51. Boob squishing time!

I've been suffering with a swollen and painful right boob for a month now. Its go to a stage where wearing a bra was starting to hurt, even just the soft elastic ones.

I assumed it was just Lymphoedema but it started to feel like a bit of a lump just right of my boob.

I felt like a bit of a hypochondriac but I thought it's better to be safe than sorry. So I called the breast care team and explained my symptoms. That was on the Friday, but Friday afternoon I had an appointment on the Monday afternoon. The nurse on the phone assured me I am doing the right thing getting it checked out.

Monday came around quick and it was off to the Hospital. They do a clinic on Wednesday and I guess in a Monday as well! Gives anyone a chance to pop in and get looked at.

I was running late due to traffic and as soon as I got to the Outpatients waiting room I was called in. I didn't even get a chance to check in!

So off into one of the little room again with a nurse and a health care assistant.

I get undressed and lie on the bed.

The nurse said straight away she could see the Lymphoedema, the skin was slightly pinkish and swollen.

As soon as I laid back she said it started to drain slightly.

She asked me when I was due my yearly mammogram, which I said would be around April/May time.

After having a look at my notes, she said as long as my pain wasn't too pain she would bring that forward and get that done today along with an ultrasound. She would also refer me to the Lymphoedema clinic to see if they can help with that side of things.

In my head, I didn't care too much how painful it was, I've spent the last 5 months in a bit of a limbo not knowing if the cancerous lump has gone 100% of not. So yeah I'm up for a mammogram.

I was walked round to the radiology department and sat down in the waiting room there.

Less than 10 mins and I got called in.

I always find all the nurses so friendly. The lady doing the mammogram, similar to the first one that did my mammogram explained she is a bit bossy but it's only cause they want to get the scans right first time.

As I walked into the room I put my stuff on the chair and she asked for my details before I took my top off. She said "let's get to know each other a bit before undressing" 🤣

Details shared and the top comes off. I walk over to the machine and the nurse directs you on where you need to be. It's like, bum out, boob forward, turn to the left a bit ans put your shoulder back. It's like a game of twister with the machine!!

Luckily I didn't find it too painful as most the swelling was round the side of my boob.

Get dressed and round to ultrasound. The young health care assistant there gasped as I went to lay down....she said they were out of towels!! Luckily I'm not shy, I said not to worry, I'm getting my boobs out anyway!

The nurse doing the actual ultrasound was the same one that put the marker clip in before my surgery. She did remember me, which was helpful as she knew where to look.

Before they started they explained they had a new gel warmer, which it meant to help that cold wet gel feel a bit more comfortable when it goes on...unfortunately it wasn't very good the gel was still cold!! 🥶😄

She pressed down hard to look deep in my boob, and, ouch...that hurt! Yep, that's definitely where the swelling is.

Straight away she said from the mammogram and what she can see on the ultrasound everything looks good. No nasties left, just general scarring from surgery and radiotherapy. It's exactly what they expect to see.

Yay! Looks like I'm all clear! 😃🙂

Next mammogram will be in 2023 and I will have one every year now until I'm 50!

Just need to wait for my referral to the Lymphoedema clinic, for now I just have to keep massaging it twice a day to help drain it.

But all good news on the rest!