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Posted 1/7/2007 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone:

First of all, for anyone who takes the time to read this, thankyou.

I'm really not sure what to do anymore.....

I am 34 yrs old. Found a lump in July, 2006 in the left breast. It was the 2 o'clock position and fairly deep. Dr. confirmed lump and requested a mammogram to be taken. Results confirmed a lump in the left breast. Inconclusive findings. Spot compression and ultrsound requested. August 8th, 2006-Spot compression of left Breast. ultrasound of left Breast. August 9th, 2006- Noticed nipple on left Breast to be very itchy. Tried to relieve it with creams and cold cloth. No relief. Discharge from left nipple is blackish in appearance and sticky. Very hot by times as well as a very "full feeling". at times seems somewhat swollen but not much. August 11th, 2006- App. with Dr. regarding itch and go over mammo and ultrasound results. Ultrasound confirmed a bi-lobe cyst deep by chest wall at the 2 o'clock position. One part approx. 1. 4 cm in diameter and the other part .8 cm in diameter. Thoughts of radioligist- "appears benign" App. made with surgeon . Prescribed hydrocortisone cream for the itch. If no relief in a few days, to come back. August 14th, 2006- No relief from cream and nipple has a terrible burning sensation. Dr. prescribes Antibiotics- (in case of infection).
August 24th: Went to surgeon and cyst was drained but sample was not sent for testing. Surgeon said cysts are not cancerous and that testing sample would be a 'waste of time'. Also that blisters around areola and nipple are most likely exzema and would go away. Said I was too young to be worried about ibc.

It is now January 5th and about 9 weeks ago I noticed that the cyst/s are back. The 'water-blisters' (some clear and some bloody-like) have never left and the itching is still there. So is the discharge. Also my Lymph node directly over my right breast is quite swollen. Went to local Dr. Confirmed both cysts in left breast and 'feels like a cyst over right breast, about 2" below collarbone. Went back to see surgeon. Said to come back in a month for re-evaluation. I have another app. January 16th. I am concerned that this matter is not being concidered seriuosly enough. Should I tell him to send me to a breast specialist? I don't want to insult him, but I feel like not enough is being done. When I asked him to biopsy and test this time or maybe another mammo, he shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't think he needed to. Thank you for any suggestions you can give me.

Family History of Breast Cancer and ovarian Fibrocystic Disease showing atypical cells. All sisters and mother had hysterectomies before age of 40, except me.

Sorry this is so long. I'm just not sure what to do anymore....

rushelle

Posted 1/7/2007 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rushelle-
Welcome! Weekend are often slow around here, but others will probably chime in. Not to sound like alarmists, keep in mind that most of us who post here have or had breast cancer so we are all going to tell you to find a doctor who will take you seriously. You are NOT too young for BC or IBC. True it is rare at age 34, but since I had breast cancer at 30, I'd be happy to tell your doctor to go back to his books and read up on the disease and how to diagnose it.

Cysts are fluid filled and are not likely to be cancer,..but no one can be sure without testing the cells. The other symptoms that you have are probably not related to the cyst and I would hope that the doctor knows that. My tumor was not visible on the mammogram but was evident as cancer on my ultrasound.

My suggestion is to walk, no run, to a specialist or at least another doctor. You have too many unexplained issues to be just related to a cyst. Your ability to document your own history and symptoms is great and I would encourage you to keep doing so. It will definitely help in making the right diagnosis.

Keep in mind that there are many breast conditions which are benign, so there is no way to say that you do or don't have cancer at this point. Odds are definitely in your favor, but your gut is telling you to do the right thing. And be your own best advocate!

Hang in there and let us know what happens,..
Lori
Posted 1/7/2007 2:58 AM (GMT 0)

Rushelle,

F I N D  A  N E W  D O C T O R!!  Now, do not pass go, do not put this off, do it Monday first thing. 

