Some were determined to be brave; some so relaxed and laid back. Sometimes, one would come out of a room, clearly upset. I was fast becoming one of those.
Then it was my turn to see the surgical registrar, a lovely woman with a positive, beaming smile. I sat there, fully expecting the worst possible news. However, it turned out that my lump was considered small. It hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes or anywhere else and would be removed under local anaesthetic in the outpatient clinic, regardless of what kind of lump it turned out to be.
She said I was one of the lucky ones, and that everything would indeed be fine.
I wasn’t totally convinced at this stage, but she sounded so confident, I tried hard to believe her. I won’t be able to relax until I know the results of the tests next week.
See you then!
Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie 
Been there. It’s a sh***y time … big hugs and all digits crossed.
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Thank you so much…
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Glad you are OK…as you know, I had DCIS and underwent 2 operations..either side of christmas. The main thing is we are so lucky for such advanced scanning…100 years ago, we would have died,…well, I would x
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Carol, you originally made your experience sound so uncomplicated, but two ops? Glad to hear you are continuing to be clear… They say I will be fine, but I get the results this afternoon, and until then I’m not convinced… Jaye
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They are in awe of how early they have caught it. Just as well, as its the bad one…
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I am so sorry you have needed to go through this experience. I know you will worry while waiting, but be sure there are many who will be thinking of you.
Big hug, and I really wish you well .. Rosy x
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So kind of you to be thinking of me, and yes, I am still worrying for England. Get the results this afternoon, so then I will know what happens next… Jaye
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Sounding very hopeful so far. Keeping fingers crossed for you.
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Thank you so much for caring what happens to me, Helen, almost makes finding the lump a good thing. If they really have caught it in time, I know it is a positive thing. Jaye
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What a horrible experience – but it sounds like you found it on time. Fingers firmly crossed.
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Thank you so much for your crossed fingers, Linda. I will know this afternoon what happens next, so I have everything crossed this end too…
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Fingers, toes and everything else crossed xxx
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Thank you Jennie…
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I am so sorry my friend. I’m sending you lots of positive vibes. It’s the waiting that is so horrible. I’m not going to say try not to think about it because I know it’s all you are going to think about. Big hugs girl ….. Bee 🙂 x
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Thank you so much for the hugs, saving some for this afternoon when I hear the result of the biopsy…
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You wouldn’t read about it …. I have another great big one left over for today …. It’s yours …. Bee x
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Great, I will take it with me…
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and I needed it, news was a bit grim, but still optimistic…
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Hon … I’m so sorry. Specialists are absolutely amazing nowadays. Being detected early is also another huge positive. Being positive is the best way to show it who’s boss. Well knock me over with a feather …. guess what I have left over from today? Another huge hug. It’s for you my friend and I am sending you huge positive thoughts along with it …. Bee x
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I’ll save that hug as I know I will need it in the next few weeks. I’m in fighting mode now, so that’s something… Thank you for caring, I’m chuffed to bits!
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How terrifying! Thank goodness you caught it now.
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I get the results of the biopsy this afternoon, then I can relax a bit. Thank you for thinking of me…
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