First, thank you to everyone who commented and e-mailed to show your support during the past few weeks. After I found the lump in my breast, it triggered a lot of emotions, primarily confusion and fear. Knowing that so many of you have been through the process and it turned out to be nothing, or that if it was something, you had been able to persevere was a great source of comfort.
After several tests, the doctor determined that the lump in my breast — accompanying pain and swelling — was caused by an infection. It’s an uncommon diagnosis since I am neither breastfeeding, nor rocking a sweet nipple piercing (as if). But I am exceptionally grateful that it is something treatable and far less serious than initially feared.
Thank you again for all your support, it meant the world to me.
xoxo, Belle
32 comments
s says:
clicking the title of this post, i totally expected to read some terrible news. i’m so glad it was nothing serious. <3
s says:
(well, not *that* serious, anyway.)
PS says:
Glad to hear that it isn’t anything worse, you must be so relieved!
Ral says:
Am really happy to hear it isn’t what you thought it might be! Long time reader here, although I rarely comment. Great blog! Take care!
Tbdl says:
Belle and nipple pearling s are two words that do not belong in the same sentence!! but seriously, I am glad that you are ok!
Nancy says:
Great news, thank you so much for sharing it!
Kristen says:
Glad to hear the good news! Take care, Kristen
Shelly says:
I’m so glad! Take care of yourself.
k says:
I absolutely love the “BE Alive” calendar reminder..I’m in my 40s and have done maybe two breast exams in my life (but I’ve had 2 mammograms). For some reason, doing the exam on your birthday really struck me. Thanks, Belle–I seriously do not know how you manage your time, but I’m happy to have your blog in my life and this is one of the many reasons. Glad lumpgate will be over soon 🙂
Lauren says:
Phew! Thank you for taking time to make us all think about how important our breast health is! Wishing you a quick recovery
Whitney Gibbs says:
Whew! Glad you caught it and it can be treated.
Sharon says:
I’m so glad the lump is not what you feared! Thank you for sharing your personal journey. It has inspired me to be more proactive in my health. Best of luck!
Amy says:
If this is anything like mastitis from breastfeeding, I don’t know how you have dealt with it for this long! I went from manageable pain in my breast at 3 am to completely delirious, 103F fever, turning up the heat to 80 even though it was summer in southern California in less than 12 hours. Luckily once I got antibiotics the pain mostly went away in 12 hours and was completely gone in a week. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Maureen says:
Great news! I wish I had read your earlier post cuz the same thing happened to me a few years ago. When I called my MD for an appointment, I told the nurse that I could swear I had mastitis even though I hadn’t breast fed in 12 years. When I saw him he was so concerned that he sent me across the street to breast specialists. I was terrified. Turns out I did have mastitis, which as you know, is very unusual for non nursing women. The doctors told me that athletic women — mostly runners — can get infections from wearing tight fitting sports bras and not changing out of them immediately after workouts — something I’m guilty of doing on a regular basis. Any tiny bit of chaffing on the nipple can harbor infection. I wrote a blog post about my experience hoping people would find it when researching the condition online. See link below…
Jule says:
What a relief! Very happy to hear this – wishing you well!
Elisse says:
Thank you for sharing this and I’m glad you’ll be okay. Back in 2010 I came down with a painful case of mastitis. The doctor told me it was due to the breastfeeding. I informed her I didn’t even have children. Not even a little bit pregnant. She was surprised and I almost expected her to say, “Are you sure?” It’s important for doctors to realize these things have common risk factors but are not the ONLY ways it happens. It was painful but I never had another incident. In fact, now I DO have a child and it never happened while I was breastfeeding. Ha! Hope you feel better soon.
Whitney says:
I’m so glad you’re ok, Belle! I’ve been thinking about you. I love your blog! Best of luck as you finish law school.
Trisha says:
So glad you’re OK. Love this blog, and thanks for sharing the awareness.
cara says:
Yay Belle, so happy for you! Way to go and keep on keep on!
Pamela says:
What great news! I have been thinking of you!
Rachel says:
Really glad to hear it, Belle!!
Meredith says:
Wow. I am so glad to hear it is something treatable and you are ok. Thanks for sharing such a personal story. I am pretty good about self exams, but your story caused me to add a monthly calendar reminder so I can be more diligent.
Jennifer says:
Glad to hear you are ok! Thanks for sharing your story and for spreading the word on the importance of self exams.
Jennifer says:
Good news!
Mary says:
Thanks for updating. I am often lazy about self exams, but I marked the 18th of every month in my calendar to do them this year.
LS says:
Phew what a relief. So glad it wasn’t serious.
CLS says:
So glad to hear that you will be ok. Great news, and hope you recover from the infection quickly!
Danielle says:
So glad to hear it’s a treatable infection. And Bravo!!!! to you for putting it out there and using something really personal and scary to raise awareness for us all!!
EAG says:
Glad to hear! I had a random infection as well and it was super scary not to know for sure if it was an infection or something more.
Monica says:
So good to hear it’s something treatable! I hope they are able to relieve your pain and treat the infection quickly.
Shelley says:
That’s great news. Glad it’s all OK.
Emcie Kaye says:
Thank God! I’ve been keeping you in my prayers, Belle. I’m so glad to hear this news.