Hi, I have spent more time on this forum than anywhere else since I found a lump in my right breast only last week (I’m a very anxious person generally)
I was able to get a GP appointment on Monday morning and she was concerned and put me through as an urgent referral (NI) she advised that the wait is supposed to be 2 weeks however it is currently up to 10! On Wednesday I then received an update to say my referral is now Regional Red Flag and I will be seen anywhere in NI but when I called they advised this is still around 8 weeks.
I have been so anxious since I found out and it’s affecting my sleep and appetite and everything else. My husband has been amazing but I have a 7 year old daughter so I’m trying to act normal all day. I’m finding it really hard to share with friends or family as I don’t want anyone else to be worrying. I know it sounds so silly and people here have been through so much worse but the thought of waiting 2 months, all over Christmas etc. and pretending to everyone I’m ok is so hard. My biggest worry is that if it is cancer it’ll be so much worse by the time I’m diagnosed because of the wait!
Does anyone have any tips or advice from when they were at this stage? Thanks in advance
I feel for you so much. It seems cruel to keep you hanging on in limbo. Especially over Christmas. It’s so hard to believe you have to wait 8 weeks for a reverral after you have been “Red Flagged” what area do you live? Surely this is wrong. Could you possible see a different doctor for a more urgent referral. Sending a hug x
Thanks for replying, going by your username I imagine you are or have been in similar situation? I feel so silly getting so worked up when I could find out that it’s benign and nothing to worry about but it’s really hard to think rationally for more than a few minutes! I’m in Northern Ireland, northern trust but the referral I now have means I can be seen anywhere within NI when an appointment is available. I have seen from a few threads on here that this is unfortunately quite common for NI. I want to keep phoning and seeing if there is anything I can do but I think the truth is there are lots of other women in the same position as me so it’s waiting it out for now! X
Oh I hear you! The rational side of me reads how calcifucation is usually benign but it’s all happened so fast I’m struggling to process it all and am scared. I got post mammagram letter last Tues calling me for a recall. Then yday I called up and found it’s due to some specs of calcification showing. Which means on Monday as well as extra mammograms am probably going to have to get a stereotatic biopsy which I’m very anxious about. Then of course the wait. Although strangely that wait doesn’t seem as bad as the pre tests wait. I’m so anxious about Monday. I’ve had many cysts aspirated but have always been a bit mammophobic.
Hubby is coming with me. But other than family, like you, I don’t really want to share it with friends at the moment. Which is really unlike me, so find am fobbing people off a bit. That must be really hard for you for such a long time. I’m still shocked it’s taking 8 weeks but I guess from what you say a different system in NI (I live South East England) hopefully though an earlier one might come up for you even if a different area. I can’t help feeling it seems a bit harsh to leave you hanging. Sending positive vibes and a good nights sleep! X
Oh it sounds like you’re going through it at the minute! It’s so hard finding yourself in a position you never imagined and no idea how to react/not reacting at all like you thought you would! I really hope tests go smoothly on Monday and you get some positive news!
When my GP told me the two week turnaround she said ‘but it’s not taking that long currently’ and I let out a little whimper or relief because I thought that meant sooner and then I spiralled a bit when she said 10 weeks! I’m so paranoid, checking my breasts 20 times a day, constantly feeling hyper aware of them feeling every twinge or slight sensation and wondering what if it means something horrible! I have been definitely isolating myself more than normal and feel so fake when I am interacting with people, responding thay I’m doing great or keeping well etc when it’s quite the opposite!
Thank you for replying and for letting me vent, even writing it down is a bit of a relief! X
Aw thank you too. I’ve only ever read on a forum before. This is my first time replying. I think we’ve given each other a little support across the miles. Sleep well x
Just wanted to check in and say hope Monday went ok for you and the procedure wasn’t as bad as expected! Hope you’re not waiting too long for results x
Aw thank you that’s so kind. I had a 3D mammogram, an ultrasound and a stereotactic biopsy. None of the tests were bad atcl all and staff at Worthing all lovely. Hubby came with me. The calcification specs are on my old surgical scar and are a BIRAD 3. Hopefully I get the results next Thursday. So am back to playing the waiting game have told friends now as its on my mind and I couldn’t not. That’s helped. This is quite a busy week which helps too but it does play on my mind. How are you doing? X
Aww so glad they weren’t as bad as you’d imagined and helpful to know ahead of mine whenever they are. Sending lots of positive energy and thoughts that you get good news next Thursday and that you can keep busy between now and then! Would you recommend having someone with you at the clinic?
