All for the breast

A very rare blog post with no photos for a change. It’s been a bit of a week, last Friday I went to the doctor because I have what I thought was a skin tag which is getting bigger and causing pain.

The GP didn’t think there was anything to worry about but did a breast examination and found a lump on my other breast so she referred me to Galway to have a mammogram and check out both problems. Previously this would have been done in Sligo but since the cancer services have been removed from Sligo Regional Hospital it now means a trip to Galway.

I was told it would take between two or three weeks to get an appointment but I got a call on Monday to ask me to come today (Friday). I was a bit worried about how quickly I’d been called but I had convinced myself that there was nothing to worry about and that I was fine, still there was that little niggling thought at the back of my mind, it’s been a long week waiting!

Anyway the family wanted to come to Galway with me but I wanted to be on my own, I would have been worried about them if they were there. A friend also offered to come along with me but I’m quite independent and felt it was something I wanted to do alone. Andy suggested I went up the night before as my appointment was at 8.30am so I found a cheap place to stay and drove up last night. I’d planned a bit of a photo-trip around it – taking a few night shots of Galway last night and coming home via Connemara today. The weather was against me though so there aren’t many photos.

Back to the appointment. The minute I arrived at the hospital I was called in to see a doctor. She examined me and drew a mark on the area she wanted the consultant to look at, she also looked at the skin tag. After a few minutes the consultant came in and examined me, he explained they would do a mammogram and possibly an ultrasound scan if they felt I needed it. He also said depending on what showed up I may need a biopsy to test the tissue.

I had to wait for about 25 minutes and was called for the mammogram. The radiologists were lovely, very friendly, they have to travel from Castlebar to see patients. The mammogram was a bit uncomfortable, mainly because they have to put quite a bit of pressure on the breast to get a clear picture but it’s only for a minute and it is bearable. Four images were taken in total two from the front and two from the side. I was told I would need an ultrasound so I had to go back and sit in the waiting room.

So after a brief wait I had the ultrasound done. I have to admit I’m nosey so I looked at the images as the scan was being done so the consultant explained them to me and showed me images of what the breast tissue should look like and showed me the lump on mine, which he explained is a lipoma which is a non-cancerous fatty lump. So very happy days…I was so happy I almost left the room without my top on!

I was showed back to the original consultation room and saw the original doctor who told me the lipoma could have been caused by a trauma (I did get a wallop from a bit of furniture when we were moving). He also said the skin tag is an intraductal papilloma, which is nothing to worry about, I can get it removed in the future if it continues growing.

I’d encourage you all to check your breasts regularly and don’t be alarmed if you do find a lump as the majority of them are not cancer. The staff in University College Hospital were all very good and understanding and although it’s quite embarressing having your top off for much of the time you do get used to it. Just be aware that it’s very expensive to park there, I was there for just over two hours and it cost €6. So that was my week, I can get back to some kind of normality now.