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Post by epeanymous on Nov 22, 2022 6:37:06 GMT
(Update) Good news and bad news. Good news is that the lump I found is a benign cyst. Bad news is they found a different lump. I am scheduled for a needle biopsy in a few weeks. Radiologist says it is 70-80% likely to be benign but that the edges aren't clean enough to dismiss it. She did say that, if it is cancer, it is most likely stage one--it is one centimeter and my lymph nodes are fine.
I noticed a lump in my breast a few weeks ago. I called the breast clinic at my provider, and they scheduled me a week out for an appointment. The day before the appointment, I got a call letting me know that I had been scheduled with a surgeon by accident; they told me the next appointment would be another two weeks. Which would be tomorrow.
Today I got a call cancelling my appointment for tomorrow because the provider is sick. Now I am scheduled for next Tuesday.
Should I freak out? This has been stressful, and my father died from cancer a few months ago, so I feel like my judgment is clouded, but this seems like a lot of weeks of delay; hopefully this is a benign cyst (I had one years ago), but I am beginning to wonder if I should be hitting an emergency room (not to be graphic, but the lump has been discharging things).
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Post by Zee on Nov 22, 2022 6:48:36 GMT
Does a doctor know it's been discharging things? Do you mean pus? Is the area warm to the touch? Affected lymph nodes? Did the lump come on suddenly or gradually? Do you have a fever, chills, rash, discoloration of the area? Nipple discharge, or is the lump more like a boil?
You need to be seen, call your GYN or PCP first thing in the AM. It needs eyes on it to prioritize next steps.
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 22, 2022 6:55:48 GMT
Does a doctor know it's been discharging things? Do you mean pus? Is the area warm to the touch? Affected lymph nodes? Did the lump come on suddenly or gradually? Do you have a fever, chills, rash, discoloration of the area? Nipple discharge, or is the lump more like a boil? You need to be seen, call your GYN or PCP first thing in the AM. It needs eyes on it to prioritize next steps. I told the appointment scheduler each time, but that did not affect the scheduling of the appointment. I don't have a fever. Basically the lump is under the skin, and if I press it it leaks blood and sticky fluid. My ob:gyn had told me to call the breast clinic in the first place. |
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Post by Zee on Nov 22, 2022 7:19:11 GMT
And that's been going on for weeks? That's unacceptable to me. I don't think you need ER but I would call my PCP or visit an Urgent Care tomorrow. I'm annoyed with your gyn on your behalf. They should at least have looked at it and determined if you need antibiotics or US/needle aspiration or whatever.
I guess they were counting on the breast center to do that but this long of a delay with a leaking cyst on the breast is just not acceptable. I hope it's just a fluid filled cyst but you've been more than patient and are well within your rights to get that looked at pronto. Best of luck to you, keep us updated please.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,899 
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Nov 22, 2022 8:01:22 GMT
Having been through the whole breast-lump thing, I think you need to be seen ASAP, but I don't know how the system works in your country. In my country, I had cancer and I still had to wait 3 weeks for the initial "emergency" assessment, then it was another 2 months before I had surgery. That's just the way the wheels turn here. I hope yours turns out to be "just" a cyst. Let us know? And hugs. It's STRESSFUL. I know.
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Post by malibou on Nov 22, 2022 8:42:04 GMT
I would call your gyn after hours and leave a message saying that you are getting the run around at the breast center and that you need to have eyes on it now. Express again that it is leaking. That message will be heard by a receptionist or nurse both of whom will report it to the gyn and have them listen to the message. This way it is documented in another way and you have their full attention while they listen.
I get that they want you to get into the breast center, but I am annoyed for you that your gyn hasn't put eyes on it yet.
Keeping you in my safest thoughts.
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Post by Really Red on Nov 22, 2022 11:47:22 GMT
I would call your gyn after hours and leave a message saying that you are getting the run around at the breast center and that you need to have eyes on it now. Express again that it is leaking. That message will be heard by a receptionist or nurse both of whom will report it to the gyn and have them listen to the message. This way it is documented in another way and you have their full attention while they listen. I get that they want you to get into the breast center, but I am annoyed for you that your gyn hasn't put eyes on it yet. Keeping you in my safest thoughts. I think this is the best idea. Your gynecologist is also someone who can let you know whether it’s OK to wait or not. I know when they thought there was something wrong with me, the quickest they could get me in was three weeks and I felt all panicked but they said that was very normal and not to worry. Good luck. |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Nov 22, 2022 14:52:54 GMT
Is a lump that has discharge typical in breast cancer? I don’t have any experience with that but I do get boils and often need antibiotics. They have discharge like you are describing but by that point are also red and quite infected looking. If that is what you are experiencing I would see a doctor to have them evaluate asap.
