Scared Out of My Mind :O(

E. - I know how scared you must be. I found a lump in my right breast at the end of my freshman year in college. They did a needle biopsy and could not get any liquid out, so they knew it wasn't a cyst. I was sick with panic. More tests confirmed that is was a fibroadenoma, which is a BENIGN mass that is somewhat common in young women. They simply made a small incision and removed the lump. That was over 14 years ago. I know the waiting must be awful, but hang in there. I hope you get good news!

I haven't personally had this happen, but when I was aroun 9 or 10 my mom had a small mass on her breast and it turned out to be a large caffeine deposit, they removed it and due to the caffeine free everything she now drinks she's hasn't had a problem since.

After my first routine screening at a radiology center, I immediately got a call back - to the cancer center! I was told that they had no appointments for 10 days. I lasted a day and a half and called back and said no way was I waiting that long because I was stewing about it. They got me in the next day.
Basically, since the doctors had nothing to base my tissue density on beside the tactile exam, they couldn't tell what was normal me and what was potentially a cyst, tumor, or cancer. I marched into the cancer center and before they could hook me up to any machines, I demanded to know what exactly they were looking for and at. The techs were very kind in showing me the film with the questionable spot and what their objective was in getting the correct picture to satisfy the doctors who interpret the pictures.
Chances are it is just you and your unique bit of tissue. The ultrasound will tell them more and give you more insight on the great uniqueness of your body. If you get a chance, watch the screens and ask what they are looking at and for. Take part in the exam by asking questions to get as much information as you can so that later on down the road, you can communicate with your doctors (when you have to have the yearly screenings) about what others have told you. That goes a long way with making sure you are on the same wavelength as those giving you care.
Keep your spirits up! I know it's hard not to fret about it, but you really can't do anything until you know more. One tech told me that most callbacks are due to false tactile exams or fuzzy images. I personally would rather go through the exams than wait and find out I could have prevented the pain and suffering of chemo, radiation, or cancer surgery down the road.

I had a friend with a similar diagnosis, And as is natural, she was very concerned as well. They did a biopsy on it, and it turned out to just be some abnormal tissue growth (non cancerous, no danger to her at all), and removed it on her request within the next month. As hard as it can be, try not to psych yourself out too much with all the bad things it could be, focus more on it being a cyst, or just the way your body is starting to grow. (yes, I know, you're probably cursing me right now.. but try to breath, and focus on normal life things for a bit. Excessive worry will only make your body react badly to everything else happening)

I also had a scare like this, my MD found it and it didn't show up on mamogram, so they did an ultrasound. It went away. It was way under the arm, in the lymph node area. Scary! Hang in there, and know that even if it is the something more, that the success rate is phenomenal these days!!!! Prayers will be with you.

Hi E.! I had the exact same thing happen to me when my daughter was a baby. All the horrible thoughts crossed my mind, picturing her growing up without me. It was devastating. The doctor did an ultrasound and said it looked like a cyst. Then I went to a breast specialist who did a needle aspiration (not anywhere near as bad as it sounds) and determined that it was filled with non-cancerous fluid. He said it's extremely common for women to get cysts and masses in their breasts from the hormonal changes and that they usually go away on their own. I thought it was a lot of trauma to go through for something so common, but they have to be careful I suppose. Don't let it keep you up at night, be glad they're being proactive about it and most likely it's going to be a benign cyst or fatty spot like they said. Especially if the spot is very soft, and painful at times. Those are actually good signs. If you want to talk more, PLEASE email me. The breast specialist I went to was in Southfield and he was really nice, so I can look up the name if you need it.

I had something like this happen too. My lump was about the size of a golf ball and hard. It didn't hurt at first though. I had a mammogram and a needle aspiration (didn't hurt) and they found out it was a cyst. Unfortuantely the cyst keeps coming back, every month around my period. Must be the hormones. If you find out it is a cyst there are a couple things you can do. They can cut you and take it out or you can have a needle aspiration. I hope everything works out for you!

E. - I remember feeling the same exact thing...while I didn't have children at the time, I was scared to death because I was also only 24. It did turn out to be nothing, but make sure you return for your check-ups and visits. I had fibrous breast tissue and it changes throughout the month, so it could just be the timing.

