Thursday, February 10, 2011

One Woman's Breast Cancer Story

Mrs M.L. 'My Story So Far......'


On Tuesday 5th October I was looking after my 3 year old grand-daughter. We were getting ready to go out with a friend of mine who has a daughter of a similar age.

As usual I was late and in a hurry, whilst showering I noticed a knobbly lump on the top of my left breast, my hands were soapy and this made the lump more evident. I immediately panicked when I realised what it could be.


I had been fortunate in having had the same doctors for many years and I did not hesitate, I got on the phone straight away and made an appointment to see him at his morning surgery two days later, on Thursday October 7th. During those two days the lump was continuously on my mind but I only examined myself once more just to make sure. After that I could not bring myself to touch it anymore until just before I was admitted to hospital nearly four weeks later. I decided not to tell my family although I had a very strong sense the lump was serious. I am very close to my family and I did not want to worry them until I was sure. This was not an easy thing to do and I was constantly in two minds.
Thursday 7th October - I visit my G.P.
The day of my appointment was a day of very mixed emotions. I was very confused, one minute I was feeling very positive and the next very frightened. I had had two previous mammogram scares but I knew this lump was very different from a cyst I had had fourteen years ago, and I now had a real gut feeling that this was going to be a different result from the last two.

I arrived at the G.P. surgery for my appointment with Dr Ian Roberts and after a brief tem minute wait I was called through to his room. He examined me and explained that regrettably he could not discount the lump, he also checked under my arm and said how pleased he was that this area was clear.