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Post by christine58 on Nov 22, 2022 15:18:31 GMT
Is a lump that has discharge typical in breast cancer? I don’t have any experience with that but I do get boils and often need antibiotics. They have discharge like you are describing but by that point are also red and quite infected looking. If that is what you are experiencing I would see a doctor to have them evaluate asap. It was for a friend but the discharge was from the nipple |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Nov 22, 2022 15:36:32 GMT
My ex-boyfriend and I were in a tender moment and he found a lump. GP could palpate the lump. The mammogram showed something and the ultrasound showed nothing. The radiologist came in with the sonographer and told me I was fine and I have a huge history of breast cancer. I wish you the same luck.
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,062
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Nov 22, 2022 15:51:25 GMT
I am sending you <hugs> I'm so sorry they are making a stressful situation even worse with all these delays!
I can't wait for you to come back and give us the good news that it's nothing and you are well. It will be okay. <hugs>
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Post by ToniW on Nov 22, 2022 16:03:08 GMT
Call your doctor's office, tell them what's going on and ask them to schedule it for you. The doctor's office usually has more clout with the scheduler.
Speaking from experience, I used to do this for my patients when they needed testing/procedures done sooner than later.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,768
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Post by valincal on Nov 22, 2022 16:17:30 GMT
I hope all is well and that you can see a specialist quickly. Take care.
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 22, 2022 16:32:32 GMT
I would call your gyn after hours and leave a message saying that you are getting the run around at the breast center and that you need to have eyes on it now. Express again that it is leaking. That message will be heard by a receptionist or nurse both of whom will report it to the gyn and have them listen to the message. This way it is documented in another way and you have their full attention while they listen. I get that they want you to get into the breast center, but I am annoyed for you that your gyn hasn't put eyes on it yet. Keeping you in my safest thoughts. I think this is the best idea. Your gynecologist is also someone who can let you know whether it’s OK to wait or not. I know when they thought there was something wrong with me, the quickest they could get me in was three weeks and I felt all panicked but they said that was very normal and not to worry. Good luck. I really appreciate the advice. I called my ob/gyn this AM and they said they could not see me until 2-3 weeks out, so unfortunately that looks like a dead end. I am calling around to some other providers today to see what I can rustle up--I am guessing Thanksgiving week isn't a great time for appointments, but hope springs eternal. |
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Post by scrapmaven on Nov 22, 2022 16:37:03 GMT
Remember that most lumps turn out to be benign. I'm thinking healthy thoughts for you. Please call your pcp and try and get an appt.
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Post by lucyg on Nov 22, 2022 16:44:34 GMT
Remember that most lumps turn out to be benign. I'm thinking healthy thoughts for you. Please call your pcp and try and get an appt. Right, and I’m thinking it sounds more like an infected cyst or something (speaking only from my experience as a breast cancer survivor, not any professional knowledge).  But someone/somewhere needs to get you in and look at it. Do you have a PCP you can call since your OB/GYN sounds … not especially useful here? Wishing you well. I know it’s scary, waiting to find out. |
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Post by christine58 on Nov 22, 2022 16:46:03 GMT
I think this is the best idea. Your gynecologist is also someone who can let you know whether it’s OK to wait or not. I know when they thought there was something wrong with me, the quickest they could get me in was three weeks and I felt all panicked but they said that was very normal and not to worry. Good luck. I really appreciate the advice. I called my ob/gyn this AM and they said they could not see me until 2-3 weeks out, so unfortunately that looks like a dead end. I am calling around to some other providers today to see what I can rustle up--I am guessing Thanksgiving week isn't a great time for appointments, but hope springs eternal. You have an appointment next Tuesday right? I doubt you’d get in anywhere else before then since it’s a holiday week and most pcp etc are closed Friday |
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 22, 2022 16:54:16 GMT
I really appreciate the advice. I called my ob/gyn this AM and they said they could not see me until 2-3 weeks out, so unfortunately that looks like a dead end. I am calling around to some other providers today to see what I can rustle up--I am guessing Thanksgiving week isn't a great time for appointments, but hope springs eternal. You have an appointment next Tuesday right? I doubt you’d get in anywhere else before then since it’s a holiday week and most pcp etc are closed Friday Yes. I am doubtful too. |
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 22, 2022 16:57:00 GMT
