Hi everyone. I’m new here having just been told yesterday that I probably have BC. I was called for a mammo as part of the pilot into screening women 47-49 on Dec 16th then got a letter Xmas Eve saying I needed further tests. Wasn’t worried about it too much as had a lumpectomy for mastitis 25 years ago in my right so thought they had just caught up on the scar tissue or something. I thought I’d felt a small lump in the summer in my left , but then on subsequent checks couldn’t find it again so thought that was just hormonal as although I hadn’t had a period for nearly a year, I had a bit of spotting after other surgery around then.
I should have searched a bit harder as it turns out the small lump is now a bit bigger and the radiologist says it looks malignant on the mammo so did a tissue biopsy while I was there yesterday. He said I may get away with just a lumpectomy but would probably have radiotherapy. So sounds like its definitely cancer… or can I dare to hope that its not?
I had to leave the hospital without seeing the breast care nurse and she has finally just phoned 24 hours later. I have to wait until Monday week for the results and to see the surgeon.
This is going to be one of the longest weeks of my life. I just want it out and dealt with. Minutes seem like hours and hours like weeks.
Hi Pottyone, so sorry that you may have to join this club. As you will know by now, the waiting is horrible. And as much as you wont be able to believe it at the moment, as soon as you know your results and treatment plan, it gets easier (in a rollercoaster, cant get off, kind of way)
The only advice I can give, is the same as the ladies gave me; try not to ‘google’, keep as busy as possible.
Use this forum to ask as many questions as you have, vent, moan, complain…
Dont be despondent if you dont get many reply’s, most of us are offline because of the holidays.
Best wishes
Marguerite
Hi Pottyone.
Wish I didn’t have to say welcome, but welcome anyway. I’m only a little way further along than you, so I can completely relate to the anxiety of the waiting, having received my diagnosis on 8th Dec and lumpectomy booked for 10th Jan, same day as you get your results.
Have to go out very shortly but just wanted to wish you well. If you want to have a look at information, check out the Publications section on this site, but do take care not to go googling too extensively as you could well come across some out-of-date, sensationalist or just plain WRONG information.
Unfortunately there’s not a lot you can do right now, and I’m not going to tell you not to get worked up because you’re a human being and that’s what human beings do. But I was told that a week or two at this stage wouldn’t make a difference, so feel a little calmer that this week’s delay, while horrible, isn’t going to make a difference to the results or what they eventually decide to do. You will feel a lot better once you get your results as then you’ll have a clearer idea of what you’re dealing with and what they are likely to need to do. From what I have read, it is fairly standard after a lumpectomy to have radiotherapy, as the likelihood of recurrence with radio is then reduced to as good as you get with a full mastectomy. So radiotherapy is a GOOD thing. Depending on what else they find out about your lump they may need to do other things, such as hormone therapy or chemotherapy, but you won’t know until they’ve done their tests.
Anyway, feel free to let off steam on here (it’s a godsend, and that’s from an atheist!) as everyone on here knows what torture the waiting is.
Big hugs and everything crossed for you,
CM
ps Forgot to say THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTIONS. So ask anything you want to know.
Hi there
I’m new too (just joined forum), but things have moved along fast with me. I was diagnosed with ductal breast cancer on 22nd December and booked in for a mastectomy (as I just wanted rid of it - know how you feel) on 29th December through my husband’s work’s private health insurance. Have now had the op and am at home, though with a drain in my wound, and slowly recovering. Waiting for the result to my sentinel node biopsy so see if it has spread to my lymph nodes and feeling quite sore in my arms (so fairly convinced that it has). Seems like we are always waiting for the results to more tests. Hope you can find something nice to do while you are waiting. Take care.
Thank you.
I sort of know a bit about what I’m in for as I used to work in the NHS. I also lost my husband to oesophageal cancer 6 years ago and have coped with a teenage daughter with mental illness. So I’ve ridden the roller coaster a couple of times before, but somehow it feels different being my own health, not sure whether its better or worse yet, I’m still feeling numb.
