I am scared

I was told by the nurse yesterday after i had my first mammagram that I have a lump on my left breast.She said it was 4 1/2cm long and told me it does'nt look good.I was told I also need to get a ultra sound done and another mammagram (which was very painful).I did see a doctor 19 months ago when the lump was 0.8cm and did not give me a mammagram or anything else.He stated that he beleives its nothing.I am 40 years old and I did have a tumor removed from my right breast when I was 16 years old.I have to wait 48 hours before I'll know anthing for sure because they have to send the results to my doctor.I have no insurance and I'am worryed I may have waited to late..Help some one ..

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Sharie, There needs to be more evaluation of this lump before any determination can be made as to what it is.  It is difficult to wait for the next step however your doctor may be able to put into perspective what absolutely needs to be done.  If the recommendation is to see a breast specialist talk with them before more testing is done so things would not have to be repeated.  Check with your local health department, they may have suggestions as to where in your area a women can go to have a breast lump evaluated, or programs that may assist with cost.  

[Crystal85]

Most lumps, even as you have described, still turn out to be benign.  You have not waited too late. Try to take this one thing at a time.  I know it is difficult - the waiting is the worst.
Good luck. I will be thinking of you.
Crystal

[joan]

dear shari, just 6 months ago i was where you are. when i was 16 i also had a lump removed. what you are going through is very stressful and upsetting. when i got my mammo, i thought it was going to be routine because i have been getting them for years with no problem. the day after i got it, i got a letter from the radioligist telling me to get to the doctor asap. well i still didn't think it was a big deal. i won't tell you what they saw because each woman is different. when i went to the breast surgeon he said lets do the lumpectomy next week. i was like what about a biopsy, but he said it look to suspious. i said "like cancer?" and he said yes. at that moment i couldn't hear anything else, i could see his lips moving but my mind was in a whirl. after i left his office i cried in the car, what will i do? how will i tell my husband and kids? i went home and called a friend who had cancer and she calmed me down and told me what to do. well i had the surgery and two weeks later they told me there were two types of cancer and one was invassive. i thought carefully and thought what i wanted to do about it. when i went to my doctor app.i made my own decission to get a mastectomy. yes i was scared but i knew that i made the right decission for me. the sugery went great. i had very little pain, a great doctor and a very good and quick recovery. i'm still ok. i'm writing my story because i want you to know that it's not too bad. i'll keep you in my prayers. hugs tanya