You definitly need another opinion.  No one is too young to be worried or concerned about breast cancer.  I do not want to scare you, but we have had and do have very young women on this board that had or has breast cancer.  You can insist on a biopsy and in my opinion should.  Demand a referrel to a breast specialist now.  Personally I would not wait until the 16th, that is too long to worry about it.  If they will not give you a referrel find one on your own.  Ask you insurance company for a suggestion or call the local Physician referrel resource in your community.  I, in no way can say that your doctors are wrong, I pray they are not and remember that 80% of breast problems are benign but I cannot say it strong enough:  YOU NEED TO SEE SOMEONE NEW.  Take copies of your medical records to the new doctor, take a friend or your spouse or adult child if you have one.  Take a tape recorder with you and take notes.  Ask as many questions as you can think of, or even have a written list of questions with you. 

I am so sorry that you had to find us, but so glad that you did.  All of us here can help you.  Please write and keep us updated.  You can come here to talk, scream, vent, cry, and laugh.  Anything at all; we are breast friends and want to help and support you. 

If you want please sign the roll-call link on the front page of the board and tell us about yourself.  You can also read all about some of us too.  I sorry to brag but we are a bunch of great gals and very good friends.  (((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))

You are in my prayers and Peace be with you,

 

Candy

 

Posted 1/7/2007 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
Rushelle,

 

Welcome to our board.  I'm sorry you have this happening.  I agree - go to a different doctor!  I would insist on a biopsy, because that's the only way to know for sure.  This doctor sounds like he isn't taking this seriously.  You need answers not opinions.  Good luck and keep us posted.

Posted 1/7/2007 9:35 AM (GMT 0)
Rushelle, I agree with the other ladies!!! Go now to a different Dr and insist on a biopsy! You need a doctor who will listen to you. If it is nothing then you can stop worrying, but if not, you can get started on taking care if it. Please, call on Monday. If you tell us where you live, maybe someone on here knows a good doctor near you. Please let us know how you are. I know how scary this is. I am sending you {{{{HUGS}}}} and we are here for you.
Gail
Posted 1/7/2007 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone!!!

Thankyou all for your replies!! They ARE VERY MUCH appreciated........and heard.

However I do have a problem in that I am an orphan in the sytem....I do not have a regular Family Physician and therefore have a really hard time getting in to see anyone twice in a row.

I live in Atlantic Canada, BTW, and even though our system covers the costs of alot of our tests, they are not too kean on doing them. Insurance is not a problem either as my Husband & I have insurance (you still need it to push them along if you want tests done). But even that hasn't made much of a difference with this Dr.

I'm sure he is a very good surgeon......for gall bladders and kidney stones (his primary work) but he is not a Breast Specialist.......and that's who I want.

I would love to get in to see someone else as fast as I can but I really have no other choice but to go back to see him and demand a referral....if that doesn't work than hopefully the appointment I have @ the local Pap Clinic can refer me when I see them on the 17th, the day after.

I'm okay with the thoughts of the ones in my left breast being cysts........that was before the blister-like things on my areola of my left breast didn't go away and the discharge remained. And I don't like the fact that Now I have this new one involving my right breast, in the lymph node.

I'm sorry....I'm rambling on so much...I know what I want to do, what I need to do, I'm just finding a way to do it....and that is to see a Breast specialist!!!

Thanks for listening to me (virtually). I'm sure you can hear my frustrations with every word you read.

((((((((((((Hugs and prayers to you all fighting this battle))))))))))))

rushelle

Posted 1/7/2007 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
First, ignore whatever this Goto person said. These types of posts are not allowed on our board and will be removed.

Second, I cannot emphasize enough what others have said. You MUST find a new doctor and see a breast specialist IMMEDIATELY. I am so surprised that you haven't had biopsies already since there is a family history of breast cancer.

And as for age, our youngest member was 20 when she joined us. This disease knows no boundaries. I, too, am praying that you will fall into the 80% that will told the magic word, B-9. Stick with us. We will be here for you.

