Lumps, frights and cold sweats - life after cancer

A mere seven weeks after my clear mammogram results and cancer reminded me of its constant presence in my life. After Christmas, like half of the UK, I developed a hideous cough and flu-like symptoms. I battled on, as is my usual way, but couldn't fight the nagging (and often melodramatic) fear that this could be something more onerous. Three weeks on and the cough had cleared, but a gripping pain in my left breast, aggravated by innocuous activities such as sneezing, lying down or turning, prevailed. I went to the local walk-in centre, and due to my history, the resident Doctor checked my breast. I was instantly chilled by the "I'm sorry to have to tell you this..." line and the 'brace yourself for bad news' sympathetic face and the news that I had a 2-3 cm lump which was hard with irregular edges. I was absolutely gutted, even more so than last time oddly, fearing the whole hideousness of going through chemo again far more than the possibility that the cancer could be terminal. I booked an appointment with my breast care surgeon straight away and was seen within two days. During a jovial round of appointments in which I was pummelled by two handsome junior Doctors, examined by my surgeon, covered in jelly, inspected by ultrasound and then went back to the experts, I was told that it was benign. I was beside myself with joy and honestly felt like I was given huge reprieve. Particularly since many of my contemporaries are still bravely facing the challenge of enduring chemo and facing a poor prognosis. So my tip would be...be vigilant, but don't panic. Go and see a specialist as soon as you can and don't worry about wasting anyone's time - that's what they're there for.

Amanda

Only when you've been through cancer can you truly relate to the fear and anxiety that arises when you're about to have your annual mammogram (first one since B.C for Amanda and I).
Yes, well meaning people will tell you to 'stay positive' and 'you'll be fine' and 'you won't be that unlucky to get it twice'...I didn't realise that luck came in to it when I got it the first time?
I had my mammogram two weeks ago today (05/02/15) and two days ago, I received a phone call from the Breast Care Nurse to ask me to go back to the hospital for an ultrasound. She said my mammogram was clear but I needed an ultrasound as this is how my original cancer was picked up.
Amanda can verify that part of my brain didn't believe the nurse and I convinced myself that she was lying just to get me go back for the ultrasound. She wasn't!! My ultrasound was clear too but the anxiety and nervousness I felt having the ultrasound was very real. I can now breathe and relax and hopefully get on with my life until I'm thrown back into 'the zone' when I next have a review or examination.

Debbie