I saw several doctors and specialists and honestly, when the first gave me a clear bill of health, I still went to more to be sure - had lots of tests and it was fine - I'm 33 now and no problem, so try not to worry altough I know it's tough...but hang in there and let us know what happens.

I'll say a prayer for you :)

Don't fret so much - your son will be able to sense it and he may bacome more of an handful than he already is. Your doctor is probably being extra cautious in sending you for an ultrasound. If you can move it around under the skin it's probably just a fat mass or swollen mamory gland like your doctor suggested. It is common to have these masses come and go during your monthly cycle, no big deal. I had to go back for a second look on my mammogram, that's scarier than just an ultrasound and mine turned out fine. You will be just fine, too.

Unforunatly I have never gone through this myself, so I really don't have any real words of wisdom, but a friend of mine did when she was 18, and that turned out to be nothing. I am so sorry or what you are going through, I will pray for you. **hugs!!**

I have had a pea size mass since I was 19 or 20 (I am almost 32 now) I had an ultrasound done every year (for 6 or 7 years) to make sure it didn't change and it never has. Then I had another one appear about 5 years ago and it never changed either. I have not had either one removed I just keep an eye on it and my doctor told me if I notice any changes to come back. They were both cysts and she has not been concerned at all. I still worry every once in a while but since they are not changing I don't worry too much about it. My though is that if it were actually cancer that I would never have lived 10+ years with it... Hope that helps. Good luck with your ultrasound! I know how scary it can be not knowing.

E.

Don't freak out until you know for sure that you have something to worry about. I know it's easier said than done - but really, you are stressing yourself and your family over some thing that may not be a real issue....or may be lesser than your thinking.

I was 23 when I first discovered a lump in my breast. First, my doctor tried to 'aspirate' it (suck all the liquid out) - that didn't work. Then, I had an ultrasound and ultimately, I had to have the lump removed. It turned out to be a benign fibroid adenoma. The surgury took about a half day, and I was totally free of pain by the end of the week. I'm now 37 and have had no further reoccurences. So, as I said, don't freak out just yet! You might have something similar. A lump doesn't automically mean cancer and death. Stay calm.

E.
I had a similar situation. I noticed a small pea sized lump on my right breast. I am 35 years old married with a 4 year old and 10 old and to top it off my mother passed away from breast cancer so yes I was totally freaking out. I had to make a appt. for my yearly pap smear anyways so i had my doctor check out and he more less told me it was a fibroid but he wanted me to have a mammogram so i did and he was right came back normal. most women havce lumpy breast and they turn out to me nothing i know it is really hard but don't start to worry until you know for sure stay strong and good luck

Hi E.. I had a similar situation and everything turned out to be fine. The most important thing is to do exactly what you are doing - be proactive and get it checked out. Mine was found in 2006 and I was flipping out too, but it turned out to be fine, they are just keeping an eye on it. Mine was found 2 months after my sister had to actually go in for a surgical biopsy on hers, and hers also turned out to be fine. I know, like everyone else has said, it's easier said than done, but just try to relax and remain calm. Don't worry or fret over it. Best of luck!

L.

Hi E.-
I know exactly how you are feeling and thinking right now...Last year, just before my 39th BDay I had a similar experience. It turned out to be nothing. Boy though was that the worst! Just like you I had to go for a number of days including over a weekend before I could go in for a follow up. I realize this is a WHOLE LOT easier to say than do but really try to let it go until Monday. Worrying will only make you sick. If you don't already have things to do, plan stuff for the weekend to keep you busy.
When I went for my follow up I asked for my results before I left. I had to wait around for a little bit but it was worth it. :o)
Hang in there!
L.

Congratulations on the great report, E.! Just wanted to mention that if you do end up conceiving and breastfeeding your wee one, you will most likely work out the plug all on your own in the process. Good luck (and have fun) ttc! ;)

E. - I found my first mass when I was in my early twenties and I was scared to death too. I have a condition called fybrosistic disease, which sounds worse that it is. The cysts are benign and the only downside is that they have reoccured a couple of times. I have had all three removed with a very quick recovery. It is a very common condition (two of my coworkers have it, too), so don't worry! I know that is easier said than done, but it is more likely that is nothing than it is something.