Sorry for the length of the post
I noticed stabbing pains, itching and changes in my right breast in september last year. I was 23 at the time and thought nothing of it at first. I didnt feel any lumps so put it down to hormones. Anyway… my partner had a small stroke not long after so my chest was the last thing on my mind. After he was sent home, hundreds of pills in hand i started to notice the stabbing again. It was my 24th birthday beginning of october (being 24 i decided to ignore the stabbing pains until after our first night out in 12 months)
2nd week of october i decided to make a doctors appointment. The doctor i saw was great. Very informative. Said he couldnt feel a lump either but would refer me to the breast clinic to be sure. Two weeks later i got my appointment. After a 2 hour bus ride and a 90 minute wait past my appointment time i was seen my a consultant. He was very rude, dismissive. He said that because i was 24 i wont have cancer, it will be hormones but will send me for an ultrasound. By this point i was so tired i just smiled, said thank you and left.
4 weeks later i had my ultrasound. I pointed to the place it was most tender and as i looked at the moniter i saw the lump. What looked like a jelly bean. The Dr told me not to worry. It is probably fiberous tissue. But my consultant will decide what to do next.
Another month later and i see my consultant again. Another 2 hours on a bus for a 5 minute appointment telling me ill need a biopsy and ill get a letter for my appointment within a week.
2 weeks go by and i ring the appointment line to see if i have missed a letter. They tell me ive been discharged from the hospital. At this point my partner is angrier than i am. I call the consultants secretary who asks me “who told you that you needed a boipsy” obviously the consultant so she said she will talk to him and call me back. 4 hours later i get a call. No apology. Just told that she has refered me for an appointment again.
Anyway, i get an appointment for 4 weeks time (seems to be a pattern). I turn up for the appointment to see a different consultant, he does a breast exam and says i need an ultrasound guided biopsy so i will have to wait for another appointment.
At this point its January. 3 months since i went to my doctor. I had my biopsy 12 days ago. I was told twice i would have my results within a week. It was last friday. I gave them 10 days ( till the monday) and called. I was told that the results are in my consultants office but he hasnt signed them so she cant give them to me.
Is this a normal time frame for results/diagnosis. Am i being treated like there is nothing wrong with me because i am young in breast cancer terms? I have a 4 year old son and a partner that i look after. Its not the stress of waiting that is bothering me. Its the way i keeo being dismissed by people but at every turn it seems like i am right and that there is something wrong.