I’m doing ok, had a weekend away last week which felt great at the time and kept me so distracted but then I had a bit of a meltdown on Wednesday after calling the appointment line and being told it’s still looking like the first week of January before I’ll be seen. Instead of distracting I feel like I’m masking or being really fake with everyone so just feel burnt out after, dreading Christmas time and any plans and parties I’ve already committed too! Mentally I feel like I need a break but I can’t take time off work now when I might need it down the line! I’ve seen a few people on threads saying they wish they could go back and tell themselves not to put everything on hold whilst waiting but I am finding it sooo difficult to get on with things as normal! X
I’m another in the same boat. Found a lump in the lower inner quadrant at the weekend and noticed my breast had changed shape. Saw gp first thing Monday who put an urgent referral in, but I’m panicking because lump is large (5cm) firm and only partially moveable. My gut instinct says cancer, particularly since I’ve had unprovoked blood clots this year and after the last one in July they gave me a manual breast examination there and then which found nothing palpable. GP says her gut instinct is yes too, (I asked outright because I d rather know) but that she’s done everything she can to speed up the referral and she’s been wrong before because nobody can be certain without scans etc. Size of lump and speed of growth is terrifying me though.
So sorry to hear you’ve found yourself in the same position! Are you also in Northern Ireland? The waiting is sooo hard, I’ve been so emotional today and I think it’s because I know if they targets were met, or if I was anywhere else in the UK it is likely I’d have been seen at clinic by now but instead I’ve another 6 weeks or so to wait! I’m studying the lump every day and constantly overthinking every little detail about it! Convincing myself my nipple is changing now but don’t know if I’m just being paranoid! Really hope you get some answers soon and that it turns out to be something less sinister! X
I’m in Scotland, so I don’t think the wait is as long (10 weeks!) but Christmas and New year are bound to add delays. I know exactly what you mean -Ive convinced myself that I can see my lump growing. Sending you a virtual handhold from Scotland.
Sending you both a virtual hug from right down in South England. The waiting is pure torture. I’ve tried so hard to stay busy and positive but had a very tearful day yday. It was 6 days waiting for the scary tests (that actually were ok) and am now on Day 8 waiting for Thrs results. There’s a chance they call you tomorrow pm if they’re not back and you have to wait another week. I think I’ll go crazy if that happens. It’s so hard carrying on as usual with everyone. I think friends & even family can’t really understand what the waiting does to you. I know you are both waiting longer and my heart goes out to you both
I’ve got an appointment date of Wednesday 17 December . Best case scenario I’ll know what I’m dealing with by Christmas. Keeping everything crossed for soon dates and good results for @anxiouslyawaiting and @enia1703 and everyone else waiting anxiously
10 weeks is crazy, my heart really goes out to you! Having spoken to the booking team in NI today’s it’s down to 8 weeks here now which means I’ve around 5 left to wait and that still seems like forever!
I really hope you hear back today/ this week as another full week sounds like torture! I know exactly what you mean about not understanding it either, I’ve only really shared with my husband (and my boss) because I don’t want people worrying unnecessarily and he has been amazing but he’s thinking so positive and when I say something I’m concerned about or something feels different he usually responds with I’m sure it’s nothing or I’m sure it’ll be ok or doesn’t mean anything and he’s trying to be helpful but it makes me feel crazy and then I don’t want to bring things up! Everything is so out of our control which is so difficult! Really hope you hear soon and it’s good news, thinking of you!
Oh great news you’ve got an appointment date and can work towards that now, hopefully be good news before Christmas! Sending lots of positive thoughts!! Thank you!
@enia1703, I don’t have any advice for you unfortunately, but I just wanted to say that I do know how you feel. I too am in NI & today is 5wks of waiting for me (also red flagged). I was initially told it was a 4wk wait, but my partner got through to Antrim on the 4th week, to be told it was 8wks - so much for NICE guidelines here!
I always tell people, '“don’t worry unless you know there’s something to worry about”. Ha! If only it was that easy. I haven’t stopped worrying since I found my (c.4cm lump) in my teeny right boob. I have many totally irrational thoughts throughout each day - and night - and although I know they’re not helping, I can’t stop them. I spend hours researching online about lump types & sizes but in my head I’ve already confirmed it as cancer. 18th Dec is my 8wk ‘deadline’ but I’m trying not to get my hopes up. My boob has been quite painful these past few days, as if reminding me it’s still there. Thanks, boob!
I will say though, that we will get through this wait, and the diagnosis, and whatever comes after it. Because we have to. We have a lifetime ahead of us xx
have told friends now as its on my mind and I couldn’t not. That’s helped. This is quite a busy week which helps too but it does play on my mind. How are you doing? X