(No Subject)

ok guys (or girls :) im in desperate need for help or advice. I'm just gonna throw everything out there in hopes someone will know EXACTLY what im talking abt. Abt 2 months ago I found a lump in my right breast. I've been told from a mammo approx 4 years ago that I have fibrotic cysts bc of breast feeding my 4 kids. Aka "lumpy breast tissue" so I didnt really think anything abt this new lump that I have found. Anywho...fast forward six weeks and the lump is abt a grape and a half bigger. Now almost 10 weeks after original lump found it has almost doubled in size and is shaped like a sickle cell (of you guys know what that looks like) I was having sharp occasional pain from my armpit down to my nipple seeming to skip over this lump that I can press on with no pain at all. I am now as of the last few days have had burning from my armpit to my nipple like hot water being poured on the area constantly. Due to my ins i cant even go to the dr much less any specialist or special tests until after jan 15 bc of work rules and regs. Blah! Any advice!?

thanks in advance!
roxy

I'm usually on the Chronic pain board but happened to see your post. I don't have breast cancer but do have very "dense" breasts with a lot of calcification and cysts. Every time I've had a Mammogram they usually have to repeat the test while I'm there and even do an ultrasound that takes a good 30 minutes extra but no cancer being detected.

I'm a bit confused on your comment saying that "due to your Insurance" you can't go to the Dr.? If you have insurance, getting a Mammogram should be covered.

I don't have any insurance and signed up at a free clinic in my area and they sent me to get a Mammogram.

Without insurance, there are also programs through Susan G. Komen, or www.breastcancer.org that shows where to get free Mammograms.

*I don't work or belong to any of these organizations...just suggestions...

Otherwise, at this point, if your insurance doesn't kick in yet, it's less than a month from Jan. 15th and I would go ahead and make an appt. that day or the next to get a Mammogram. Or possibly talk to one of those organizations and let them know of your issue/insurance story and see what they have to say.

Hopefully everything will be ok!

I would make an appointment for the day it becomes effective then. That lump is growing fast and probably needs to be removed. And that is not saying it is cancer. I have a fibrous adenoma and they can also grow and need to be removed.

Thanks! I didn't realize that I posted twice.

Popping in with some personal experience,...

Avoiding Dr. Google (ahem) is a good way to start. Golly, if most of us got on there and googled all our symptoms, we'd have everything in the book, and then some.

I know it's easier said than done, but I agree with the others, and I'd strongly encourage you to make the appointment now, call today, and schedule an appointment for immediately when your insurance kicks in. If you wait until it kicks in, it could be a while before you get an appointment.

Being pro-active by scheduling the appointment is a more effective tool than focusing on Mr. Google.

The Breast Health Center that I went to also posts signs everywhere that if you cannot afford screening, they will provide it for you. There's no reason to wait out of fear. There are many Centers like this around the country, especially pertaining to a disease as high profile as BC.

Good luck to you, and get on the phone my dear, make that call, and book yourself that appointment! You'll be happy you did!


M.

Roxy,

First of all, "Good for you!" -- for making that appointment now! I know how tough a decision that is to make, just making that phone call. I'm sure the anxiety gets compounded because things are uncertain with your insurance at the moment.

Now, from what you've written, it sounds like that your "starting point" will be a standard mammogram. That's usually the first step, the basic diagnostic tool that helps to give an overall picture of what's going on.

I've had fibrocystic breasts since I first started my period, so it was not uncommon throughout the years for my doctors to have me repeat mammograms or get ultrasounds. So for now, you get to tuck this away into a little box for later because you have effectively handled it.

You felt something wrong, you monitored it, you asked for help and suggestions and input, and you followed up by calling your doc to schedule an appointment for as close to "immediate" as anyone could hope for! Gosh, if you think about it, it's not that far away. It's less than 4 weeks, so that's great!

Now, just don't over-think things because you've done a great job of taking care of matters. It's a done deal!

Good for you!



M.

There's a good support team in HW.

Stay in touch, and let us know how things work out for you with your appointment.

Time to relax now and enjoy the Holidays. Treat yourself to something wonderful!

You're in my thoughts and prayers.



M.