My emotions are all over the place

Have I got breast cancer? Appointments and waiting for test results
#1

I went to my GP yesterday, who found a 4cm lump that was in my breast and going into my lymph nodes. I am having a lot of pain in my arm pit.

I have an appointment with the breast clinic on the 10th of December, which I know is good but my emotions are all over the place.

I am trying to be positive but deep down I feel the worst.

#2

Hi

I’m so sorry you’ve found yourself here. This is always a horrendous time for the emotions. There are so many possibilities for the future but our instincts invariably go for the worst case scenario. 

Fact: most breast lumps referred to clinics turn out to be benign

Fact: As Shi, one of the community champions, always states, you do not have breast cancer until your consultant tells you. 

Fact: pain isn’t a symptom usually associated with breast cancer

But, unpleasant fact: it’s always a possibility. However, it’s not usually ‘the worst.’ It’s an illness with unpleasant treatments but good outcomes for most patients. It’s not the hopeless diagnosis of previous centuries.

You have a relatively long wait (in normal circumstances, there’s a 2-week NHS promise), so my advice would be to focus on your emotional health. Do whatever distracts you and relaxes you, running, baking, yoga, mindfulness…I found lots of videos on YouTube. Progressive Hypnosis’s Manifest Healing saw me through the whole thing. It will give you some respite and keep you more relaxed. And remember Shi’s advice.

I hope you get a good response on the 10th. All the best xx

#3

Jaybro has given you amazing advice. I know how incredibly hard the wait is until the appointment. I’m currently going through the same myself and have waited almost 9 weeks from finding the indentation that led to the appointment to having the appointment tomorrow. It is a scary time, it’s so very hard not knowing what is happening within your body. I hope in wait that you have that you find something to distract yourself however, I know that’s easier said than done. Definitely use whatever hobby you have to help, I wish I had bought more books in the time I’ve been waiting. As Jaybro has said something that has really resonated with me is Shi’s advice that you do not have cancer until someone says you do I’ve reminded myself of this whenever the fear starts. I wish you the best of luck at your appointment x