I’ve been reading these boards for a few days and have attempted to register a few times too! Keep backing out but now I’m here so I guess that’s a step forward.
I have finally bitten the bullet and made an appt with my gp, going on Tuesday morning. I’ve had a tiny lump for a number of months now, only in the last few months it’s got bigger. It’s hard, doesn’t hurt and doesn’t move. On the same breast I have a skin tag type growth on my nipple which has also grown over the same period, and now it’s painful.
I know it’s the right thing to take the first step, and I know how likely it is to not be bc, but something is telling me that it is, and I’ve left it too long. I’ve read all the websites I can find to get myself informed about what is likely to happen next, but I have to say that I am terrified about what the next few weeks may bring. At 36, I don’t feel grown up enough to have to face my future just yet. How on earth do you get through it?
Hi noodles - and well done for taking that first step. How on earth do we get through it? ONE STEP AT A TIME Many of us here will tell you that this period of waiting and uncertainty is awful - you feel so utterly helpless. But most of us are here because we are going through it or have got through it and are coping day by day. I know we are all different but maybe it helps to tell you I am here 17 years on. Stay with us and keep talking to us and I am sure I speak for all when I say let’s hope it is a short stay and you will be one of the many whose worst fears are not realised.
Hi noodles…
you are doing the right thing going to the docs… I know how hard it is to take that first step… You are feeling all the right things scared anxious etc… but if it is the worst case you do find strenght to get through it i don’t know how you just do…I am only 23 yrs old and i am having a bilateral mastectomy I have my last visit to my plastic surgeon on th 26th of this month then it will be my op… well let me know how things go i wish you all the luck in the world…
take care
Michelle
.x.x.x.x.x.x
It’s funny, but it feels so much better to have just got it down. I didn’t want to tell anyone until after my gp visit but got a bit upset on Friday and told my partner. He’s been great, although upset and worried too. I guess I’ll know soon enough what the next step will be, and I’ll let you know.
Hi Noodles
You are definately doing the right thing by getting yourself checked out. I have a family history of BC. Both my Nan and Mun died of it. I found a lump in January this year. Convinced myself I was being paranoid and buried my head in the sand. I have annual screening due to the history and had my first mammogram aged 35 this March. My lump was malignant. I am so angry with myself for not going to my GP as soon as I felt my lump. Partly because, my chemo would now be over and also for my ignorance.
I truly hope that yours is a false alarm. But in the worse case scenario, I believe that we all have a coping mechanism that kicks in and remember that we are all here to help with every step of the journey.
All the best noodles, let us know how you get on.
Hi Noodles.You have done the right thing,to get checked out.I’m new on here too.I found a lump last Sunday,went to the doctors on Monday,and have an appointment on Tuesday 23rd October.Like you,I am worried to death,this is the worst time not knowing.I had a cyst when I was 19 and had that removed,but I always have lumpy breasts and it is hard knowing what is normal and what isn’t.I have been on HRT since March,and am worried about the high risks of breast cancer related to HRT.This is a great place,with loads of support from other ladies.Hope all goes ok.
Echo’ing all the sentiments above, you are doing the right thing.
I found my lump in the December yet ‘as I knew best’ (being a nurse…) I failed to see my GP until the following May, by then my pea sized lump was over 3cms and very palpable and noticeable under the skin!! By the time I was eventually diagnosed (3 months after seeing my GP) my lump had been there for over 8 months - so I was foolish rather than ‘knowing best’.
Thanks for the support ladies. Today is d day. My gp appt is in a couple of hours, I’ve dreamt about it all night and woken up practically every hour. Whilst I am so very nervous I know that the worst possible thing is not to know what is going on, so even worst case scenario from the doc is better than that as it’s positive action no matter what. I’ve got toothache this morning to take my mind off it a bit, but that’s cause I’ve slept with my jaw clamped shut!
I saw my gp today who agrees there is a lump and faxed a referral straight off to the breast clinic whilst assuring me that everything was good really - it doesn’t hurt, that’s a good sign, it’s deep, that’s a good sign. I know she meant well but it was not in the least bit convincing really, doesn’t add up to what I’ve read. Got a phone call about 20 minutes later with the first available appt - Wed next week, so that’ll just be 8 sleeps that get interrupted before I go.
