Lumpy lady lumps

For most of my late 30s and 40s, I had lumpy breasts. That’s the informal term for having benign cysts. My doctor first discovered them during a routine exam. I heard the dreaded words women fear “You have a lump in your breast.” Quickly afterwards though, she reassured me by telling me she was positive it was a cyst. She showed me exactly where it was and why it had all the characteristics of a cyst and not a tumour. It felt spongy, not firm – like you could almost grab it. It got larger and more sensitive as my period approached. I am so thankful for her calm demeanor and knowledge. I still walked out of the office feeling slightly numb and scared. But an ultrasound shortly thereafter confirmed her belief. I had not only one, but many cysts. The women in the lab showed me exactly where all of my cysts were located and every week, every month I tracked their size and location.

One month they were particularly painful. Any slight movement or jiggle, even just rolling over in bed – made them sore. So I went back to the lab to have them drained. With a needle. Now, I don’t have an issue with getting needles. I can watch myself get a blood test without getting nauseous. So the idea of getting poked 4 to 5 times to drain them didn’t bother me. One of the cysts was kind of under my left nipple, which, I admit, was uncomfortable. But the result made it all worth it. They drained about a cup of fluid from my aching breasts and I felt like a new woman! Of course, the girls shrunk about a cup size. But I learned a valuable lesson through that experience. You’ve got to feel yourself up! Or make sure someone else does, and that someone else will tell you if there’s something unusual going on. After telling that story to a few girlfriends, they asked me to feel their breasts to see if they had cysts. Yes, I did, and also recommended they get them checked out by their doctor.

I take the approach that knowledge is power. And being knowledgeable about my own changing, hormonal body is so important. Sometimes I use a nice oil in the shower so I moisturize and check my lumps at the same time. Just remember to give the girls the love and attention they deserve.