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and what it probably is.
Published on February 24, 2004 By dharmagrl In Health & Medicine
Well, the opinions are in. It's not cancer.

I have fybrocystic breast disease. My body's breast tissue likes to clump together and make knots, lumps bumps etc, etc. There isn't any treatment for it, it's just one of those things you live with.
The lump I have now, however, would probably be better off being removed. I have an appointment with a surgeon on March 3rd to discuss and schedule to take lump out and biopsy it. Sometimes there can be microscopic changes that, although they're not cancerous, can indicate a pre-disposition to cancer in the future.

There will be some disfigurement because of the amount of tissue the surgeon removes, but it's not like i walk around with my tits out for everyone to see...so that's not really that big of a deal. I think the peace of mind that's going to come with knowing it's out is well worth a relatively small scar that no-one's going to see. Besides, if it had been left in I'd have likely been paranoid about it...wanting to feel it all the time, always wondering if it had changed, got bigger, moved, and so on. I'd prefer it to be out.

Dave is wondering if he should come home from Greenland for the surgery. I'm telling him that I don't think it neccessary. This can't be any worse than the car accident I had last year (left me with multiple injuries), and I managed to make it through that by myself...as long as I can find someone to watch the kids whilst I'm hospitalized I should be fine. They're all fairly mature and responsible kids, so as long as I'm available to supervise we'll be ok. I don't want to have to fork out another $600 to fly him home if I can make it ok by myself.

You know, if anyone reading this has any experience with this kind of surgery, please leave me a response. Your advice would be much appreciated - I've never gone through this before so I have no idea what to expect!

Comments
on Feb 24, 2004
I don't know anything about it but I feel that your are a strong woman. I hope you gonna be fine.
on Feb 24, 2004
Hey... good to hear, if you know what I mean. My experience is this, a small little bump that has been there, unchanged for almost 2 years now. My doctor said not to worry about it, and has checked it on a regular basis. So no, I don't have any advice, but I have a sense of relief knowing that you did not receive the worst news. Cheers.
on Feb 24, 2004
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep it up, girl!
on Feb 26, 2004
I wondered what you'd found out. I've had this type of surgery but the cysts were small, so I didn't hurt to bad. You may hurt worse than I did. Basically you feel tired after surgery and the next day you are a little sore. It wasn't much--but it may be worse in your case. Hopefully you won't get more of them. Some women do. I had them once on both breasts. If it hurts a lot tell the doctor.