It's a girl’s worst nightmare to find a lump anywhere on their body, let alone on their breast. About 6 months ago I detected a small bb size lump on my right breast. Being the procrastinator that I am, I did nothing about it.


About 2 weeks ago it started rapidly growing and got quite painful. It was growing so much that is became visible to my husband. He then got worried and demanded that I go to the doctor. I was past due for my annual exam anyway (see procrastinator again) so I called the OB/GYN and set my appointment for yesterday.

By Monday morning, the lump was the size of a ping pong ball and SUPER tender. It hurt to breathe and to move. I kept a warm compress on it to try to gain some relief. I started doing some massive internet searches to try to figure out what on earth was going on. I was able to set my mind at ease to find out that most cancerous tumors aren't painful. By Monday afternoon the "tumor" started oozing gross green stuff and a little blood. More internet searches. I had all the signs of a boil except there was no head on my lump. Could my "tumor" really be the same calamity that plagued Job on Old Testament time?

Tuesday morning I went in for my long overdue annual exam. This is not my favorite appointment. It was only my third since Rylee has been born (1998, 2008, 2010). I cringe at the thought of it. I assume most women feel the same way. When the doctor went to start my breast exam, I told him about my lump on my breast and expressed my concern over the tenderness. He examined it carefully and said it's an infected hair follicle. REALLY!!! A hair follicle can get this huge and painful?!? Holy cow!

So I am continuing with heat compresses and 1000mg Ibuprofen 3-4 times a day until the swelling and discomfort goes down. Perhaps I shouldn't wait for an infected hair follicle to go see the gyno, but whatever it takes to get the procrastinator to the doctor.