Hello all. New to this, but found the site after an anxious morning googling statistics on the chances of finding a malignant lump at a core needle biopsy.
I’m 39, with two gorgeous children. Found a lump a couple of months ago and finally summoned up the courage to visit the GP 10 days ago, fully expecting him to diagnose a cyst and send me away. However, he referred me urgently to the breast clinic which I attended yesterday. After a mammogram, was then dispatched for ultrasound, during which the consultant said he’d perform a core needle biopsy there and then, to save me the inconvenience of returning another day.
I am extremely nervous, having assumed the breast clinic trip would merely be a reassuring formality. Now, however I am reliving the whole experience - one minute clinging to the consultant’s comment that it was probably a glandular mass, and the next fretting that the breast care nurse put her hand on my arm sympathetically as she told me that unfortunately I was one of the more interesting cases that morning.
I find it difficult to communicate my fears with my husband - he frets, which would wind me up further. But I’m feeling physically sick and close to tears, and finding it impossible to concentrate on anything else.
I have been told that they will discuss my case at the weekly review on Thursday, assuming the lab results are back in time. Failing that, I’ll have to wait another week to get the call.
Hello Fitzimum
Welcome to the forums, this must be a very worrying time for you but you have come to the right place for support from our experienced users who I’m sure will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime you may like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 to 2.00.
Best wishes
June, moderator
I am so sorry you have to be here and going through this. I really hope that your results would come back as negative, a benign lump, 90% off the lumps are.
Sending you a big hug.
xx
Thank you for your kind words. I feel somewhat fraudulent being here in the first place, given the extraordinary courage of some of the forum members and the fact that there’s every chance I’ve nothing to worry about.
I need to get a grip and get on! x
I hope you get your results quickly and that you get good news. The waiting is awful. I was referred by my GP to the breast clinic last week and have my appointment next Monday. I’m 40 yrs old with a toddler and 2 teenage step children. I know what you mean about not worrying your husband - i feel the same.
Take care and hope you get your results very soon.
Lucy x
i know exactly what you mean about feeling a fraud.There are some extremely coragous ladies on here that have been or will be going through years of treatment. And my silly questions sometimes feel like an insult to their bravery.
But everyone remembers what it was like at the beging. Its like being hit with a sledge hammer and the wait for appoinments and results can be such a strain. We are told 90% of lumps are bening, but it does not stop you thinking --what if??
Everybody is realy supportive so dont let the apparent sillyness of your questions put you off. Use this site to ask questions, rant, express worry etc. Everybody is here for you.
Thanks, Lucy. Ditto - good luck on Monday.
In fact the breast clinic experience wasn’t too bad, apart from finding myself topless on four separate occasions - a first for a Monday morning! By the end of it, pride had long gone and I was stripping off in rather a carefree fashion…
xxx
i’d better get ready for flashing mine this Monday!!! Not how i normally spend my Mondays…!
Hello all
Have just had an appointment through for next Tuesday for core biopsy results.
The breast care nurse told me on the phone today that while she has the results they are not yet verified. She did say that I would have to have the lump removed, but gave me the impression that it’s what they would do anyway for a hard lump in a woman my age (39). Is that right?
xxx
It all depends on what it is. There’s something called fibroadenoma which is a benign condition that gives lumps that usually get whipped out, there are probably other things it could be that also aren’t cancer, but until you get your results your mind won’t be completely at rest, and the waiting’s horrible.
Don’t feel a fraud - you’re not. The waiting for results is absolutely the worst part of all of this I reckon, whatever the results bring, because your imagination does all sorts of nasty things to you. Hopefully it’ll be good news when you go back for your results, and in the meantime you might find it helpful to try to distract yourself. Some people have gone bananas on housework (not me, I hasten to add!), others plan busy weekends out with the family, others decorate the living room, others book good evenings out with friends, but do their darndest to keep busy so they don’t have the time to brood and worry.
Please let us know how you get on, and don’t overdo the keeping busy thing too much either, you don’t have to do ALL the things I suggested…
Fitzimum, the Waiting Room is a stressful place - we’ve all been there.
I had a fibroadenoma removed when I was 33. If that’s what it is, the scar will be very, very discreet.
Good luck.
