I’m so glad I found this forum. I’ve been reading through the posts and now I know I’m not alone with the roller-coaster of emotions I’m going through.
I’m post-menopausal and have been having spotting for months. The doctor just sent me for a scan to check that my Mirena coil was still in place which it was. Just before Easter I had 3 “periods” in a month, complete with severe breast pain and bad period pains. Another doctor in the practice tried to remove the coil but couldn’t so referred me to be seen by a gynaecologist which was on 9th May. He couldn’t remove the coil so has booked me in for a hysteroscopy and biopsy. He mentioned that my womb was rather large so I googled it when I got home (I know!). An enlarged womb could be a sign of endometrial cancer.
That weekend I felt a lump in my left breast but when I tried to find it again I couldn’t so I just thought I was being paranoid, as you do.
On 1st June I felt it again and thought I could feel a smaller lump in my right breast. Got an appointment on the Monday with yet another GP at the health centre. I only mentioned the larger lump in my left breast. I thought that if I mentioned lumps in both breasts they’d definitely think I was paranoid! The doctor said he thought that it was just a milk duct but he’d refer me to the breast clinic to be on the safe side. He asked me to phone the health centre the following day for an appointment at the breast clinic but I had a phone call from the clinic a couple of hours later with an appointment for last Thursday.
At the clinic, the consultant could feel both lumps (I hadn’t mentioned the one in my right breast) so I had a mammogram (last one was just a year ago) and ultrasound. The ultrasound confirmed that the lump in my left breast was a cyst but, when they drained it using fine needle aspiration, they found blood in the fluid which “might mean something”. The consultant said that the lump in my right breast was “rather more worrying” and they took 2 core biopsies and I have an appointment for the results tomorrow. I haven’t been able to sleep or concentrate on anything for worrying. I work as a supply teacher and, if I don’t work, I don’t get paid. However, there’s been no way I could cope with dashing off to a strange school at a moment’s notice this week with my head all over the place.
My boobs, armpits and glands under my jaw are aching as well as other aches so, naturally, I’m worried that I’ve got cancer which has spread. I am having the hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic on Thursday. When I went for the pre-op I told the nurse that my medical history had changed because of the breast lump and that I was worried about cancer. She said that I needed to ask about the results of the pelvic scan when I go in for the op. Not quite sure whether that sounds like it’s good news or bad…
Sorry for the long post…I just needed to get it off my chest. I’ll just be glad when this week’s over as at least I’ll know what I’m facing, if anything at all. The waiting really is a nightmare.
Hello Maggiemay22
Welcome to the forums, this must be a very difficult time for you. I’m sure other users will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime, maybe you would 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 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
Best wishes
June, moderator
Dear Maggie
Waiting is just the worst part of this whole thing and there’s nothing I can say that will help or alleviate your fears. My only advice is to breathe, keep as busy as you can and try to rationalise that worrying doesn’t change the outcome. I’m also a teacher and I know how impossible it is to go into a classroom unless your head is completely clear so big sympathy there.
I will keep my fingers crossed for you and hope that the results are good. Take care (and DON’T GOOGLE!!!) Hugs Cress XXX
Hi Maggie, the waiting is always hard as until you are given definite info, your brain goes on overdrive and plays out scenarios (usually bad ones!) which drive you crazy!! Think about it this way, you found a lump, you have done the right thing. Remember, whatever news you get, the medical team are there to make you better, not to make your life a misery!! Your swollen neck (lymph) glands may worry you but they swell up sometimes when you have a cold so it’s not always a sign of something sinister! Be strong, keep a clear head and if it is bad news surround yourself with loving, positive, driven people as I believe that is what helped me through it. I really hope it all goes well for you, I will keep my fingers crossed! Take care x M x
Thanks for the kind comments.
Cress - too late! I spent the weekend Googling 
I keep telling myself that worrying isn’t going to change anything…and sometimes it works.
Oh well, this time tomorrow I’ll know…
Good luck for tomorrow sending you cyber hugs (((((())))))
karen xx
h maggiemay am in same boat as you only was told last fri an hour after mammo scan and fine needle biopsy that it was cancer. Back tomorrow at 3.15 for results of core biopsies grade type and surgery date. good luck for ur results x
Thanks maggie x
You were lucky to get the results so quickly.
Well, I got the results yesterday and the lump in my right breast is cancer, grade 2. They’re planning on doing a wide lateral incision and sentinel node biopsy but I haven’t got a date for surgery yet but was told that they don’t have a spare slot for a couple of weeks.
I didn’t get to see the consultant yesterday but I have an appointment to see her next week.
I was remarkably calm yesterday after getting the results…then it all hit home about 2 am!
In for hysteroscopy this afternoon…hope it’s good news there. It’s my daughter’s birthday today and it hasn’t been a good one for her so far.