Hi
Im 39 and found a lump a couple of weeks ago, saw the gp within a few days and she said it felt about 3/4cm and i was at breast clinic on friday. I had been thinking thr worst anyway with things the doc said when they referred me and then when i was having my ultrasound they said it was very suspicious and i had biopsies and a marker inserted. I have a results appointment on 25th when im expecting them to confirm the diagnosis. I have depression and anxiety anyway and my brain seems to be dwelling on it at night and ive not slept much for days. Can anyone help me with what to expect going forward and a bit of reassurance
3 Likes
Dear Schadwick,
Sorry to read your post how much you’re going through, we are all here for you night or day as the nights always seem to be the worst when our brain does overtime.
When you go back to the hospital for your results, you will have one of the breast cancer nurses with you, there are extremely kind and there to support you, in the meantime, please have a pad and pencil to write down what ever comes into your head how ever small as all your thoughts and questions are so important to you, they may have a plan set-up outlining how your treatment is going to take place.
Will be thinking of you next Tuesday, please come back to the forum to let us know how your getting on.
Wishing you well, with fingers crossed
Hugs Tili 
1 Like
Oh Shadwick I feel for you. I honestly think the waiting from biopsies etc to the actual diagnosis is the worst bit. You are in complete turmoil. If the diagnosis is breast cancer they will quickly put into place your treatment plan and once you have that you can concentrate on the next step. There is a lot of waiting for results or parts of treatment to start but I had tremendous support from my breast care team and they do understand how hard this is for us. Also remember this forum and the nurses here always have your back and don’t hesitate to come here and ask anything however stupid it sound, believe me we’ve all done it, or vent and scream if that’s what you need.
One word of warning though - do not Google. It is so out of date most of it doesn’t apply anymore and you will simply scare yourself. You can find all the up to date answers here or on MacMillan.
Sending big hugs x
1 Like
Hello Shadwick,
You have taken the first step and reached out to many others who have unfortunately found themselves in your situation.This forum is amazing I wish I’d known about it three years ago.
My daughter was 39 when she was diagnosed.As so many of these ladies have said before the early days of constant tests and waiting for results is one of the hardest parts.
I just felt I had to respond to you and to say that whatever the outcome at your appointment we are all here for you.Do let us know how you get on.xx
1 Like
Hi schadwick
You will hear it over and over that the waiting is the worst part and it truly is. Like others have said, if it is diagnosed as cancer then you will have a treatment plan put in place and learn next steps. Even though treatment can seem scary I know it sounds odd but I guarantee you will feel better when you know what is happening, why and when. Keeping a journal helped me process thoughts and feelings and I had a couple of sessions of MacMillan counselling to come to terms with the diagnosis which were great. Top of the list for me, though, is keeping active for both the physical and mental benefits of that. I am certain keeping up with exercise (even though I didn’t feel like it at the time) and getting back on to it as soon as possible after surgery helped me to recover quickly.
Whatever the outcome there is lots of support out there. Good luck with everything. x
1 Like
Hi, my heart goes out to you. As others say, the wait for results is a nightmare.
Take somebody with you also pen and paper. I made the huge mistake of going in myself. They had to repeat themselves to make sure I heard and understood. After diagnosis, things moved very quickly. You can get support from Macmillan or maggies if anxious. You will find this forum supportive too. Good luck and post back how you get on.
1 Like
Thank you for the replies, ive mostly just felt numb since my appointment friday. im the type of person who needs information about anything so ive been struggling to stop myself googling things, as like a few of you have said its never going to be helpful until i know what im dealing with. Ive been trying to keep my brain active so i dont have time to dwell but nights are hard.
1 Like
I am the same! I may be criticised for saying this, but I Googled (and still do!) absolutely everything. I’m careful that information I take on board is from reputable sites/journals but like to know the facts, the good, bad and ugly. Knowledge is power as they say. Much of the information available is worst case scenarios so I also like to read about people’s experiences when they have gone through breast cancer and gone back to a normal (yes, ‘normal’), and sometimes even better, life. It can feel at the beginning of this hateful thing like the end of the world and that your life will never be the same again. I certainly felt that way a few months ago but that has proven to not be the case for me. I recognise my path has been relatively straightforward and some people have a much tougher time but it is possible, and for a very large number of people, to get better and move fowards. Whatever the outcome you will get through this. x
2 Likes
Wishing you all the best for your results appointment.
What to expect at that meeting? The biopsy results will tell them the type and grade of cancer (assuming it is cancer). The grade (1-3) is about how different the cells are to normal cells, with 3 being the most different. So typically a grade 3 cancer will be faster growing. The type information will tell you what receptors, if any, the cells have. Your cancer may be positive or negative to any or all of oestrogen, progesterone and human growth (HER2). You may hear them say ER+, HER2+ or triple negative. They will also have an estimate of the size of the cancer and of whether they suspect there may be cancer in the lymph nodes.
These things together will identify the best course of treatment and the order of it. They may well want to do further tests (such as a CT scan) or genetic tests. They may have requested further analysis of the tumour so it’s possible not all results will be back.
1 Like
Sorry to hear you’re going through this.
I can assure you that this is the worst part waiting. It messes with your head & you can’t concentrate on anything else.
IF you do get a diagnosis you will be told the results of the biospy. It will tell you whether the tumor is hormore positive or negative, Her 2 positive or negative and the size. This will dictate your treatment.
I was hormone positive & Her 2 positive with a 9cm tumor. I did chemotherapy to reduce the size before surgery. I then had radiotherapy & more chemotherapy to make sure it doesnt come back as well as hormone tablets for the next few years.