I’m lucky as I have a new partner and he is being wonderful, but I have found before that those going through the same thing are the best ones to understand.
Thank you for being there.
Ok I’m just over half way through the waiting time now. Got the official apointment letter for the surgeon today. Nice that it has the C word in the department name!! Just in case I’m not sure of the implications of this?
I’ve gone through the numbness and now into the angry, tearful, not sleeping stage. I haven’t really slept at all for the last 3 nights so went to the chemist for some Nytol today. The pharmacist also suggested Bach herbal remedies to take during the day. I’ve walked, swum and done all the laundry so surely I must sleep tonight. Anyone got any other suggestions? My partner just keeps saying there’s no point worrying til we know and tells me to ‘think of nice things’. We had a massive row over that one.
Pottyone, so glad you have got your appointment. When I was dx I got two weeks worth of sleeping pills from my doctor - not something I would have used in the past, but I was so exhausted that everything was magnified… they helped a lot and got me back my sleep pattern.
Can understand the row, my OH refused to even consider cancer - his way of dealing with it
Best wishes and please keep us posted
Marguerite
Hi Pottyone
Just wanted to add a note of support, I am 10 months on from where you are now and wanted to say that it does get better, or at least your focus changes once you begin treatment and for me that was a coping mechanism.
I am sure that you won’t be feeling that at the moment; as you have said the anger and tears have taken over… as rightly they should. It’s not fair that you have to join us here and I hope that your dx is as positive as it can be.
HC x
Hi there,
I am also just dx on 3/12/10 and had WLE on 30/12/10 and get my path results tomorrow so will know more. The waiting is the worst part from first referral from GP to getting seen at the breast clinic and then it all comes at you at once. I had to wait 3 weeks for surgery which seemed like forever and being told up to 2 weeks wait for results shook me up, but BCN rang wed and told me my specimen is being looked at now and my case is to be discussed at friday mornings meeting so will hear something then(by phone as consultant will be away) thank goodness as another week waiting would have been excruciating. So just resting between catching up now all the kids have gone home after new year to keep my mind off things. We probably all feeling about the same at the moment Best wishes Bev x
Thank you Bev and HC
Went and got the results this morning. I have a grade 1 invasive ductal carcinoma about 14mm. The doctor and nurse were saying it was very lucky that I went to my screening appointment and so it was found so early. Also because I’m a EE or F cup I can most likely get away with a WLE as a day case and radiotherapy. Although worried about whether that will get all of it as its right against my chest wall. I was a little reassured though as the doctor I saw today couldn’t palpate the lump so its not surprising that I didn’t find it myself. I had been beating myself up about that.
Unfortunately the consultant was not there so I have to go back on Weds to see him and be given a date for surgery, which could be up to 4 weeks. So the waiting game continues. That takes it to my 50th birthday; not the way I was planning to celebrate!!
Have found the Nytol and Bach Rescue remedies are brilliant for aiding sleep and keeping me calm(ish)though. I gave up smoking 3 years ago and too much red wine gives me a headache and hot flushes.
Just arrived here. The comments on the site are a warm surround sound.
I really empathise with the anxieties in waitng. I was recalled from a mammogram 7 weeks ago now. On that reacall it was obviously a cancerous lump. Biopsy a week later confirmed and 2 weeks after that in for lumpectomy and sentinel node removal. Three weeks more now and results on Wednesday. I know that not knowing doesn’t change reality but it’s like the Strictly Results show without the costumes. Someone knows but I don’t. My armpit is swollen and sore - so it’s a constant reminder that all is not well. I know I’m lucky to have caught it, but finding sleeping difficult at times.
But - we keep on with other things. Bit of work. Bit of relaxing. I’ll be glad to know what I’m facing though.
Hi hotpot
I sympathize fully with trauma of waiting. I know I’m really at the beginning of what is going to be several weeks of waiting on surgery, results and decisions. Keeping busy is probably the best way to make the time go quickly.
My breast is still sore from the biopsy ten days ago although there is no bruising to see on the skin, I know the surgery is going to be worse. As you say it is more the fact that the soreness makes you aware of it all the time so its a constant reminder of IT. I don’t work as I was actually due to have surgery for a long term shoulder problem next week. That has obviously been cancelled. I’m just trying do some of my pottery and be nice to myself.
