Hi Claire I’m a breast cancer lass but just wanted to say one of my friends has been to the breast clinic today for similar symptoms to you and has been told she has a cyst which they drained straight away. Hold on to the positives and good luck for Friday , will be thinking of you xxx nicky

Hi Nicky,

Thanks so much for replying and I’m sorry you’ve had to go through breast cancer. It’s really kind of you to offer hope. Wouldn’t a cyst be soft? My lump is hard and uneven and doesn’t hurt at all - other than feeling bruised but that’s because I keep proding it. Was your friends limp pulling her nipple in too? 

Thanks again. I need hope as I’m thinking the worst.

Claire

Hi Claire I spoke with my friend today and she said hers felt hard and wasn’t painful but felt like it was dragging behind the nipple. It actually turned out she had a cluster of cysts that felt hard (she has had cysts on the side of her breast for years that are squishy so was worried about this one as itv felt different) they drained 30mls yesterday from this hard cluster. Obviously everybody is different, I had an inverted nipple but no palpable lump . My mass only showed on mammogram but I’m through the other side with no real issues. I have tried to stay positive right from the start and I honestly think it helps but the waiting is the worst time. So stay positive and stay off google is my advice. . Will be thinking of you on Friday let me know how you get on. Nicky xxx

Hi Nicky,

I appreciate your message more than you know. This does sound just like my lump and has given me some hope. Do you know how big it was? I’m preparing for the worse case scenario although I don’t think you can ever do that completely as deep down you always think you’ll be ok. I’m so glad you came out the other side and stayed positive. I’ve been feeling so negative since I found it as I feel beaten down by the last few years. Losing babies when you’ve tried so hard to have them is soul destroying and I’ve really struggled mentally but I didn’t let it beat me and whatever this ends up being this won’t beat me either.

Thanks again Nicky.x

Hi Claire it was about the size of an olive she said. You’ve had an absolutely awful time of things by the sound of it so it must be so hard to stay positive. I really feel for you. But you sound like an amazingly strong woman , so keep going. What time is your appointment on Friday? Are you taking somebody with you? I was on my own as I wasn’t really worried as I had no lump but wish I’d have had someone with me. Sending big hugs , keep in touch xxx

I think mine is bigger than that, it’s hard to tell. I check my breasts all the time so it can’t have been there that long. I was going to go on my own but my boyfriend has said he wants to come which is probably a good thing - especially if it’s bad news. That must have been so hard to hear on your own. We are clearly both very strong women. Thankfully my appointment is at 10am so I’ve only got two more nights to get through and one full day. 

Big hugs right back and I will let you know what happens. It’s so amazing to have someone to talk to who knows how this feels. Thank you.xxxx

Thinking of you today sending only positive vibes your way and got everything crossed that it is good news. Big hugs xxx nicky

Thanks Nicky, it’s cancer. Got to wait a week to find out what next steps are. Looks like it hasn’t got to my lymph nodes yet which is positive but I won’t know for sure until next week. 

Thanks for your support.

xx

Oh Claire I’m so sorry. It’s such a shock and I know you probably won’t feel like talking now but if you have any questions I can help with please give me a shout. I’ve had surgery and radiotherapy. I’m a similar age to you too 47. Sending lots of hugs xxx Nicky 

Hi Nicky,

They are suggesting chemotherapy first to reduce it as it’s 4cms, then surgery, and radiotherapy. I check my boobs all the time so I cannot see how I missed it. It must have grown quickly! Why did you have radiotherapy and not chemo?

xxx