Some people have surgery straight away then just need radiotherapy. Everyone is different so you cant really secind guess what your treatment plan is going to be until you get tumor results.
If you are told that you have breast cancer they will send you for an MRI to check whether it has spread anywhere else.
My main question on hearing my diagnosis was, is it treatable or curable? And, whats next.
Try to keep busy until the 25th and dont try to guess what treatment may look like.
You will get through this
1 Like
Hi lovely
The waiting and worry is totally understandable and you’re going to have to distract yourself until you know one way or another and as lots of people say until they say and confirm that you have cancer you don’t
But being prepared is a way to help you keep some sort of control so
DO NOT GOOGLE even after any diagnosis
make sure someone drives you or picks you up for the appointment
Better still have someone with you at the meeting
Make sure the chaperone knows you’re worried
Breathe
Take a pen and paper
Ask questions write some down now
Cry if you need to in happiness or in shock
Get the names of breast team and their numbers
If its not cancer then ask what are the next steps
If it is cancer what are the next steps your options, potential side effects and outcomes
Talk to the nurses here or your own team anytime and remember no question or worry is a bad thing
Use this time to do lovely things that bring you joy
If it gets too much seek counselling
I started a diary when i found my lump no one is ever likely to read it but writing all the worries, emotions, fear and happy times helped me hugely and now 18 months later it is still there if i need it
Good luck blessings sent your way along with a big hug x 
1 Like
My Doc suggested this for me not ref my cancer prior to that
Well ive been for the results and as expected it is cancer, think its 2cm tumour, they said its ER+ but still waiting for HER back. Pencilled me in for surgery on 7th August as they’ve been advised i’d be waiting a while to start chemo anyway so to get the surgery done. The slightly enlarged lymph node they biopsied was clear so they dont think its spread to lymph nodes. So all in all its not as bad as it could have been. Don’t think its hit me yet though really
2 Likes
I can only agree with alot that has already been said, the waiting is the worst, but once you have the diagnosis and a treatment plan going forward you will start to feel better mentally that you are dealing with everything.
The only other advice I can give is take one step at a time as treatment can be lengthy and everyone journey can be different with side effects etc. Think positively ask if you need help, and know there are people who know how you feel and will help. I hope this helps you to know I was diagnosed with hormonal breast cancer in April 2023, started chemotherapy in May 2023, finished chemotherapy on 7th Sept, Surgery in November, and then finished radiotherapy in February 2024. I was told all was good after my surgery and further treatment designed to keep it that way. During all of this my elder son was married in September, and I thoroughly enjoyed the day, and I also attended a friends sons wedding in October. Life continues.
I do hope all goes well for you and send love and hugs.
Debbie
Aww, so sorry to hear that. At least your surgery is very soon and not long to wait. Will think about you on the 7th. Good luck and best wishes xx
sorry you’ve received diagnosis it’s positive you’ll be in a whirlwind of appointments now it’s a lot to take in and you’ll feel like your on a conveyor belt in a parallel universe for operation, get some button front short sleeve pyjamas, slides and dressing gown, lip balm, hand cream, anosol, senokot and some antiseptic wipes. I’ll explain more about some of those when and if you want to know about them before 7th. Bcn’s got you as much or as little as you need us we’re all here 
Shi xx
Information is how i process things so any info of what to expect and what i need for the surgery is helpful for me
1 Like
I’m so sorry you’ve received this diagnosis but good that things seem to be in motion quickly.
I can only comment from the perspective of having a lumpectomy and SLNB, but for me the surgery wasn’t bad at all. Take plenty to do as it can be a long day with lots of waiting around depending on when you are scheduled. If you are later in the day go outside for a walk (a simple thing which I hadn’t thought of at the time and ended up with a headache from being sat under hospital lighting all day). I was straight from clothes into gown and back into clothes so didn’t put pyjamas on. Take a toothbrush and some baby wipes to freshen up for getting home. Take it easy for a day or two, you will be tired, but then try and get out even if just for a short walk daily but don’t think you are invincible and overdo things (trust me!). Do the exercises - no excuses! Before surgery the nuclear injection sounds way worse than reality, done very quickly and painless. Same Magseed placement if you have that. A snug proper sports bra is good for compression to ease swelling (the supermarket/cheap internet front fastening ones don’t really offer much support and I thought are a bit useless other than for sleeping in). Primark do some great step in crop tops (£8 each, seamless) which have slight padding and feel supportive and comforting, still wear those now and they have different style briefs that go with them (my view is just because we are having surgery doesn’t mean we can’t still have nice matching underwear). Go a size bigger.
You said you like information, so I hope some of that is helpful. Please shout if you have any questions. x
2 Likes
The anosol and senokot are for after surgery the meds can block you up and this will help. The sntibac swab is to sniff after surgery if you feel sick, it can help stop you being sick this can be caused from the anaesthetic. The nurse that cared for me after my op did it when I said I felt sick they got one of those and said sniff this and it stopped me feeling sick 
the hand cream and lip balm are becoyour hands and lips get dry in hospital post op M&S do good front zip bras for post op go up a size you could be a little swollen from op get some dry shampoo ready too just to spruce hair up till you can shower post op. Baby wipes are good to freshen up with post op till you can shower. If you are on any supplements or herb stuff speak to your surgeon you probably need to stop these before operation, mine advised me to stop certain things. Step by step you’ll get through everyone here will help with tips and tricks that we’ve had passed to us and learnt and shared along the way Shi xx
1 Like
Thanks for the info, i think a bra is going to be my problem as i have big breasts anyway so supermarket/primark isnt going to be any good for me. Im a 44GG
1 Like