Good luck with your results, fingers crossed. x
I agree, pottyone, - keeping busy stops the worst thoughts popping in. I have enjoyed being out working today. “Are you well?” “Oh yes, fine,” I say. What else? A long story of needles and hospitals and possibilities isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, which is why it is nice to be able to read posts here.
Treatment / waiting times seem to be different in different parts of the ountry. Is it something obvious like the number of cases which arrive at the same time? If I need further surgery I am truly hoping I don’t have to wait too much more. Up to now, I seem to have been dealt with pretty quickly, only the holiday period making the wait after surgery stretch from 2 weeks to 3. Onwards to tomorrow’s news…
Focussing on something else entirely today meant that I barely noticed the soreness. I hope your pots have turned out well.
Hi girls,
still waiting for my results! Appt made for 21/1, next day got letter cancelling that one, and now on 28/1. I wonder if this is because the results aren’t ready yet and this is an appt to tell me
what’s happening next? I am trying to keep busy but just couldn’t get up this morning, didn’t feel particularly distressed just didn’t want to get on with the day. Felt better lunchtime, had meds and breakfast, showered and then just got out of the house. Feeling better this evening and hope you are all feeling ok also. Am keeping fingers crossed the results come through soon, the longer they take to come the more I feel news will not be so good. Paranoia is my new best friend, apparantly!
On a positive note the wounds following WLE and SNB healing really well so far and pain is subsiding nicely, my left breast still looks like a breast. I have a hollow bit in the bottom of it and it’s a bit smaller than the right side, but not bad at all. Am aware that rads will have their effects though =(
My OH told my Mum today as I couldn’t tell her that I have had the bad news and surgery before new year, she was not in a good way as she is in early stages of alzheimers? Her partner was diagnosed with bowel cancer in June last year and she is still a mess, but she kept it together while we were talking, so hope she is ok.
I am finding it very therapeutic writing on this site, and am feeling the love if you know what I mean? It is really nice to know you can talk to someone who knows exactly how you are feeling at any stage of tests, diagnosis, treatment etc.
Thinking of you all, and keeping my fingers crossed for all of us.
Best wishes Bev x
Hello Girls,
Feeling a bit shell shocked this afternoon as got my results. 2 out of 4 nodes involved with some lymph vessal involvement with metastatic deposits whatever that means? So have to have full node clearance on 28/1, then scans and then all the bells and whistles so looks like i am now a full member of the club!!! BCN did say that it looks like i will keep my left breast.
Had my first little blub, although can’t believe I lasted till now before crying, even then just tearful and bewildered.
I booked a hair appointment this morning for later on will be keeping it, shall enjoy the time left with it!!!
Not looking forward to telling the kids (all but 1 grown up), they all know that we were waiting for results and been calling to see if back, wasn’t expecting to have to tell them all that is going to happen now. Oh well, will put one foot in front of the other and take it one step at a time…
Best wishes to you all, Bev x
Hi Bev
In addition to the valuable support you have here already please feel free to call our helpline where you can talk through your concerns with one of our team on 0808 800 6000, the line is open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2.
I am also posting a link to our resource pack which you may find useful, it contains lots of information for anyone newly diagnosed, you can order a copy here:
You may also find our publication ‘Understanding your pathology report’ useful too, here’s the link:
Take care
Lucy
Sorry you’re joining us, Bev. It’s a shock, no two ways about it, and it’s hard to know what the results mean when you are so shocked. Keeping your hair appointment, telling the kids and taking one step at a time all sound good to me.
Don’t be afraid to go over this again with your BCN; they are used to people having to get over the shock before they can ask sensible questions. And remember you’re among friends here and you can say things you might not always want to say to your nearest and dearest.
Best luck with your treatment
Cheryl
Thank you Cheryl for you kind thoughts, I wish you well also. Thanks Lucy am trying to get through, lines busy earlier will try again,
best wishes Bev x