Who's had a lump removed from their breast?

[Whispersecret]

I got my first mammogram on Tuesday. Also had a follow-up ultrasound later that same day because I didn't pass the mammogram with flying colors. The results were given to my GYN, and he called yesterday to recommend that I call a breast specialist and make an appointment. I procrastinated, and now I'm regretting it.

According to everyone who's seen the film, my little lumps are most likely benign, in case you were wondering. Even the best doctor can make a mistake. I'm not freaked out, but I am, in the back of my mind, concerned. So, I will call Monday.

Anyway, my question is: if you've ever had a small lump removed from your breast, or know someone who has, just how minimal is the disfigurement? I'm sure it depends on the skill of the surgeon, so I'm just talking in general.

I know I sound so superficial--worrying more about the cosmetic aspect than the health issues--but I'm trying to think positively. You know how that goes. If I let my very vivid imagination run away with me...<shudders> (I'm already feeling a little weepy as I write this post, and I was so sure I was really okay with this.) SO! Everything is fine in there; I just have a little solid stuff that needs to be removed.

My breasts are already riddled with stretch marks, and I'm not relishing a puckered scar on top of that. And since there are two lumps, do they have to make two incisions? Can anyone reassure me this weekend, since I have to wait until Monday?

 

[Sxxyangl]

im only 20 and was terrible surprised when i doscovered a lump. it was not directly on my breats, but they arent always. it turned out to be a benign cyst. but i had it removed by a surgeon. that was a few months ago and the scar is still pink but not raised at all anymore. i think that it will look fine in another few months. the procedure took no more than 15 minutes and all i felt was the pressure and a little bit of the stitches. all in all, it was a scary experience, but i lived and am happy my lump is gone.

 

[Nicole]

I do not want to scare you but please, please, please make sure you keep that appionment. You HAVE to keep it.

Find out what the problem is and you listen to everything that Doctor has to tell you, if you start to drift off on anything he/she says then you get them to repeat it.

Whisper something like this is very hard for a woman to go through and your not thinking of the physical side at all, your being a woman going through something that is very difficult. You, like any other woamn, is dealing with this the best way SHE knows how. I say this because my Auntie has gone through this, my Auntie is STILL going through this. She had a lump two and a half inches big in her breast, the sort of lump that doesn't really show up on a Mammogram, just says something is wrong. Well when she found this out and went for a follow up appointment she was told that she had breast Cancer, having to have the offending breast removed, followed (and still going through) very heavy Chemotheropy.

What I'm saying is she did the right thing, the minute she found out that something was abnormal she was off to the Doc's to found out what, luckily she will get through this, and although she has no hair right now she does consider herself extremly lucky that she is alive. We all have to deal with the physical side of it and you shouldn't worry about doing that.

Whisper my thoughts are with you, Tuesday my time, I will have you in my mind all day babe. Please let us know how you go (if your able), and know that I'm here if you need to vent to anyone.

Whisper you are a brave woman, and you have every right to put you at # 1 while you go through this. Think of YOU and get yourself back to us.

(((((((((((((((((Whisper)))))))))))))))))

Take care

 

[Jade]

Now I feel like an asshole for my thread! OH god!

Whisper!

Oh beautiful, intelligent, sensual one... always always always remember that our scars tell the stories of our lives and are such a beautiful and unique part of who we are.

I have scars too, and all that other stuff.
You will look just wonderful I am sure of it. In fact, you will have an added experience to your life and it will be added to the you that already exists and become a part of you.

The most important thing is to stay postive and learn from EVERY experience life throws at you, as I know that you can and will.

If every day we learn, then perhaps, after all, life is worth living.

((Whisper))

PS: I realize that the "parenthesis hug" is a bunch of %#%# when all you really want and need is a REAL hug.. someone to hold you and tell you everything is going to be alright, but for now, just "imagine" you have gotten a hug okay?

 

[Ezzy]

I have had two friends who have had lumps removed, One was an Ex girl friend, although it proved to be very sensetive after the Op, the scaring was minimal.

The other is my best friend (male), he just had his surgury last month. His main problem is that he sufferes from Fybromyaalgia,so any sensation at all is painfull to him.

His wound has healed well though, and he only has a small smillie scar.

Her lump was a cyst, and his was a gynocomastic lump.


EZ http://smilecwm.tripod.com/cwm2/sleep.gif

 

[Whispersecret]

Be sure I'll be making that call on Monday. I don't dick around with medical issues, usually. I just didn't want to deal with it on Friday.

Mine is not a cyst. It's a "benign paralesion," whatever that means. The GYN said it's solid, not a cyst. Doc Oliver has reassured me that, from what I could tell him, things look positive.

I'm feeling much better about things now for many reasons. My sister was here with me last night and for a long time today. She always makes things brighter. (Plus, she's a professional massage therapist, so her magic hands helped relax me.) I think getting the worries off my chest here helped some. Certainly the encouragement and information I received from Nicole, Jade, sxxyangl, and Ezzy cheered me up. I got some nice e-mail, and Laurel loved my essay enough to give it a personal plug. Oh, and I went shopping and got new shoes and a perfect travel make-up bag. (I know that sounds trivial, but besides comfort food, buying things can often make me feel better.)

Anyway, the emotional over-reaction is over. I apologize if this lapse into personal internal conflict annoyed anyone.

 

[forgetunome]

No need to apologize!

I'm glad you had your sister there! Family and friends support is much needed when we go through unchartered waters so to speak!

I've never had a lump...yet? I hope I never do but I can only imagine what's going through your mind! Take care of yourself and know that you have a lot of people here pulling for you!

And I would say going shopping for yourself is a perfect remedy!

(((((((((((((Whispersecret))))))))))))))

We all love you!! Let us know how you are as soon as you are able!

 

[Sammyjo]

I just wanted to say that you are in my thoughts...please make sure that you go in straight away...

 

[Skitten]

I am glad to hear you are going to call on monday, this is not something you want to put off. And if the results are benign you will no it will be all right. Try not reading too much into this than has to be. Get the tests done then you will know for sure. It is scary place to be in and I wish you the best and will be thinking of you.

But medically you have to know for yourself and so whatever is the problem can be fixed before something else could make it worse than it needed to be. So make your appt. and be strong, I know you are scared which you have every right to be. Know that we are with you in spirit and hope that all will go well for you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Cheyenne]

Anyway, the emotional over-reaction is over. I apologize if this lapse into personal internal conflict annoyed anyone.

Annoyed? Not a chance! It is a great opportunity to remind all the women of the board to get their mammograms done.

For those of you who haven't gone for your xray because you fear that it will hurt, go anyway. It pinches a little from the pressure of being squashed, but doesn't really hurt if you have a good xray tech. If you're over 40, having a mammogram should automatically be part of your annual exam. Go. Find the lumps early and get them taken care of.

And for the men on the board- why not ask your SO if she has had a mammogram recently? If she is over 40, encourage her to go!

 

[*Eve*]

I know they say you should start having regular mammograms when you hit your thirties but I'm 24 and have never had a one but have had just regular physicals where the doctors would feel for lumps I give myself self examinations in the shower, but my grandmother had breast cancer so should I start now?

 

[Cheyenne]

Eve, ask your doc. I have no history of breast cancer in my immediate family so I waited until I hit 40. But I am sure there are guidelines for when younger women should have mammograms sooner.