Remember that most lumps turn out to be benign. I'm thinking healthy thoughts for you. Please call your pcp and try and get an appt. Right, and I’m thinking it sounds more like an infected cyst or something (speaking only from my experience as a breast cancer survivor, not any professional knowledge). But someone/somewhere needs to get you in and look at it. Do you have a PCP you can call since your OB/GYN sounds … not especially useful here? Wishing you well. I know it’s scary, waiting to find out. Thank you for your support! I have not seen a PCP in I could not possibly tell you how long (I have a gastroenterologist but that is a whole lot of not-useful here). I'm hoping it's an infected cyst too -- last time I had a lump, that is what it was, but, at the risk of being graphic, it was while I was nursing, it it turned out to be a milk-filled cyst. It's been a few years since I've nursed a baby now . |
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,797
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Post by Rhondito on Nov 22, 2022 17:04:38 GMT
I'm so sorry you are being treated this way! I know it's making an already worrisome situation even worse. Many times I think physicians and those who work in their offices become immune to patients' feelings and emotions because they deal with these things every day; to them it's no big deal, but to us it's all-consuming until we have answers.
I hope you're able to get in to see someone before Tuesday, but if not at least it's a busy week ahead and hopefully the time will pass quickly! Prayers that it turns out to be nothing!
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,947
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Post by peppermintpatty on Nov 22, 2022 17:16:10 GMT
What you need to do is talk to the gyn directly and tell them (don't ask them) that they need to intercede on your behalf and get you in sooner. Doctor's offices have a lot more clout than the average person does. My dad would do this all the time when his patients would get the runaround. These places actually hold back appointments specifically for doctors.
You should also find another location to get checked out. Breast centers are all over the place. Any radiology lab can do a mammogram.
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 22, 2022 17:24:37 GMT
What you need to do is talk to the gyn directly and tell them (don't ask them) that they need to intercede on your behalf and get you in sooner. Doctor's offices have a lot more clout than the average person does. My dad would do this all the time when his patients would get the runaround. These places actually hold back appointments specifically for doctors. You should also find another location to get checked out. Breast centers are all over the place. Any radiology lab can do a mammogram. I'm now on hold with another location that is trying to get me in today or tomorrow. Why? Because -- and I wish I were making this up -- since I last posted, I got another call from the breast center cancelling my appointment for next Tuesday because "it was scheduled for too late in the day". I have never seen or heard of anything like it. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Nov 22, 2022 17:37:07 GMT
What you need to do is talk to the gyn directly and tell them (don't ask them) that they need to intercede on your behalf and get you in sooner. Doctor's offices have a lot more clout than the average person does. My dad would do this all the time when his patients would get the runaround. These places actually hold back appointments specifically for doctors. You should also find another location to get checked out. Breast centers are all over the place. Any radiology lab can do a mammogram. I'm now on hold with another location that is trying to get me in today or tomorrow. Why? Because -- and I wish I were making this up -- since I last posted, I got another call from the breast center cancelling my appointment for next Tuesday because "it was scheduled for too late in the day". I have never seen or heard of anything like it.  I hope you have another option other than this breast center. This runaround goes into the category “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up”. Regardless of the final determination, a weeks long health issue like this is unacceptable. It doesn’t sound like cancer (always our first worry with breasts as women), but it does sound like something that needs to be resolved. You are well within your rights to push hard to be seen. Good luck today finding an appointment. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Nov 22, 2022 17:40:23 GMT
I think this is the best idea. Your gynecologist is also someone who can let you know whether it’s OK to wait or not. I know when they thought there was something wrong with me, the quickest they could get me in was three weeks and I felt all panicked but they said that was very normal and not to worry. Good luck. I really appreciate the advice. I called my ob/gyn this AM and they said they could not see me until 2-3 weeks out, so unfortunately that looks like a dead end. I am calling around to some other providers today to see what I can rustle up--I am guessing Thanksgiving week isn't a great time for appointments, but hope springs eternal. When you get a resolution, I would follow up with your OB/GYN personally (not a nurse) and tell them how unhelpful their staff has been. I’d also talk to the nurse manager at the office. I’d bet money that your Dr isn’t even getting your messages. |
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Post by quietgirl on Nov 22, 2022 18:01:07 GMT
Omg! I am so sorry you are dealing with this run around. How terrible. Hugs, and best wishes for good news.