Welcoming Hugs, Jo-Ann
Posted 1/8/2007 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
Rushelle

I really don't have anything to add except ((((((((((HUGS)))))))))) You have already met alot of our women and they all gave you great advice as usual. I would get your telephone book out and look for a Breast specialist and start calling first thing in the morning. None of us want to scare you, but we have had alot of women go thru the same things you are going thru. Drs don't always take us seriously especially those of you who are younger.

Keep us posted we care.

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 1/8/2007 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
All I can do is endorse the advice of the others. This is your body, your life. You MUST find a doctor who will take your situation seriously, not pat you on the head and tell you that everything is fine. You've been having problems for seven months. THAT IS NOT FINE! Push until you get a referral to a specialist. Good luck and please keep us posted. Hugs, Lauri
Posted 1/8/2007 8:00 PM (GMT 0)

I can't tell you how glad I am to have found all of you!!!!

You are soo great!! Thank you for all of your shoulders..I was about to just crawl into a corner and not come out before I got the kick to go ahead from all of you.

I felt like I might have been starting to go crazy with all of this. I know it is not normal for these things to be happening but I just didn't know if I could do this anymore...,I felt like I had two heads or something everytime I went into a dr.'s office and come out no better off.....like I was doing something wrong by taking up their time or something..........weird eh...

I've been on the phone all day trying to find a ay to get refered to a brest specialist.....I finally got a call back from the pap clinic that I see on the 17th. She said that she will start working on the referral now for me before my appointment but to make sure i come in for my pap and she will do a breast exam at that time also. she also asked me to stop by the clinic tomorrow to pick up some lab papers to get some blood work done (she was talking to a dr. and got him to look at my chart)..anyway, she wants me to get my CA 125 checked? She said it would help to know that info? got any suggestions as to what that is?

It's pretty bad when you have to resort to crying your story over the phone to anyone who will listen but that is what i did and it seemed to pay off (maybe?)

thanks again girls for your eyes and ears. This site is great!!!

rushelle

ps....lots of hugs right back to all of you!!!(((((((((((hugs)))))))))))

Posted 1/9/2007 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Rushelle, the CA 125 is a test for cancer, usually ovarian cancer. I believe the one for breast cancer is CA 27-29. I am so glad you are getting someone to listen! That is good your Dr is doing the breast exam with the pap. I still hope she will refer you to a breast specialist. I really do believe you need to have a biopsy to be SURE. Please don't let her drop the ball. Stay with us, sweetie, we are here for you!
L&H, Gail
Posted 1/9/2007 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you are finally getting someone to listen to you.  My tumor marker test for cancer is CA15-3.  There are several different kinds, I think.  Remember, you are your own best advocate.  Keep pushing.
Posted 1/9/2007 2:20 PM (GMT 0)

I am so happy that you found someone to listen to you.  Hang in there and continue to fight for your rights.  Try to learn as much as you can about what is happening and ask, ask, ask, questions.  Please keep us posted.

Prayers and Hugs,

Candy

Posted 1/9/2007 2:31 PM (GMT 0)

I can't believe that your doctor is giving you such a run-around when you obviously have taken such great notes on the changes and problems that your body is having. None of it "normal". Let alone the fact of history of breast cancer in your family. I'm with the rest of the ladies....KEEP PUSHING and don't give up until you have definite answers. I am a new member here too and these gals are the best at answering your questions and addressing your concerns. We are lucky to have found this forum. I was diagnosed with inflammatory breat cancer on Sept 11, 2003. I found the lump myself and thankfully my doctor didn't listen to me when I told him that I thought it was only an infected duct. He made me go get a mam right away that day instead of just putting me on antibiotics. Two days later, they called me in for an ultrasound and biopsy. I don't know how I would've stayed sane if they had strung me along the way your doctor is doing to you. Hang in there, keep pushing and good luck!

Kim

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