Hi all
I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago yesterday. Had an MRI today and back next Thursday for more ultrasound and biopsies. So this means another wait for results Before I find anything else out? Plus we have Easter and I’m getting very concerned that I’ve almost been forgotten! My BCN was on holiday for the last 2 weeks and I’ve not heard anything. I’ll call her tomorrow but just curious as to others experiences? Thanks Sarah
Hi Sarah , it can certainly feel like it’s endless when you are first diagnosed and I’m afraid to say that a good BCN is like rocking horse poo! Mine was ok when I saw her but I didn’t have the need to call her so I can’t really comment on her use afterwards! Don’t be put off getting answers though, keep badgering the hospital as you are entitled to know exactly what is going to happen and when , I’m sure if the " professionals" had to go through what we do then the way things are done who dramatically change! Xx Jo
Thanks Jo. I am starting to panic a little now! Will definitely call tomorrow. Just wondering if there is a guide/timeline they need to act by? (Not sure that makes sense!) x
Hi Sarah - after my MRI they rang me a week later and said i had to go in for ultrasound as it had showed further suspicious areas (extra to the original lump). I went a couple of days later and she scanned my breast with the USS and said I had quite a few small areas that she would need to biopsy. I questioned her (radiologist) about what she thought they were (i.e. cancer or benign) - she said 100% malignant as exactly the same as main lump - I then queried why biopsy and she said they had to “prove” they were malignant. I dug my heels in and asked to speak to the surgeon because I didn’t want to wait another 2 weeks for the results to come back malignant when we all knew they would! The surgeon agreed to do a mastectomy 2 days later (which was my original surgery date for lumpectomy before other areas were found). The pathology came back all malignant so I am so glad I stood my ground.
Thanks Alex. This is my concern - more biopsies next week and then more waiting. Part of me just wants them to take both breasts anyway(not meaning to sound flippant as I realise this is a huge thing). My worry is more that is spread elsewhere but nowhere is tested or imaged? Will pursue them I think xx
Hi Nixons,
These early days of diagnosis are the pits, inevitably, everything seems to take an age & time takes on a different meaning.
It sounds like you have the necessary appointments in place to get the diagnosis finally completed, so it will progress, although it does not help the anxiety.
When at this stage, my investigations were on a similar timescale.
As you say, hopefully your BCN will be able reassure you.
ann x
The waiting is horrible, and I empathise as mine was diagnosed before xmas and had to wait until the new year when clinics were back up and running, felt like forever! Everyone is different with how they feel about surgery - I was like you, take it off, whereas some women would prefer to try and save their breast if they can. My surgeon said to me “how would you feel if I did a mastectomy and the other areas came back benign and you could have just had a lumpectomy?” - I said well I would just look at it as a bonus but we both know they aren’t benign! He said that’s all he needed to know - informed choice, my choice, my body. I’m now cancer free after all removed and nodes clear and I am determined to stay that way!
So in answer to your question title, USS and biopsy 22nd Nov (told it was cancer then), 10th Jan biopsy results confirmed cancer, MRI 22nd Jan, further USS 30th Jan, mastectomy 1st Feb… so 10 weeks??? ish???
Sorry 22nd Nov was my mammogram - my USS and biopsy was 15th December… so 15th Dec to 1st Feb knowing I had cancer x
So 6 weeks from diagnosis to surgery (god i’m rambling)
Hi I was diagnosed 13th Feb after being referred to breast clinic with a lump, had mammogram and biopsy. Also had Mri at later date to check size of lump and check if left boob was clear (it was). Then had to go back to see Consultant for Mri results and agree surgery on 6th March. Got cancellation at 2 days notice and had mx 17th March. The 31 days guideline for treatment starts from when you agree type of surgery and not from the date diagnosed.
Hugs to everyone waiting, it is a very stressful time.
Hi nixons I was diagnosed exactly 2 weeks ago and seems like the longest most surreal 2 weeks ever. I’m scheduled for mri next week await results of that and then scheduled for op 17th of April. This could not doubt change though. But it’s all pretty quick for me. I was only given my op date yesterday by my bcn when I called her with a different issue… do you not have someone else who picks up queries to your bcn when she’s away? Ive spoken to a couple of different ones at my clinic if she’s not available x
I was diagnosed on 11th March 2015 and had my op on 27th March, I was told the guidelines were 3 weeks from diagnosis , mine was all pretty straight forward so didn’t ask anything more but I was really surprised at the speed of things Xx
Hi, I’m only 6 days after diagnosis. I go back a week today but struggling with the wait. I am worried that the biopsy results will only confirm what I’ve already been told and that they’ll then say more tests, more waiting. I need an answer. Would a BCN be able to tell me what will happen at the next appointment? Thanks for asking this question Nixons3.
Hi Nixons3, I’ve only been told it’s for the results of the biopsy but there were a number of areas and two were taken. They did say there was a chance it might come back negative so further biopsies may be taken. It all seems a bit pointless if they are so sure it’s cancer just by looking at it!
I’m the same nixon feels like it’s been going on months probably all the stress of waiting and worrying! I’m even more terrified of the op now after watching emmerdale x
Karen they might just want to give u a kind of treatment plan and tell you what sort of cancer it is and if it’s hormonal or not. That’s what they told me anyway a week after diagnosis but are doing further tests just to make sure I guess x
I do really sympathise as much as all the waiting has been hard I found that first week terrifying think I didn’t stop crying. And was shaking and felt sick when the actual day came. Xx
Hi Sarah - my surgeon didn’t need a lot of persuasion (think the radiologist had already given him the heads up of her professional opinion) and he just wanted to make sure I was confident with my decision and understood what I was choosing - had to then have the discussion about reconstruction but that was quite quick cos I knew what I wanted x
Can they tell from the biopsy what type it is? Sorry if thats a dumb question I know nothing about any of it. My main symptom for getting checked in the first place was changes to the nipple but they didn’t take any biopsy from there.