Hi everyone, this is my first post here but have been lurking for about a week. Must say its a fantastic site and you ladies are lovely!
So quite some time ago (at least 6 months) I thought that my right breast felt different to the left (in the area between armpit and start of breast if that makes sense) For a long time I thought I was imagining it, then put it down to hormones and because it wasn’t a definite lump, I kept pushing it to the back of my mind. But lately it’s become quite tender so I asked my hubby if he could feel something, which he could so thought it was about time I got it checked. Made the appointment on the 20th of December but couldn’t get seen until the 4th Jan. Finally saw the GP last Thursday and she said she could feel “a thickening” and had referred me for mammogram, uss. I have the appointment on Thursday. So as you can imagine, alarm bells are ringing and I’m feeling so stupid for not getting checked out sooner. I literally cannot stop thinking about it, can’t sleep properly and have lost 5lbs in 4 days. The nipple on the same boob had become quite itchy too but not all the time. As soon as the appointment came through on Friday, my husband booked next Thursday off so he can come with me but today he found out that his holiday has been declined as there are already too many staff off…
It doesn’t help that my friend passed away from breast cancer on the 23rd December bless her, she fought a long hard battle, having had it once before. Its her funeral on the 18th January. I work in a GP surgery and we also have a patient with bc that has just been told she’s got 6-12 months… Obviously I know that in most cases, women go on to make full recoveries but even so, it’s still a very scary thought to think there’s a chance I could be joining the bc club…
Sorry for waffling and the long post. Just terrified of what might happen… Did any of you go to the appointment alone? I’ve told my husband I’ll be fine, it’s just of they take a biopsy I’ll be even more worried then (if that’s possible!)
Hi Louise, firstly don’t beat yourself up about the time scale, your getting checked out now so that’s what matters! Secondly I wouldn’t advise going alone, if your hubby can’t get the time off then could you ask a relative or close friend to go, Has he told them what he wants the time off for ?
They are lovely at the clinics but it’s quite daunting and if they can’t rule out cancer they will most likely do a biopsy , I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to go alone.
One of my dear friends died from ovarian cancer a month before my diagnosis , she had previously had breast cancer and I also lost my mum to breast cancer 15 Years ago so my mind was spinning but as you rightly said the majority of us will go on to be just fine! I’m almost 3 years post diagnosis now and going strong ?
Its natural to be stressed and anxious, lack of sleep and loss of appetite are classic, best weight loss plan I’d ever been on! Just try and keep yourself busy and your mind as occupied as much as you can until your appointment, I actually felt quite calm on the day.
Let us know how you get on and there will be plenty for support here if you need it Xx Jo
Thank you so much for replying Jo and brilliant to hear you’ve overcome bc and still going strong!
No, my husband didn’t mention why he wants the day off but he said he’s going to try and have a word with his manager tomorrow to explain so you never know they might be able to arrange something. My mums offered to come (I ended up telling her today as she wanted us to go out on Thursday and I’m a rubbish liar!) but I think id rather go on my own as I’ll be worried about her, worrying about me… Thank you for the advice Jo. Nice to know what I’m feeling is normal. I wonder why the human mind is inclined to think the worst in these type of situations… I’ll let you know how I get on.
I agree with Jobey, I wouldn’t advise going to the breast clinic appointment on your own if there is someone who can go with you. Not because it is frightening or anything but because it is a support for you and another pair of ears to take things in. Hopefully your husband’s manager will agree to the holiday request if he knows why your husband needs it. I know it is a stupid thing to say but try not to worry about the clinic visit. They were brilliant when I went, they know it is a really stressful time and try to do all they can to make it as easy as they can. Don’t know if the one you are going to is a one stop shop type where they do all of he tests while you are there? If they do a biopsy it doesn’t necessarily mean they definitely think it is something suspicious, they are checking it out to make sure. One thing I wasn’t prepared for when I went was they can’t give you the results of the biopsys at the clinic visit, you normally have to wait for a couple of weeks. I thought one stop meant you found out there and then all the results!
Good luck for Thursday, there is loads of support here, this forum has been a real support to me since I was diagnosed in November X
Omg have just been to the doctor today re same concerns as you, same symptoms and everything. I m waiting for an appointment with the breast team and am absolutely beside myself. I can t stop crying and am desperately trying to hide it from my beautiful daughters but it is so hard. Good luck with your appt I hope you ll be ok xx
Thank you so much crocrazy. I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis…I hope treatment is going well and you’re out the other side soon! My husband rand me earlier; he explained to his manager and she’s swapped his shift so he can come with me now which I’m really relieved about! And yes, it is a one stop clinic so hopefully will hear good news and that will be the end of it. I dread to think how I will cope waiting for results if biopsies are taken… I’ll report back with how I get on anyway and thank you again for taking time to reply when you have your own struggles.
Sorry to hear you’re in the same boat bjonline. It really is nerve wracking isn’t it. Did your GP give any indication of what they thought it might be? I hope you get your appointment through soon. Mine came the following day after seeing GP! If you’ve not heard anything after a few days, give the breast clinic a call. Let’s hope we both get good news…
Aw good luck with the radiotherapy crocrazy! Roll on the 26th! The world of bc is a mine field isn’t it?! I never even knew there are different types of bc! It’s amazing what you learn from google…:-/ I’ve noticed that one of the symptoms of lobular cancer is breast thickening and doesn’t always clearly show up on mammograms and ultra sound scans… I’ll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings and then hopefully my stomach will stop doing somersaults…
Strudel, thank you for the warning! I’m even more pleased my husband can come now. Keep telling myself the chances are, everything will be fine but I can’t but think what if… I’m sorry it wasn’t good news for you. I can’t imagine how you must have felt walking out of that clinic…
Yes, I was the same. Never considered there were different sorts of bc. It is like a whole new world you don’t want to be part of but find yourself in. The waiting is the hardest part. I know once I knew what the plan was it got a bit easier to manage. Very best of luck for tomorrow x
Thankfully it was good news today!! Just normal breast tissue that has become thicker on one side… I feel like such a fool for worrying so much. I should never have googled lol! One poor woman there though dos receive bad news; she was crying and shaking like a leaf. She was with her daughter and the nurses made her an appointment to go back… I feel incredibly lucky today and am thanking my lucky stars!
Thank you for you support ladies. You’re all so brave and I wish you every success in your journeys! xx
Aw thank you ladies, I really appreciate the support you have given. This scare has taught me to be extra vigilant from now on, and not to take my health for granted!
Brilliant news lousie! just the kind we like to hear, thank you for coming back and letting us know , it’s so important for others coming though the forum that no matter what your worries are it’s not alway bad news! Now go and have a happy life and try and put the past week of stressing behind you!, xx Jo
