Hi, I’m just introducing myself, first time on here.
I’m about to turn 70 in May, and had my last scheduled screening mammogram a few weeks ago. The last thing I expected was to get a recall having never had any problems. I’ve just spent a week worrying about what might have been found, and had already been reading some of the posts in this forum.
They have taken biopsies from an area in my left breast which only showed up on the mammogram (no palpable lump). I was convinced the problem was with my right breast and had already self-diagnosed! What do I know? Thank goodness for the screening programme.
Now the 2-week wait for the results - I’m not expecting an all-clear but I’m strangely calm now after meeting such amazing professionals. It’s also been lovely to read everyone’s support for each other on the forum.
I’m currently in the same position as you after a recall from mammogram and awaiting biopsy results from an apparently very small blob in my right breast. I can only describe myself as feeling a bit numb at the moment - get results on 7 May. I too have been reading posts on here and it’s actually quite reassuring. Good luck with your results
Hello,
The waiting anxiety is awful, from myself waiting from quite a few scans, if its urgent they will contact you . The treatment they have now is amazing and all the staff nhs are fantastic.
Everyone on here will tell you waiting is the worst part. When I was in your position, I didn’t believe them, but now I’m mid-treatment and I know what’s going on, I do feel a lot calmer as you then get into a routine and go with the motions.
Will keep my fingers crossed for you for good news, but if it isn’t, there’s so much stuff available to help. Sending hugs xx
@liv1liv1l The waiting is without a doubt the worst part , and my only advice is, try not to google too much because you will read conflicting advice and articles that will frighten you to death ! Until you know the results of your biopsy, you don’t know accurately what you are dealing with .
Try and arrange something nice, like a lunch date with a friend or family , nice things to look forward to and take your mind off things.
I was strangely calmer waiting for my biopsy results than I was waiting for my initial referal , because I knew by this point it was cancer and it was just a case of .. the precise diagnosis .
Remember that you can contact our breast nurses first advice either while waiting or once you have your results x
Thank you for your reply. I don’t know if you have any advice on the following. I probably know the answers but it’s good to put it into words.
I’m now realising, in the middle of the night, that I am highly anxious about two things. One practical and one connected to today’s biopsies.
My appointment for results is 8 May, and I’m due to fly on holiday 13 May for three weeks: my 70th birthday bash with family. I’m wondering whether it would delay any treatment, so should I cancel? My kids would probably lose their airfares (easyjet policy). (This all sounds silly as I look at it, but it’s what’s keeping me up at 3.45am)
The reason I’m worried about this is because of today’s/yesterday’s biopsies. Although my left armpit nodes were clear, I have felt that my right lower neck nodes have been swollen for a while now (which is partly why I thought that the problem was with my right breast, when I had the recall).
My neck was not examined and I didn’t think to mention it. I was relieved, I suppose, that it was the left breast (and that little speck on the screen looked quite tiny). I’m wondering whether I should ask to be seen before the results appointment in 2 weeks or does it seem a bit paranoid?
Sorry for the ramblings… and good to hear from people.
I’m kind of in the same position - I get biopsy results on 7 May and go on holiday on 5 June, a week celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary and my sister in laws 60 th birthday. Hoping I don’t have to cancel as don’t want to let others down but now worrying about whether it’ll impact treatment if I do get told it’s BC. I’ve decided all I can do is to wait until my results day and see what happens before making any decisions and deal with it then. No idea how quickly treatment starts once diagnosed, hopefully others will be along with some idea.
Let me know how you get on with your results, if you don’t mind. It’s quite surreal that so many are going through this waiting game, and so many before us.
I spoke with a BCN nurse about my other worries on the phone. She put my mind at rest (sort of). This space and service are brilliant. It’s a bit like the waiting room at the breast test centre.
Glad you’re mind has been put at rest a little! Yes I’ll let you know what my results are. From what I’ve read this waiting game is the worst bit and people feel better once they know one way or the other. Hopefully we will both be lucky and don’t have BC Let me know how you get on as well xx
I know every trust is different, but I had my biopsies done on the 10th Feb and my first chemo session was on the 23rd March. It was supposed to start the week before, but there was no space at my trust.
I was needed for various blood tests and appointments before the start of chemo and also had to have a MRI, but that was the week after diagnosis on the 18th and 19th February. Then, it was just a waiting game for chemo to start.
I know everyone’s experiences are different, but mine is for an aggressive type of cancer and it took 6 weeks before the start of chemo.
Hope that helps.
Wish you luck and hope the results are positive (in a good way!) xx
Hi sorry to hear you’re having a hard time of it, try not to worry ( easier said than done)
I’m a few weeks ahead of you had a biopsy which came back ad positive with an invasion lobular carcinoma. As the lump was quite small managed to only have a lumpectomy, stayed in overnight and was driving within 10 days , biopsy taken on lymph nodes nodes . I’ve just had the all clear but will have radiation therapy for maybe 3 weeks then an option of taking hormone treatment. As I’m nearly 74 I’m going to think seriously about taking these drugs for years there’s a lot of research saying that it’s not that beneficial at my age .
Wishing you all the best and you’re in good hands, they have everything covered .
Hello Liv. We all seem to be on the waiting train. I am three weeks tomorrow from a single full mastectomy and my pathology results are due 8 May on my sentinel node (the main ones) etc. Deep breathe as much as you can during the day and before bed, as many beaches as are comfortable, then hold for 3 to 4 seconds and let it all out. I came home from hospital with a nasty respiratory infection so I could not breathe even shallowly with coughing. Virus finally leaving now and I can breathe again to calm my body. I would not suggest to you or others to cancel your plans, you need this glorious time together and any treatment if needed will not happen that immediately. All good wishes. Debs
Hi I was in a similar position to you. Went for my 5 th mammogram and no obvious lumps but sadly they found what they described as a very small nodule.
The speed and quality of care was amazing. The waiting is hell but just have to take a day at a time.
Im in the process of having treatment now. Please msg me if you wanted anymore information.
I signed up for ‘Someone like me’ & my contact has been an amazing support.
I’m blown away by the messages of support and everyone’s stories.
I am taking each day as it comes now, but with a view as to how to cross each bridge. If that makes sense?
I joined another ‘club’ many years ago when I had my daughter who has Down’s syndrome. My mantra then was ‘cross each bridge as you come to it’. So now my thoughts are turning to how to tell her the news if I need treatment (which I’m sort of prepared for).
One thing I do know is that it’s good to talk about it - whatever ‘it’ is. So when I get the results and speak to the rest of my family (only my sister knows at the moment) although it may be a shock, I’ll feel lighter knowing we can support each other.
Again, what lovelysupport there is on here. When I signed up, I felt a ‘fraud’ for jumping in too early (not having had the results yet).
Thank you for sharing your story and being so open. Every time I read of someone’s experience, I feel honoured that you shared and are somehow paving the way for others who are following. Does that make sense?
Thank you for sharing. I hope you are doing OK now.
It seems that there are similar time-lines for most people’s experiences. (So keeping plans for holiday).
I’m on HRT and thought I should stop it whilst waiting for results. I spoke with a BCN nurse on helpline who suggested I continue until I know the results. I guess after using it for so many years it’s not going to matter for 2 weeks.
Arty1