Found another lump.....now what?

Last night while staying up late watching a movie alone I decided it was time to do a thorough SBE again ( I had only half heartedly done one since the BC diagnosis in Jan ) and I found a lump in the left breast!!!!!  BC was in the right breast and I am FREAKING OUT!  I don't know what to do, where to go and can't even think clearly today.  I have an appointment with GYN July 1st for annual and to discuss possible hyster.  But I know I will most likely get sent to a surgeon no matter who I see first, GYN or ONC.  My problem is I think I want someone else besides the surgeon who did my biopsy and partial mast.  He was ok and personable but didn't inform me of the exercises I should have done and also didn't tell me I now have about 7 or 8 metal clips in me from the lymph node removal.  I only learned that when I had x-rays done and the tech asked me if I had had a recent surgery under my arms.  My GP showed me the x-rays and I was floored by what I saw! 

 

This lump is about the same size as the other one was when I found it but it is on the bottom part of my breast about an inch or so below the nipple at 6 O'clock.  The cancer had been on the outer side of my right breast at about 10 O'clock position.  Since I had lobular I am very concerned.  Don't they say lobular has higher odds of recurring in the opposite breast?

 

I want them both off and done with it now.  I had been sitting on the fence about that since the diagnosis but now I know I don't want to deal with this every month, feeling for lumps and freaking out at everything.  I was very good at knowing the topography of my breasts before the BC now I question my ability to do the exams.

 

Sorry to ramble, I have been a "space cadet" all day (even sent my daughter to be with my ex-monster in law that I can't stand ((I think I coined that phrase by the way)) and it just now hit me to get on here and talk to all of you.  I can't believe that the stresss was so much that I forgot about my breast friends. 

 

Sorry, I do love you all.

 

Mia,
I am new to this forum and am sorry for your news. Don't think of it as bad just yet.

By all means, you have every right to change surgeons if you want. Do not hesitate to tell either of your docs that you want a new surgeon. Talk with other women in your area with similar experiences and get the name of a good surgeon. Find someone that does Sentinel Node Biopsy if at all possible. If there are no positive nodes, this procedure (done with the mastectomy) will tell and it is the least invasive surgeries if this is what you have to go for. I had this done, but unfortunately I had 5 positive nodes so I had to go through everything.

Good Luck

Juju

Mia,

Don't forget that your oncotype DX score indicates that you have such a low, low, low risk of recurrence (anywhere), so try not to worry yet. Remember, every month we have changes, and being still young like you are, your breasts still will tend to be lumpy. Have you been having caffeine lately? Caffeine is notorious for causing benign lumps in breasts. Hang in there. Find another surgeon if you want - you have to feel comfortable with your surgeon. Aside from not telling you everything, did you feel confident in your surgeon's abilities? Can you make an appointment to get in to him/her immediately? Or can you get in to any surgeon immediately?

I'll be thinking about you!!!!! And lots of prayers headed your way! Hang in there, and keep us posted!!!!

L&H,
Laure'

Gee Mia, I don't know what to say. Everyone else seems to have said it all. I hope by now that you have called and made an appointment. Are there breast specialists in your area? I would head in that direction, I think. My other thought is that it takes years for a lump to form, but then you mentioned lobular and how it mirrors in the other breast, that is also true. So I am really at a loss. I think I would have no problem having a bilateral and leaving it go. No reconstruction, no bras and all that, but then I am an old woman now. LOL. So I am going to suggest that you really delve into the information you can find, go to a specialist doctor and get advice and then think long and hard about what you want to do. If the Onco test shows you had a low possibiltiy of recurrence and you have lobular, that seems to me to be contradictory so I would really want some good answers there. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you find out what the heck is going on. Like Laure said it could be caffeine, but gosh do you have to go through this every time you overdo caffeine if you did. Shaking my head in confusion. Hugs MK

Mia- I can't offer much except a hug (((Mia))) and you know what to do... probably benign, but have a biopsy to be sure.... and if need be, I would definitely find another surgeon that you are 100% comfortable with. It could be that time of the month, or caffeine, as Laurie said. We are all here with you!! and sending strong thoughts your way. Personally I would give the green light to the mast., because I went that route, and so far it's been ok for me. Maybe you should consider that as a prophylactic measure? good luck, and keep us posted... i will say a special prayer for you tonite!
hugs
Stefanie

thanks everyone for all your loving words and comfort.  I haven't called anyone yet and most likely will wait until I see the gyn. next friday.  I'm hoping maybe it will just go away, maybe I imagined it or that it is nothing more than a lumpy boob!  But I will have it checked out and I am looking into info on proph. bilateral mast. with immediate reconstruction.  I just don't think having "my" breasts is worth all this stress.  I can have boobs that are made from my extra (and I have enough of that trust me) belly tissue.  Or I can get them in a box.  But watching my daughter watch me go through all this again will be torture that I cannot endure, at least right now so soon after the diagnosis, surgery and rads.

So I will keep you updated when I see the gyn.  And in the meantime I am looking for a breast specialist in the area.

Hugs to all and thanks again!

Love,

Dear Mia,
Everyone has said all so well. I just want to wish the very best for you. When I had my recurrence, I was in such a hurry to get it out that I almost made a terrible mistake. At the last moment, I cancelled my surgery and found the best surgeon ever. Take time, check around, and possible you won't need any at all. Love, Di

Well let me throw in a hug and let you know I am thinking of you. Sending some Hugs Joyce