Help please

[L1974]

Hi ladies I came on here last year a few times when my sister was going through her bc treatment and you were very helpful (sister has brca2 gene mutation which I don’t have). This time it’s about me would appreciate any help/advice. I have been suffering for a few months with small hard lumps in both armpits, been treated with different antibiotics 3 times, the spots go then return once the antibiotics are finished. In early August my left breast started feeling sore, I obviously made it worse by poking and prodding for weeks before I went to doctors, she couldn’t feel a lump but has sent me to breast clinic to ‘ease my mind’ however it’s done anything but that I have exhausted myself with worry. Appointment is tomorrow and on Thursday I found a swelling in my left armpit, I am thinking the worst, then telling myself it could be from the folliculitis?! I am currently using antibiotic gel but atm it’s not helping the spots. Any advice please?! Louise x

[Jennymary]

Unfortunately not able to advise but sending good luck love and hugs your way for tomorrow, let us know how you get on xx

[Hidden]

Wishing you Good Luck for tomorrow 🍀 please let us know how you get on.

MrsN

[Julie2233]

Waiting is always the worst! But deep breath, there are lots of reasons for lumps and relatively few of them are cancer. The fact that the lumps respond to antibiotics should give you some reassurance. But you are doing exactly the right thing getting it checked out and not waiting.

If you do get the news that you don't want, it's not the end of the world. Treatments are progressing so quickly at the moment. Oncologists are now telling patients who have breast cancer that has spread to other areas in the body (4th stage or metastatic breast cancer) to consider it as a chronic condition.

I have metastatic breast cancer and found another breast lump a few months ago, my oncologist assumed it was cancer but when it was scanned it was fatty tissue caused by scar tissue built up following an infection.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow and plan to do something nice afterwards whatever.

[anrean]

Hard to do, but please take a deep breath and try to relax a bit. The hardest part is waiting for the exam and results. The good news is that your doc took your concerns seriously and you are in the process of checking things out so you know what the next step will be. The better news is that, if it does turn out to be cancer, it is now considered a chronic disease because there are so many new treatments that stall progression or lead to no evidence of disease, I've had breast cancer in each breast, and was totally amazed by how much treatment had changed in just a few years! My mom was diagnosed in May, and again I am amazed by the newest options!!

Many of us have scan anxiety, and it usually peaks the day before the actual scan. Please know that what you are feeling is totally normal. Try to distract yourself and keep busy until the appointment. Remind yourself that a lot of us go through the same feelings, you are not alone, and that many times it turns out to not be cancer. We are here to support you either way!

Please let us know how things turn out!!

[Chatami]

Waiting is just the worst thing. 5 years after breast cancer, I now have peau d'orange and thickening of the skin in the same breast. I am waiting for a MRI scan, next week hopefully, but the waiting is driving me crazy. The consultant on my case is very supportive and gets things done quickly, but I was told to wait 4 weeks before the scan to see what has developed. I just keep telling myself that if it has come back and spread, treatments are so good now that all will be well. It is not knowing that is awful. As others have said, these symptoms can very likely be caused by non-malignant issues. You just have to throw yourself at the mercy of the health system and keep going until they find a cause. Good luck to you.

[carolinenailsea]

Good luck xxx

[Jt72]

I can't give advice apart from try not to worry but I know that's easier said than done. Take care and good luck for your appointment xx

[L1974]

Hi ladies just wanted to let you know everything went well today and nothing to worry about. I am sooo relieved, thank you for your support Louise xx

[Jennymary]

That's good to hear, really pleased for you x

[Bagrat]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner but so happy for you!

[L1974 in reply to Bagrat]

Thank you, you ladies are so lovely I wish you all the very best xx