Ready for Lumpectomy: Finding peace after fear and the unknown

Thank you PJH,

Feeling your good vibes!

One of the things my friends and random people keep asking is, "what does it feel like?" so I was hoping you and others would share with other women what a lump feels like. I for one was very confused as to what to feel for during exams. So I thought we might share our similes for comparing a lump, bump in the breast that "probably shouldn't be there, " as my GP said...

I told Em, "It feels like a jelly bean under a blanket." It also feels "heavy," or makes my breast feel like a small metal weight is there...a penny weight, as a jeweler would measure.

And turns out, it is exactly that, but not inanimate, but alive and has been growing until this moment I felt it and was certain it shouldn't be there. 

What was your first "feel" of it, so that we have an idea of what to tell other women whate they're looking for?

For me, there was no feeling the lump - it was picked up on my annual mammogram. And even though it was nearly 2cm, and the surgeon/oncologist knew exactly where to feel - they couldn't feel it; it was hidden, somehow. Probably one difference was it was invasive lobular rather than invasive ductal; lobular tumors tend to be just a general thickening, rather than a discrete lump. Hey, good question, Peg - speak up, ladies, what did your lump feel like? PJH

Hello Ladies~ I've been a subscriber to this site for the past two years, and that has been how long it's been since I was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer.  I've been through the whole treatment and surgery regimen; mamogram (which was the diagnostic factor that woke me up to my condition), a needle biopsy, a lumpectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, herceptin therapy.  My cancer was what I call the cadillac of breast cancers.  All of my numbers were off the charts.  But, and this is a big but...I am a Survivor...and I pray that you all will be as well.  Blessings, MDH

Marina, thank you SO much for connecting here. We love hearing "survivor stories" with such a good ending! Hold onto those positive vibes, OK? PJH

Sandi,

don't wait for them! they are so busy!! You go in, call, leave messages. Put all your papers in  a binder and you demand to speak to your onc. or doc, whoever...you have made it this far, don't let it pass you by! Do you have a nurse you can call? They call them nurse "navigator" or something like that...

I went to the oncologist and he had no idea what was going on with me. He was the one who set up the appointment at his office so he must have known I was finished chemo.  He asked me what type of breast cancer I had. He did not know why I had not had the other 4 treatments. He said he figured it was because I did not need them. He did not know why I had had a port put in. He thought I was on my hormone pills for the cancer. He did not know why I had not gone to radiation already. I told him that this was my life. He told me to come in to the chemo clinic this coming Tuesday before the pharmacy closed and so he could look at my hospital records. Wouldn't you think he would have had some sort of information at his office records. I just hope the time that has gone by have not made my cancer able to come back. I did call the nurse at the chemo clinic. I called 5 times so I could make sure I was really released from treatment. Finally I believed them and thought it took that long to get the next step done. Now I am worried. I did have some blood work done for my appointment coming up. I hope it shows all will be well.

Sounds like someone is dropping the ball! But don't let it be you!

You go in there and demand a consultation appointment with your radiation onc. and sit with them and write out a timeline of all the things that have happened and NOT happened and what should happen next and when.

Get the names of the recepetionists and nurses everytime you leave a message. MAke  a log with time and date and name of calls... And sue those fuckers if they dont help you. You better believe they make good money and they better be workin' for it!

Good for you, you tell that doctor this is your life!

On a lighter note, you doing great. 

Yours in Sisterhood,

Peggie* Hearts and love sent your way

Sandy, I hope you're under a doctor's care for your depression. Don't give up; drugs, when the right combination is found, can be a godsend. "Thank goodness" (sounds weird to say it about cancer), but having DCIS, it's considered 100% curable - the only breast cancer that can be called curable. So you caught a break in that respect, at least. Be well - PJH

Yes, i been taking Wellbutrin 300 mg daily for several years, but now with cancer Drs. are going to prescribe me a complementary medecine so i can get out of bed and stop crying. 

Good - hope it works well for you... Peace- PJH

Hi All, read my most recent journal...it was CANCELLED!!!

how can that be? How stressful for you. Have they set up another surgery? Good luck.