well where do I start. I found a lump on my left breast about 6 weeks ago while in the shower. As I was close to my period I thought I would wait and see. Period comes and goes and lump bigger so I have seen the GP last wednesday and waiting for the appointment for the hospital. Keep waiting for the postie to arrive - its driving me mad!!!
What should I expect - seen within 2 weeks or its the appointment letter within 2 weeks?
I didn’t ask as I walked out of the doctors like a Zombie!!!
Something else which might not be related to this but for the past 3 months my bust have hurt so much, gone up a cup size or two and ache all the time, I now have my left arm and shoulder that aches like I have slept funny - if you know what I mean - could this be related??
thanks for any info.
I am going to be seen at Stepping Hill hospital - anyone any experience with this hospital?
Please do call the helpline if you feel it would help to talk things through with someone in confidence, the line is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm on 0808 800 6000.
Very sorry that you are in this situation.if the doctor has said two weeks you will be seen in two weeks not letter in two weeks. good luck with it all hope it all goes well.
I work for a GP. If you are an urgent you will be on a two week appointment…non-urgent could be a couple of months.
You may go to a one-stop clininc and get your diagnosis on the day. In my area that is sometimes the case, others wait for path results etc which could mean a couple of weeks wait.
If you are not happy with your treatment contact your surgery and ask what type of referral you have been given. Most receptionists would be sympathetic and ask the doctor to hurry things up if you are noticing changes in your breast.
Sorry to hear your not well, my mum’s appt came through within 2 weeks.
Luckly they allow you to choose and book the hospital you want to see. So mum wanted to go abit further and we were able to get seen earlier by about 10days.
Mum had 3 appts with the hospital within a space of 10days. So its quite quick.
Really sorry you’re in this position but we’ve all been there and can sympathise. The waiting is absolutely the worst part and you do seem to spend a lot of time waiting.
As the others have said your appointment should be within 2 weeks.I am under North Mcr and Christies but a friend of mine is under Stepping Hill/Christies and has just had her reconstruction last week. When you go for your first appointment they will give you a mammo, ultrasound, chest x ray and a biopsy too. Then you will wait (again) for about a week for the results. Waiting for the results is the worst.
I was diagnosed in May, surgery June and started chemo July. Now I have completed 5 out of 8 chemos and it really isn’t as bad as your imagination would have you believe.
Hi there,
sorry you have joined us and I hope you get all the support you (and your mum) need.
I’m sure it differs around the country but I was told I would receive a letter within 2 weeks and it would give me an apointment within another 2 weeks. So all told I waited a month between seeing the doc and going to the breast care ward.
Given that it my case I had a DX of breast cancer (though most don’t…so don’t worry overmuch) I was pretty miffed at having to wait so long.
So…if you and your Mum are stressed about the wait…maybe ring your doc, say it has got larger and push for an earlier appoinment?
Best of luck to you both
Gillian
Thanks all, this site is keeping me sane at the moment. I have also just started my open uni course - finally trying to finish my degree and this happens!!! its sods law I think.
My best friend is a nurse at our hospital and I have asked her for the number as don’t even know the ward/clinic I would be going to - I know I could find it but feeling a little strange at the mo.
I have only told a few close people as don’t need this kind of attention and if it comes to nothing I will of worried them for nothing. The only thing (other than the worry) is everyone is saying as I am only 29 it can’t be cancer. But from looking on here thats not the case. thanks again all and will let you know. I am going to chase up the appointment on monday if its not here by then.
Thanks
Vicky.
My advise would be when you do get your appnt, take someone with you. Hopefully you will get the triple test, mamo, ultrasound and core biopsy. Where I live the core biopsy is usually done the next day rather than the same day but I’m sure that varies case upon case.
The mamo may not show much up, it all depends on your size and age. Eg, I’m 27 and not what you would call Jordanesque unfortunatley!! At a petite 30C it does mean that my tissue is still very firm despite child birth! Because of this, the mamo was pretty much useless. Ultrasound is preffered in these instances and is much more comfortable. Normally lumps are seen and can be measured, and generally a dx can be made from the appearance of the lump. Any doubt and that is when the core biopsy comes in, though some do it as a matter of course.
This is more uncomfortable rather than painful. They give you a local anaestetic in the breast, then insert a needle into the lump, or area of breast that requires teasting, take some tissue and 2 weeks later (where I live) you have the results. That 2 week wait is by far the worst thing of all, as I’m sure everyone here will agree. Its the not knowing.
