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Eight Years On

This is to reassure all you Amazons out there that if you find a breast lump you neeed not anticipate the worst. You are allowed to feel afraid, though, because it's natural to fear the worst when you either find a lump for the first time, or you discover one at any time after your breast cancer has been treated.

This recently happened to me for the second time, in January of this year. I felt a lump, the size of a pea, whilst showering. I didn't panic, although I did feel pretty alarmed, and made an appointment to go straight to my GP. She felt around, and decided to send me to the cosultant at my local hospital; this was rather scary but nevertheless I held on to the fact that on average only one in ten lumps are found to be nasty, so off I went, my mind-set positive, but my heart racing.

At hospital I had a mammoram followed by an ultrasound scan (to "make sure") and, I am blessed to say, nothing of any sinister nature showed up and I came home reassured. The consultant told me to leave the lumpy area alone, not to keep feeling it, and to not worry any more because it was, he was certain, an area of fatty tissue and nothing else.

I think a lot of women (and let's not forget the fellas either) are just too afraid to go to their doctor in case the eventual result is that the lump or other abnormality they have found turns out to be a malignancy. People spend hours, days, weeks and sometimes months in terrible states of anxiety and fear, nervous tension, emotional turmoil and general upset just because they daren't have these things checked out.

This is not the way to handle your lump, or whatever you have found in/on your breast. Instead, take one good, deep breath, confide in the person to whom you are closest, and get yourself to a doctor PDQ! This way, your fears will be resolved in a relatively short space of time, and you will be able to get on with your life far sooner than if you leave it or pretend it isn't there.

And of course, for those of you who have to face a positive diagnosis, never forget that the earlier you get treatment the sooner you will be well again. I hope the telling of this experience of mine will help at least one of you out there to get to your doctor early enough to preserve your sanity or, most importantly, to save your life. This is why I write these things. This is why we are all here, to help each other when we can. And as always, I am here for you.

My deepest gratitude to everyone who has signed my guestbook over the past twelve months, especially for the meaningful, tender and supportive messages you have left not only for me, but for others to read. It takes courage to talk about inner feelings when fear is part of the picture. All of you are so brave, and my wish for you all is that you have recovered, or are on the road to recovery. Also that, once you feel able, you will have opportunities to use your experience in a positive way, and be willing to support and console anyone you may meet who has to face what you have conquered.

Incidentally, if you would like me to reply to your message, or to keep in touch and support you whilst you are undergoing treatment, please mention this when you sign the guestbook and I will get back to you soon. Thank you. Finally, as always my thanks to my dear daughter Lucy, without whose help this website would not exist. Take great care of your health everyone, you owe it to yourself, those you love and those who love you. Bless.