Hello all, My wife is waiting on some test results and we are both anxious and concerned. My wife is 54 and for some months now had been having some pain in her left breast, she describes it as a sort of “warm feeling” in the breast with some pain going down her left arm to her elbow.
Some weeks after having the initial pain she noticed some leakage from her left nipple which was a clear substance. Her doctor made an appointment for her to have a mammogram but said there was nothing to worry about as it was more than likely just a blocked duct or cyst.
I accompanied my wife to the hospital appointment and the doctor examined her breasts and said she thought my wife could possibly have a papilloma (spelling?)
She sent my wife to have the mammogram and said she would be able to tell us more when she saw the result of this. My wife got the mammogram done, but after it as we were waiting for the results the radiologist told my wife she would need an ultra scan done, so my wife had one done, as she was about to get dressed after having the ultra scan done the radiologist apologised and asked my wife to go back around to have another mammogram done…My wife had it done, then we went back around to the ultrasound radiologist…who then said…my wife would need to have a biopsy…by this time we were both VERY concerned. The radiologist took three biopsy’s from my wife’s left breast and said she had left some sort of “arrows” in there so that if the surgeon needed to explore he would know where to look…on hearing this we were both just about floored! As we were leaving she also said if my wife had any problems she should contact the breast cancer nurse.
Bare in mind up until that day no cancer was ever suspected or mentioned so this talk came as a complete jolt to us both. The radiologist said there was no need for us to go back around to see the doctor that we could go home to await the call from the cancer nurse on Thursday with the results of my wifes tests.
Apparently on Thursday mornings there is a meeting of the radiographers and surgeons and doctors to discuss the various tests…So now we are waiting for the phone call on Thursday afternoon. Is what I described above a typical scenario?..Are we being overly concerned? I know nothing will be clear until Thursday but every scenario good and bad is being played out in our minds…Maybe someone can let us know what this chain of events means if anything unusual?
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums, I’m sure you’ll get lots of good support from the many informed users of this site.
While you are waiting for replies could I suggest that you give the helpline here a ring and have a chat with one of the staff, who are all either breast care nurses or people who have personal experience of breast care issues. Calls to the helpline are free, lines open Mon - Fri 9-2 and Sat 9-2, 0808 800 6000.
This scenario doesn’t sound unusual at all, it’s a relief that your wife has been able to have her mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies done quickly and you won’t have to wait too long for your results. (although it doesn’t seem like this to you!).
I have had mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies and the waiting for results is really the worst time. At my hospital they have a Mutli- Disclipinary Team that consists of surgeons, breast care nurse, radiographers, oncologists that meet weekly to discuss patients and like you I always had to wait until Monday afternoon before anyone would ring with a result or result of a discussion.
Try not to look too deeply at what was said and how things were said. I remember my friend saying to me when I said the radiographer looked very concerned when doing my ultrasound - she said he was probably working out what he was going to cook for dinner! It’s very difficult and I understand what you are going through, try to keep busy and do some nice things together over the next few days to pass the time and try not to worry too much. Hard I know …
Your wife is very lucky to have someone as supportive as you …
Hi Weeguy… just to echo what pinkrose has said, the chain of events at the breast clinic are absolutely normal, as is waiting for the team meeting before results are given.
The waiting is the worst part of all, and the unknown more frightening than anything - our imaginations are our own worst enemy at this stage.
Wishing you best wishes for Thursday, in the meantime try and keep busy and try not to ‘google’
Marguerite
Sympathies for being in the waiting room, it’s a horrible place to be. We know what it’s like as we’ve all been there. You might find it helpful to read some of the leaflets on this site in the meantime as there are things that it could be that isn’t breast cancer, and most lumps referred to breast clinics aren’t cancer. Click on Media centre at the top of the page and look at the “worried” section.
You and your wife might also find it useful to have a chat with the helpline, they are very good, the number’s at the top of every page.
@jo Thanks for the warm welcome jo and for the helpline phone numbers…Much appreciated.
@pinkrose Thanks for the welcome to the forum and for helping to ease our minds. I think this Muti- Disclipinary Team you mention is a similar thing as to what was mentioned to my wife. Your post has been a great help toward easing our minds a little Thank you. As for my wife being lucky to have someone as supportive as me… I don’t know…but I am certainly blessed to have spent the last 33 years married to a truly wonderful woman.
@Marguerite You are so right, the waiting is terrible and our imagination can play havoc. I am trying hard not to read too much into every little detail. My wife prefers not to talk about it, but is looking at Thursday positively and thinks she will have a good test result…I hope so…but just can’t help wondering what if it’s not. Google has been my best friend and worst enemy since we got this news! Thanks for the best wishes.
@CM Thanks for helping put our minds at ease a little…“The waiting room” definetly is a horrible place…Thursday cannot come quick enough we just want to know what exactly the problem is…The doctor had mentioned BEFORE any of the scans that it could we be a papilloma (sp?) and if it was it would have to be surgically removed…My wife wasn’t fazed by this news and if that is what it is we will both see this as being bad but not as bad as it could have been. Thanks for wishing us luck.
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We will keep everyone informed as to how the tests went when we get them on Thursday. Big thankyou to everyone and best wishes for the future for all the woman on the forum dealing with this dreadful illness.
Well after my wife taking the day of from work yesterday to await that important call that never came, my wife decided to phone the breast cancer nurse from her work this morning. Good news…worth the wait…Her scan and biopsy came back clear…They also said the nipple discharge was nothing to be concerned about. My wife is very relieved as am I. She couldn’t give me many more details over the phone…but suffice to say we are a very relieved and thankful couple.
Thanks to everyone here for their concern and kind and reassuring words, your kindness and empathy helped a great deal over the past few worrying days. Best wishes and good luck to everyone of you for the future and good luck to anyone else waiting on test results.