I should get stuff in the post in a couple of days about the appt - but I guess they’ll do a mammogram and/or ultrasound first off and decide from that whether they need to do the fna or anything else? Has that been your experience? And if you don’t mind me asking, did you get results on the same day? I’ve looked up my local hospital, it says the breast clinic is a “one stop centre” - I’m guessing that means they do everything and give you the results. Wondering how long I’ll have to wait.
HI Noodles.My appointment is day before you,23rd October.I was told I will get my results that afternoon.Seems everywhere is different.Sleeping is difficult,am having same problem.
I’m like you, I found my lump on October 1st, saw my GP on the 4th and my appointment is on Firday am, I wanted to got my local hospital which is 5 minutes up the road but having to go to one miles away. Tried to get in for the local one but it would have been another 2 weeks. What’s bothering me is mine hurts like hell and is very tender but I’d convinced myself because it hurts it will be ok! Ihave to allow up to 3 hours for my appointment, and there is a consultation, a mammogram and /or ultrasound and thena fine needle biopsy if they think I need one which the results will be back in half an hour then if needed another biopsy which results take a week. Good Luck next week, hope its good news for you.
I’m Heidi, seem to have been a member here for ever! lol
I think it depends on where you live as to how they treat you. I live in West Yorkshire. I had an ultrasound (being 26, a mammogram wouldn’t be very conclusive) I got the results of the scan straight away. If they decide to do a core biopsy or a FNA, its unlikely you will get the results straight away. Of the 2 core biopsies I have had, I have had to wait 2 weeks for the results. Thankfully both came back benign.
I am awaiting a lumpectomy on both breasts now. Was due to go in next Monday, but been put back a week (long story). I have a lump in my other breast which they are not sure about, and cant biospy as its too close to the wall of my chest, they cant feel it, but they can see it on the scan. The decision was taken to remove it and send it off for analysis that way.
The waiting is really horrible, its not easy not knowing what wrong or not wrong with you. I guess when you have a definate diagnosis you can take a deep breath and take the bull by the horns and get on with what ever it is you need to do. I’m sure that is no mean feat either by any stretch. But not knowing what lies ahead is really difficult. Everyone on here is really supportive of each other and if you need a rant/cry/laugh or whatever, we will happily oblige!
I’m in West Yorkshire too, have you been to Clayton hospital? If you have what’s it like ? I live 5 mins away from Dewsbury hospital and thats where my mum in law goes but like I said above would have had to wait 2 more weeks. I’m 35 and hoping they don’t fob me off with the you’re too young rubbish, theres a lump and a painful one at that!
Hope everything goes ok for you for your lumpectomys. (and for allof you who are waiting for treatment or diagnosis)
You definitely did the right thing in going to your GP just as all the other ladies have said. I am new on here too and wish I had used this forum when I was at the stage you are at now. I have just finished chemo and had the op - radio therapy to go.
I found my lump on the friday evening - was with my GP at 0930 on the Monday morning and was seeing my fantastic breast surgeon on the weds afternoon. They did a couple of mammograms, ultra-sound and a core biopsy. I am a private patient so really not sure if that matters, but I got my results that day. I thought i had a cyst but no - early stage breast cancer. I just wanted you to know that it is possible to get results same day but guess it may differ depending on where you go
I wish you all the luck in the world and am praying you will be well!!! Keep us updated on your progress
Thank you to everyone for your replies. I received my info from the hospital when I got home this evening. The order of play is firstly to see a breast specialist who may do the fna. Mammogram is next and possibly an ultrasound. We then have to wait to see the specialist again for results. The letter says a visit could take up to 5 hours and everything is provided on the day.
I’m really busy at work at the moment which is helping keep my mind off it. It’s just hard when you get home and sleeping is difficult. I’m so tired, but when I fall asleep I’m having horrible dreams and then wake up. Falling asleep is fine, it’s staying asleep I’m having trouble with. I guess I have to look at it as only a week, and I’ll know where I’m at.
Many of us here will tell you that this period of waiting and uncertainty is awful - you feel so utterly helpless. But most of us are here because we are going through it or have got through it and are coping day by day. I know we are all different but maybe it helps to tell you I am here 17 years on. Stay with us and keep talking to us and I am sure I speak for all when I say let’s hope it is a short stay and you will be one of the many whose worst fears are not realised.