Bless you Meganne, for your willingness to bring this whole issue to everyone! I know what you must be going through, since I have also been told that lumps that do not hurt are not bad, and if the standard tests do not show a problem, and ultrasound is normal, then there is not a problem. This is not always true, and when a person has dense tissue it can be especially difficult to determine problems, especially in the earlier stages. It is really important that those with dense tissue be checked more frequently. I had a relative with breast cancer in her thirties, that was caught in time; so not only a problem for older women. Bless you Meg again, and may everything work out well for you. I will continue to pray for you. People, who tend to have many cysts, really do need to be checked more frequently! Men should be aware of this problem, if they really care about women! If men can not care about the issues of women, then they should not associate with them in any way! "Political correctness" has its place, and this is not one of them. A part of this community is care and concern for all things; by all who participate.

Like we have all said at one time or another.... This site is the best for sharing ANYTHING! I had a lump several years ago. After talking with my doctor and my mom ( a Registered Nurse) I decided to have a lumpectomy. I know first hand what your sister felt. Because of my insurance and going through a divorce I didn't have the money for a hospital stay and I couldn't take the time off from work. Once the local wore off I thought I was going to die. I can't remember anything feeling so bad but I still had to finish out my day at work. My end result turned out good and still clear. It is so important to do a monthly exam, standing and lying down as well as the check up with your doctor. I'm with you 100% Meganne. If you need someone to talk to anytime just holler my way. relow you type away any time you like. We love having you here. Something not mentioned is that men can get breast cancer just like women and it is showing up more and more. My only request when I have my mamogram is that the doctor put his donger up there first and then tell me it's just slightly uncomfortable. I'll show him uncomfortable (that was meant as a joke)(sort of)... LOL

2 comments

by meganne 12 Nov 2008

Funny, I said almost the same thing to the doctor yesterday regarding having a biopsy done, cold turkey, without a local anaesthetic!!!! He laughed his head off and said he agreed. hugs n roses, M

by meganne 12 Nov 2008

Oh and please forgive, it was remiss of me not to say: I am soooo glad you had a good result and are still clear and ever vigilant. big hugs n roses, M

Thank you Ladies for putting this VERY important issue on this site. I have an aunt that lost her breast to cancer. Hugs!!!

Ah, Relow, very well said and I commend you for the phenomenal effort this must have taken you.

Thank you so much for adding your support.


To further what you have said, I will add the following information that I have not previously shared and YES, it IS meant to scare everyone out of their apathy. IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU!!!

9 years ago my Sister had an itchy nipple that she tried treating with creams and such to stop the itch. I'm not sure of the time frame, but a rash developed and it would not heal.
She finally decided to show her GP who sent her for the usual run of tests.

It turns out She had Pagetts disease, a rare form of cancer that usually manifests as a rash, that breaks out through the skin from the cancer lying underneath.

What made hers so rare?
No underlying cancer! It was only on the outside.

They removed her whole nipple in the Oncologist's surgery, after administering local anaesthetic injections THROUGH and INTO her nipple!!!!!

ARE YOU ALL NOW HOLDING YOUR BREASTS IMAGINING THE EXCRUCIATING PAIN???

Well she later told me, that, that pain was as nothing compared to what she felt after the local wore off, later that evening, while she was at work!

Anyway, this barbaric treatment was followed by radiation therapy just in case they hadn't got it all.

5 years later, after regular 6 monthly mammograms, she "FELT" there was something wrong.

She had THREE mammograms and ultraounds in a matter of 3 months and nothing showed up.

Still, she had this feeling something was wrong, so instead of doing her self examination standing up, she laid down on her bed, first on one side, then on the other and THAT WAS WHEN SHE FOUND IT!

A lump the size of a pea, deep in the breast tissue, near the armpit but in the area where the underwire of most bra's normally ends.

She had a mastectomy within a week and pathology showed it was the most dangerous, fastest growing type of malignant cancer.

She is still with us, and she reminds me every day, LISTEN TO YOUR GUT INSTINCTS !!!!

DON'T FEEL EMBARRASSED OR THINK YOU ARE BEING SILLY!!!

SO WHAT IF IT TURNS OUT YOU WERE WRONG?
WHAT IF YOU WERE RIGHT??

MAKE THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS DO WHAT YOU WANT AND DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER.

IT'S YOUR LIFE THAT IS AT STAKE, NOT THEIRS!

Hugs n roses and thanks for reading.
I'll get down off my soapbox now. Meganne

Thank you for caring relow...