tiredpoet
01-07-2007, 11:01 PM
Hi there,
I'm wondering if anyone out there would be willing to share with me how they felt before they were diagnosed (before you knew you were ill). Was there anything different that you chalked up to other illnesses or just to life/stress issues, like more fatigue, more feeling sick, dizzy, nausea, etc? I'm just wondering if breast cancer hints to its existence before any palpable lumps can be found. (I know there are different types of cancer and not always a palpable lump, but most stories I read begin with the day the lump was found). I'd be really grateful to anyone who would share how they felt generally in the time leading up to their diagnosis.
I'm wondering if anyone out there would be willing to share with me how they felt before they were diagnosed (before you knew you were ill). Was there anything different that you chalked up to other illnesses or just to life/stress issues, like more fatigue, more feeling sick, dizzy, nausea, etc? I'm just wondering if breast cancer hints to its existence before any palpable lumps can be found. (I know there are different types of cancer and not always a palpable lump, but most stories I read begin with the day the lump was found). I'd be really grateful to anyone who would share how they felt generally in the time leading up to their diagnosis.
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cassie2
01-08-2007, 12:00 AM
Hi
I cant answer on a personal level, but my sister told me she just had this tired feeling, as tho she had a slight flu, she wasnt sick, but she certainly did not expect the cancer result.(aggressive cancer they called it )
My mother has had breast cancer and she felt fine, till the lump was discovered, she survived that op and chemo, then 7 years later we were travelling around the country, she was perfectly healthy, slipped on a rock, went to doctors as hurt her back, xray showed 7 cancer lumps on her lung, she had no sypmtoms before, now my dad starts chemo tomorrow for lung cancer, he went to hospital with pancreatitis and while in there xrays showed lump in lung and nodes, but he had no lung or breathing difficulties.
I have heard of people being perfectly healthy, until the diagnoses, then dropping like flies once its discovered
Do you think you have cancer?
I cant answer on a personal level, but my sister told me she just had this tired feeling, as tho she had a slight flu, she wasnt sick, but she certainly did not expect the cancer result.(aggressive cancer they called it )
My mother has had breast cancer and she felt fine, till the lump was discovered, she survived that op and chemo, then 7 years later we were travelling around the country, she was perfectly healthy, slipped on a rock, went to doctors as hurt her back, xray showed 7 cancer lumps on her lung, she had no sypmtoms before, now my dad starts chemo tomorrow for lung cancer, he went to hospital with pancreatitis and while in there xrays showed lump in lung and nodes, but he had no lung or breathing difficulties.
I have heard of people being perfectly healthy, until the diagnoses, then dropping like flies once its discovered
Do you think you have cancer?
tiredpoet
01-08-2007, 12:51 AM
Thanks so much for the response. I had a breast lump biopsied back in 2004-results came back atypical but due to my age and no cancer in the family they said no worries at all. Meantime they are testing me for everything else under the sun because my fatigue, muscle weakness and cognitive issues are so severe. These symptoms started in 2004 and as a result of seeing so many doctors, the lump was found. The lump has gotten firmer and a little larger since then. I requested another opinion on it, but I was wondering if all the other symptoms were maybe my body trying to tell me something. It's possible the lump is nothing and the other symptoms are actually something else, but since they haven't found anything to explain them yet, I just don't know. I've been tested for lyme, lupus, thyroid, low B12, anemia, etc, and everything was normal. I have an MRI next week. Just wondering if I should more aggressively push for them to check this lump sooner rather than later (as aggressively as I can, since I have no energy!)
Thank you again for your insight!
Thank you again for your insight!
cassie2
01-08-2007, 01:40 AM
I read your other posts, do hope that the all goes well for you.I have had nana, mother, sister, father, uncles all with cancer, the doctor says I should have a mamogram every 6 months, my last one, they found a lump, had to have second mammo, and scan, but it was just a cyst "thing" good thing too as my sister was actually starting chemo the next day, and doubt if my dad would have handled his 2 girls with cancer at the same time.!!Scarey , these health problems.
tiredpoet
01-08-2007, 01:45 AM
Very scary. Hoping for some firm answers soon. My thoughts are with you, I'm sorry about all of your family members having been sick.
pretod
01-17-2007, 02:22 AM
Let me start by saying that 4 yr ago at age 22, I was diagnosed with BC. The doctor also didn’t want to check out my lump – I was “too young” for BC. After 6 months of pain in my breast, and the lump increasing in size I had it removed, just to find out it was cancer. Yes, breast cancer is VERY rare in young woman, BUT not unheard of. If you have a lump, have a needle biopsy done. Make 100% sure.
tiredpoet
01-17-2007, 11:39 AM
Hi there,
Thanks for sharing your story. I had a needle biopsy two years ago at age 30, and the results said "atypical. multiple clusters of fairly bland ductal cells. foam cells and apcorine metaplasia present." it was not classified as fibroadenoma or a cyst or anything. They never actually told me what it was. Just a "lump" I guess. However, the doctor told me I had no reason to worry and just to continue having an annual breast check at my gyn, which I have. I asked about the word "atypical" and was told not to get bogged down in the lingo because doctors use wording on the reports that mean something for them, not for the patient, or something like that. I was told that due to my age (30 at the time) I didn't need to worry--although I know this is not true. My friend was diagnosed at 29.
Now the lump feels a bit larger and firmer and last week my gyn decided she wanted to have a second opinion, but she's referring me directly to a breast surgeon instead of just having a mammo or ultrasound. I have a bunch of other unexplained symptoms like severe fatigue (the kind where I am just literally unable to move) and extreme muscle weakeness as well as cognitive issues. I would never associate these with the lump I was told not to worry about, but when I put these symptoms into a search engine, one of the results that popped up was occult malignancy associated with breast or ovarian cancer. So that's why I was wondering if anyone who had been diagnosed with breast cancer had experienced any weird symptoms before they even knew they had cancer. Deep down I feel this lump is benign (and I just feel like I'd know, but maybe I'm being too laid back about it), and it never hurts to ask.
Thanks for sharing your story. I had a needle biopsy two years ago at age 30, and the results said "atypical. multiple clusters of fairly bland ductal cells. foam cells and apcorine metaplasia present." it was not classified as fibroadenoma or a cyst or anything. They never actually told me what it was. Just a "lump" I guess. However, the doctor told me I had no reason to worry and just to continue having an annual breast check at my gyn, which I have. I asked about the word "atypical" and was told not to get bogged down in the lingo because doctors use wording on the reports that mean something for them, not for the patient, or something like that. I was told that due to my age (30 at the time) I didn't need to worry--although I know this is not true. My friend was diagnosed at 29.
Now the lump feels a bit larger and firmer and last week my gyn decided she wanted to have a second opinion, but she's referring me directly to a breast surgeon instead of just having a mammo or ultrasound. I have a bunch of other unexplained symptoms like severe fatigue (the kind where I am just literally unable to move) and extreme muscle weakeness as well as cognitive issues. I would never associate these with the lump I was told not to worry about, but when I put these symptoms into a search engine, one of the results that popped up was occult malignancy associated with breast or ovarian cancer. So that's why I was wondering if anyone who had been diagnosed with breast cancer had experienced any weird symptoms before they even knew they had cancer. Deep down I feel this lump is benign (and I just feel like I'd know, but maybe I'm being too laid back about it), and it never hurts to ask.