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 22, 2022 18:13:06 GMT
I really appreciate the advice. I called my ob/gyn this AM and they said they could not see me until 2-3 weeks out, so unfortunately that looks like a dead end. I am calling around to some other providers today to see what I can rustle up--I am guessing Thanksgiving week isn't a great time for appointments, but hope springs eternal. When you get a resolution, I would follow up with your OB/GYN personally (not a nurse) and tell them how unhelpful their staff has been. I’d also talk to the nurse manager at the office. I’d bet money that your Dr isn’t even getting your messages. The doctor definitely isn't. It's a large practice and my specific doctor only works a few days a week; not making it up when I say that the best I could get the scheduler (the only person I can get on the phone, and there is no way to leave a message to get to the doctor) to do was to give me the ability to talk to a triage nurse . . . in a week. After this is (hopefully!) behind me, I'm going to look for a more accessible practice -- when I was young and having babies and just needed to have my blood pressure checked and my abdomen measured once a month, having a factory practice was fine, but now that I'm striding through middle age and the reasons I'd be needing an ob/gyn are possible health problems, I don't think this practice works for me (I also do recall it being easier to at least speak to a nurse when I was there more regularly, so I think it's probably just gotten too big to manage effectively). |
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 22, 2022 18:15:12 GMT
Good update -- I found another practice that, originally, had told me they could only schedule me in two weeks, but found a slot for me early tomorrow morning. Wish me luck, and thank all of you for your support and kindness. It has made me a lot calmer about the situation to have so many of you remind me that the most likely thing here is that I'm fine -- I know that rationally, I promise, but as everyone knows, rational knowledge and emotional truth can be very different things . |
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lavawalker1
Full Member
Posts: 488
Jul 9, 2021 21:41:57 GMT
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Post by lavawalker1 on Nov 22, 2022 18:15:17 GMT
How
awful, sorry you are going through this. Praying for you
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TXMary
Pearl Clutcher
And so many nights I just dream of the ocean. God, I wish I was sailin' again.
Posts: 2,955
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Post by TXMary on Nov 22, 2022 18:33:01 GMT
I'm glad you found someone to see you sooner. Most likely it's not serious but definitely good to have it seen ASAP. When I had my lump, it took a week to get into my PCP, another week for the diagnostic mammo/ US and another week for the biopsy. And then another week before I got the results. It was literally one month to the day from lump to diagnosis. I know how stressful it is and I am so sorry that you're going through this. It shouldn't Have to take that long.
I would definitely follow up with your GYN. I understand it's just another day at work for them and a holiday week, but you deserve to be heard.
Sending you all the good thoughts that it's nothing serious.
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Post by Basket1lady on Nov 22, 2022 18:39:15 GMT
When you get a resolution, I would follow up with your OB/GYN personally (not a nurse) and tell them how unhelpful their staff has been. I’d also talk to the nurse manager at the office. I’d bet money that your Dr isn’t even getting your messages. The doctor definitely isn't. It's a large practice and my specific doctor only works a few days a week; not making it up when I say that the best I could get the scheduler (the only person I can get on the phone, and there is no way to leave a message to get to the doctor) to do was to give me the ability to talk to a triage nurse . . . in a week. After this is (hopefully!) behind me, I'm going to look for a more accessible practice -- when I was young and having babies and just needed to have my blood pressure checked and my abdomen measured once a month, having a factory practice was fine, but now that I'm striding through middle age and the reasons I'd be needing an ob/gyn are possible health problems, I don't think this practice works for me (I also do recall it being easier to at least speak to a nurse when I was there more regularly, so I think it's probably just gotten too big to manage effectively). I think you have judged this accurately. I had high risk pregnancies and as soon as they heard a heartbeat, I was sent to another office specializing in high risk pregnancies. I’m so glad that you are being seen tomorrow and I’m sending good thoughts that you just need a course of antibiotics to manage the issue. |
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But someone/somewhere needs to get you in and look at it. Do you have a PCP you can call since your OB/GYN sounds … not especially useful here?
I hope you have another option other than this breast center. This runaround goes into the category “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up”. 
