Women has this happened to any of you?

A weird thing happened to me. It started yesterday. I had pain and swelling in my right breast. By the end of the night I could feel a large mass and it was very painful. I made an appointment with the nurse practitioner at my doctor's office (doc not there) for today. I went in and she said wow you have a very large mass, about the size of the palm of her hand. She said she wasn't sure what it was so sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound. Of course, I was worried the whole time. My sister died from breast cancer two years ago. The radio dept called her and said that everything looked fine. That I had fatty deposits and that they were clumped up in one area. That is what caused the pain and swelling. When she called me she asked if I had lost a lot of weight recently. I said yes and told her about my surgery. She said when you lose a lot of weight in a short time that the fat can shift. I'm to just take Tylenol for the pain and it should be better in a few days. They want me to repeat tests in six months just as a cautionary measure. Has this happened to any of you. It hurts so bad and I am so swollen. Maybe a heating pad would help? I'm happy it's not something serious. Just a weird thing to happen. Wanda

Hi Wanda, I'm so glad to hear it's nothing serious and that it should be better in a few days. Amazing how much our bodies change with weightloss and things like this can creep up and scare the bejezus out of us! I'll keep you in my prayers. Sorry, this has not happened to me so I have no real advice. Did the NP say anything about using a heating pad? You might want to call back and ask what else you can do besides the Tylenol to help you feel more comfortable. Hang in there! ~Heather

Wow that is scary! I have not had it happen to me, but it is good to know that it is possible! I am glad it is not more serious though, and thankful that we have technology to be sure of that! Hope the tylenol helps with the discomfort!

Wanda, I have not had this happen to me, however I had several lumps removed two years ago that were suspected breast cancer. Before my surgery, I had alot of pain and often swelling. I would alternate ice packs and heat to the area (try 15 minutes each). It did not take it away but it was much more tolerable. Also, I used to let warm water hit the area when I was in the shower.....I would face the shower head, put my arms on the wall in front of me, and relax, allowing the water run freely on it for as long as I could stand there. I also found that Aleve and Ibuprofen worked better then Tylenol. Hope this helps! Heather J.

Hi Wanda I am glad it is nothing serious. I hope you feel better soon.

I saw my surgeon for my two month visit and told him about my problem and asked if anyone else has had this. He said he has never heard of this. Strange. He checked me out and said he thinks I bumped it and there is a large hematoma. I don't remember hitting it. Oh well, he said as long as I had the mamo and ultrasound that I should be ok. He said he would check it again at my three month visit. Wanda