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Even though I possess a set of my own, breasts remain a mystery to me. Not their function, or their shape and size, but what leaves me in a state of constant perplexity is the difference between a healthy breast versus one that may be a little ill. I am constantly poking, prodding and feeling them to make sure that all is as it should be.
The haven’t changed much in the 15 odd years that I have had them, and yet the lumps and bumps that I encounter always leave me wondering if what I find is normal breast tissue or something that really shouldn’t be there. Anytime a ‘new’ anomaly is found they are further poked and prodded, by myself and then Hugin [What? Second opinions are important.] until they are left abused and bruised.* Sadly, I must confess that my breasts are not they only ones that are abused. Hugin’s, though anatomically not the same, have become some form of comparison study just so that I can ensure myself that the weird knotty masses that I meet are indeed those of bulging [cough]weak[cough] muscles tissue. Yes, I am a woman in need of much help
I have looked at diagrams, articles and tried almost every self breast examination chart out there, and I still am not sure if a: I am doing it right and b: if what I encounter on my weekly [read daily] forays is suppose to be there. I have held discussions with other woman to determine if they too have difficulty in determining what should or should not be, and if they go through the same monthly queries of is this right? The answers are yes, and not as often.
One can almost say that I am obsessed with the health and well being of my breasts. But in my defence I can only say, that I rather be one poke ahead then many behind as I’ve become rather attached to my chest, petite as it may be. I am hoping that they will stay with me for as long as I live even though as a teenager I fervently wished that would just go away.
What I truly need is for someone to take me aside and show me exactly how a proper boobie examination is done; explaining what is normal, what is not and what happens to breast during that time of month. ‘Cause I know mine sure as hell change and I am never positive if they are suppose to be doing that or not.
Insights, comments and techniques are welcome.
poke. prod. pokity poke. jab!
well, I do know that they are suppose to change during that time of the month - the exact change is lost on me.
I stopped trying to figure it out and now I just leave it to my doctor(sometimes they don't want to do it, but that's their job, as far as I am concerned).
Perhaps this link will help? http://www.breastcancer.org/dia_detec_exam_idx.html
Posted by: Amber on Abril 9, 2004 12:23 AMAsk your doctor. And, do the exams during the same time each month (NOT just before your period though.)
I'd offer to help you out but I'm afraid that people would want to watch and I don't have the webcam hooked up yet so we can't charge them.
Posted by: Da Goddess on Abril 9, 2004 01:55 AMI have had a suspicious lump in my breast and had to go thru all the worry til I had an ultrasound.Now I know that the lumps within the actual breast are not usually much of a concern.But any lumps in the area ABOVE the breast..or lumps under the arm are of far more concern.Dont forget when examining to feel the area from the top of the breast to your neck and under arms.
Posted by: butterflies on Abril 9, 2004 12:59 PMAmber, thank you so much for the link. it helped, lots of really good info. my OB/GYN usually checks them every year. But i still worry. i think next time i am going to ask her to show me how to do a proper self breast exam. that way at least i know i'll be doing it right.
Goddess, yes i learnt the hard way that doing breast exams just before your period is a really good way to freak yourself out. i think my exact response was. omg where did all those lumps come from?!? i've set the baseline check for a couple of days after. things seems to be a little more 'normal' then.
Help out? hmm? *impish smile* well we're just going to have to scrounge up some money to get you here then ;o) as for the webcam, i'm sure we could figure something out... ;o}
Butterflies, thank you so much sharing your story. *warm smile*
Maybe if you posted pics of them, we could be of more assistance.
No, huh?
Posted by: guruvious on Abril 11, 2004 11:54 AMYes, yes! Pictures of your breasts!
Posted by: Da Goddess on Abril 13, 2004 02:06 AMG and G. i would, but we don't have a macro lens powerful enough to capture them, so sadly it would be an exercise in futility. ;op
all this of course to say that i'm painfully shy and don't react well to cameras.