Thanks for your lovely support. It’s given me the boost I needed, and my OH will confirm there’s certainly no shortage of housework to get stuck into here. Must confess to being rather more tempted by the suggestion to socialise!
xxx
hi, I dont have any medical knowledge, but I think you are right, even if its a benign lump they would want to take it out. I dont think the nurse knows more and is keeping it from you, otherwise she would have just ommitted to tell you that you are going to be having an operation.
I think with some lumps they look benign but they like to get them out and in the lab just to make sure.Also I think in future years the benign lump would obscure part of your breast on the mammograms and something could develop that they could not see because of the lump.
No surgery is nice, but if its just a lumpectomy it is not that bad. I had mine last tuesday and today i forgot and put my dresssing gown on by putting the good arm in the sleeve first and swinging the bad one round afterwards. Much to my amazement it did not hurt, so i am realy on the mend. The surgeon says the scar looks as if it will heal well. I have not seen it yet but the dressing is not very big.
as ever choccie muffin is giving good advice, so what treats you can organise for yourself.
Also look at your diary over the next few weeks. Depending on the results and theatre availablity they will want to take it out in 2 to 4 weeks. If there is a speech day or a wedding in that time you need to take the dates in to the appointment. Obvioulsy your health is the most important thing but it might suit you more to have it one time rather than another, and if they say it makes no difference to your health you might decide to book the operation date to fit in with what else is going on. (or you might just want it out as quick as possible and forget about everything else) my date fell in the second week of our family holiday in france. I would have been happy waiting another week but then the surgeon would have been away and i was not prepared to wait three weeks.
and as CM says dont feel a fraud, everybody here is happy to hold your hand or answer question or whatever it is you need
First of all as everyone has said before, you need not feel a fraud. Waiting for results and surgery is time of anxiety for almost everyone.
Also, when they said your lump was interesting it probably means just that; interesting. Lumps can be interesting without being cancer. And they do remove benign lumps as well as cancerous lumps. My cousin had one removed in her early 20’s. I hope your lump is benign, too.
Gutted. Found out this morning that I have invasive grade 2 ductal breast cancer, with associated intermediate DCIS. Have WLE and SNB booked for 3 August - that seems a world away. Breast care nurse was just lovely, but I want to crack on with this. Waiting another 4 weeks (+ an extra week for lymph node results) seems crazy. Need to know what I’m dealing with, and then can battle. xxx
Hi there so sorry to hear that 
once the surgery is done & you know what is what & have treatment plan in place you will feel more in control, try not to think too far ahead, just take one day at a time, Give the helpline here a call with any medical questions.
Keep a note pad & pen handy to write down any questions you want to ask your team & your BN call her too whenever you need to there is NO such thing as a stupid question, if its bugging you its important. Your going to need time for the shock to hit & for it all to sink in, your head will be in a total whirlwind, but it does get better.
Whenever you feel you can’t cope or just want someone to lean on or just want to write down how you are feeling just come in here there is always someone to answer your posts & everyone is so lovely & caring … your not alone we are all here
Big Hugs
Mekala x
Fitzimum - what a bummer. Sorry you’ve joined us, I was hoping you’d be back on here telling us it was all benign.
Mekalar’s got you started on the tips, there are quite a few threads from various new ladies that contain some of the key ones, most importantly THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A SILLY QUESTION.
Some people have found it good to get away for a break before the onslaught of cancer treatment, is this something you could think about doing?
You might find yourself not sleeping well. If this is the case and it’s getting you down, there’s no shame in looking for a bit of short-term chemical assistance in sleeping.
Don’t be in a mad rush to tell everyone, take the time you need to get your head round the diagnosis, and then decide who needs to know and who just doesn’t.
DON’T GO MAD ON GOOGLE. You could end up scaring yourself to death.
Hi Fitzimum
Sorry you have joined us. Like you I hoped that it was just a benign cyst or an infection, unfortunately it is not. I had the scans on Friday and will find out in the morning the extent of the little critter. I am also hoping to get some idea of when the op might be.
The waiting does drag you down, but when I had the scans I felt like it had all become slightly more real.
Use the forum to ask questions, I have found everyone really helpful and supportive.
I just want the treatment to start so that I can get on with my life and get better, but I know I have to take one stage at a time.
All the best
Anne x
Dear Fitzimum
I’m so sorry to hear your news and can really understand the frustration at having to wait for your op. The only good thing is maybe it will give you and your family time to get your heads around it and make plans so your little ones can be looked after while you have the op, etc. I’m terrible at waiting for anything so really understand.
Will be thinking of you xxx