I’ve been through this 3 times already, and thankfully all came back negative. Fibroadenoma, beningn tumours. Now on lump number 4 and have my appnt on the 14th Oct. You automatically fear the worst, this time I am having to make myself doubt that everything is ok. I have become a little complacent I think. I need to mentally arm myself because my attitude has potential to destroy me if the worst does happen. I think its healthy to be worried to a point, as if you were told its ok, the relief is immense. Now I’m rambling, sorry!!
You shouldn’t be waiting too long for your appnt. If nothing come in tomorrows post, I would be inclined the call the hospital and see if they have anything down for you yet!
Good luck, hope your dx is the same as its been for me so far!
it really helps when others have been through it!!! I am also nothing like Jordan and wonder if there is enough to get scanned!!! HAHAHA!!! on the serious side its driving me mad. I have got the phone number and will call tomorrow. My hubby is hoping to come but does have a business trip on Thursday and needs to know ASAP- they might re-arrange it for me - he works on NHS computer systems so a whole hospital system will be waiting for my appointment!!
thanks again - will keep you posted and hope your results are like all your others. - can I ask (if you don’t mind) do they know why you keep getting lumps??
I’ve had no explanation, and I dont really think there is one. Like most things with us women… blame the hormones. Its just one of those things, if you get them, you are likely to keep getting them?? Why that is I just dont know!
Its terrifying going through it all, and even now I’m starting to worry, more so now that I have just been made redundant this morning! Me and 5 colleagues from my centre have gone. Not good, now I have nothing to occupy my mind.
Any news with your appnt?? Really hope you are not waiting too long.
Oh Heidi, sorry about your job!!! Hope you are able to find something to replace it.
I got through to the hospital this morning - they had no info on me so got on to GP and by lunch time they received the referral. I got a call this afternoon and my appointment is now on friday morning!!! Hooray (sound mad saying that but my anxiety is getting to me!!). So roll on Friday - feel like saying bring it on - need to get this done and step closer to either treatment or just a removal (if not the big C). Under my left arm is really hurting today - even feels swollen -Am I getting over sensitive to this???
Good luck for your appointment - finger crossed for us both!!!
Hi snottraggs
I get sore under arms and sometimes little lumps come and go but they aren’t anything serious, although obviously mention it to doctor or consultant.
As for the waiting, I waited the alloted 10 weeks for a non urgent referral although I didn’t know I wasn’t urgent! That was for a short appointment with the consultant, then I had a cancellation for a mammo and scan a couple of weeks later ( I’m not that big up top either mammo was just uncomfortable for about 10 seconds ) and today I’ve recieved an appointment to go see the consultant again in two weeks time. I’m taking the wait as good news although it can drive you insane at times!!! Anyhow good luck with your appointment and fingers crossed it will be good news.
I too get pain just under the arm and a really painful little lump, I was told its just glands, and at certain times of the month they swell, but I would still mention just as Kez has said.
Good luck for Friday, everything is crossed for you.
Thanks Walton!!! - my user name was actually my nick name at school as I alway had a cold and therefore had a tissue and one of the boys called it a snottragg - so from that date thats what I was called - didn’t like it at school but now its a bit of fun!!!
I went to the hospital this morning and have learnt that…I have a lump!!! I already knew this!!! But they couldn’t tell what it is?? - anyone else had this? - I really expect to walk out of there knowing but no. I have to go back on monday for a core biopsy and then the weeks wait for the results. My head was fit to burst on the way home and still can’t shake the headache!!! I thought they would know from the scan. All I have read is they get a good picture from the scan but even the scanner said they couldn’t tell!!! It did look big on the screen but didn’t get an excellent view.
anyway - more waiting. thanks for all your support. Fingers are still crossed that this is nothing. But surgery is def on - it has to be removed - I didn’t get the option from the consultant he said he is removing it - is this a good sign or not??
thanks again - not really going to enjoy the wedding tomorrow. glad its not mine!!!
Again I am here - The consultant - before the scan put FA? next to picture of my breast - does anyone know what this means??
after the scan he wanted to examine me again - is this normal - I know I am grasping at straws here but after no news and another wait I am worried why he had no idea what it is!!!
I’m not sure what FA is, if it was FNA, that means fine needle aspiration. If its a cyst they can drain it by inserting a needle, but if its solid (which it sounds like it is) then the core biopsy is what is recommended. Be safe in the knowledge that your consultant is acting quite responsibly by doing this and telling you he is removing it. Its not normal for everybody to have this treatment, its a bit of a postcode lottery. I think he’s probably keeping quiet til he knows what it is for sure himself. Doesn’t want to say its nothing, then it is, or on the other hand, tell you to worry when you might have no need.
I’m sorry you dont have the answers you wanted. Good luck with the biopsy.