Hi ladies,
My name’s Kaz, I posted on the breast awareness forum a couple of weeks ago. I have 2 lumps in my right breast which I went to see my doctor about 2 weeks ago. She decided that they were probably fibrocystic breast condition, I didn’t need a referal and that I should go back after a fortnight for her to check. Well, I went yesterday and as the lumps haven’t changed in size and I have now had thickness in my breast for about 5/6 weeks, she has done an urgent referal to breast clinic. Unfortunately, as I was a bit shell shocked and had my 2 year old with me, I didn’t ask what happens at the appointment. Do I just see a consultant and then have to wait again for tests, or are the tests carried out at the same time?
Thanks x
Hi tricksterswif
I am sure you will receive lots of information and advice about clinic referrals and what will happen from other forum members, but in the meantime, you might find our publication on the topic a useful read.
I have given the link here to the booklet which can be either downloaded or ordered via the website.
breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/referral_redesign__final_14_feb_08_0.pdf
I do hope you find it helpful.
Kind regards
Louise
Facilitator
Hi Kaz - sorry to hear that you are going through this worrying time…
It really varies very much from hospital to hospital - some do one stop clinics where all the tests are done in one day and at others you see the doctor and may have to come for the tests later…
It might be good to ring up the hospital and ask them what happens at yours…
I really hope all turns out well…
Theresa
You should be given a triple assessment which is mammogram,ultrasound and a fine needle biopsy where they use a syringe to draw some fluid out of the lump for testing.You should also be examined by a specialist doctor,usually a surgeon.If it is a one stop clinic you will get the results that day otherwise you may have to wait as long as two weeks.Waiting is the worst part.remember 9 out of 10 breast lumps are benign.I hope all goes well for you-d let us know.
Love Val
Thank you so much for replying so quickly. The doctor said to let her know if I haven’t had an appointment date by Weds, so hopefully I won’t be waiting too long. I’ve just read the bcc info sheet, so am a lot more clued up now thanks. I just wish she had referred me 2 weeks ago when I first went to see her and maybe all this worrying would be over by now. I hope you’re all doing ok with your treatment.
Kaz x
Hi Kaz…as Theresa says it may vary from hospital to hospital…but my experience was the triple assessment. There were lots of other ladies there and some went after their first and 2nd assessments, but just me and another lady where there for all three. I got my results from that after 2 weeks…it should have been 1 week but it was over Christmas. So whatever happens you should have fairly quick results back…fingers crossed for you.
take it easy Kaz
Helenxx
Morning,
I went through all the “oh my god it’s cancer” feelings 2 weeks ago and then they seemed to calm down, but now I’m having them all again. I’m obsessed with feeling to see if the lumps are any bigger, I’m constantly looking at my kids and just wanting to break down. I can’t sleep, I just want to know now. I feel awful for feeling so down when I haven’t even been diagnosed with anything, but I just can’t help it. Is this normal?
from my experience totally normal!! the waiting for the results and waiting to go for the tests was the worst bit, because you don’t know and your mind works overtime! Once I knew I felt better because although not good news it is being dealt with!
Emotions go all over the place, hope your news is good, keep posting it helps to be on here!!
love Debs xxxxx
Hi Kaz
Will be keeping everything crossed for you that you get good news. My advice would be take your Mum/Partner or best friend with you. The appointment can drag out a bit if you have all 3 tests done on the day. I went for mine alone and it was probably one of silliest things I have done on this journey 
Best wishes from Judy
Hi Kaz…What Judy says makes sense…if you can take someone with you then do so. I took my OH and he had a real boring time of it for the most part as he was sat in reception, but just him being there was enough for me. Surprisingly while I was waiting to be seen in my very special gown…lol…I got chatting with other ladies in the waiting room. I think actually we were more relaxed than our husbands cos they didn’t have anyone to chat to. We both met our breast care nurse there and she has been with us all the way…superb person!!! Like Debs says the waiting is the very hardest part!!! Just keep busy and the days will move more swiftly!
Hi trickster…yes you are perfectly normal…all I did when waiting for results was ‘feel’ my breasts dozens of times a day, sometimes without thinking!!! Emotions will be up and down…but keep posting how you feel it will help!! Good luck Trickster and Kaz, take care.
Helenxx
Thanks for your kind words ladies. Helen, Kaz is my real name and tricksterswif is my bcc name, so the messages are all from me, I just sometimes forget to put “Kaz” on the end!
I’ve been for a run this morning and so feel a little better. It’s amazing what a bit of exercise can do for your stress levels. I’m doing the race for life in July, so am in training for that.
I get the feeling that my husband and family really don’t want me to talk about the tests. Every time I try and talk to my husband, he just says “it will be fine” and changes the subject. Same with my Mum and my Sister. I really need to talk to someone about everything that is going through my head though, I have to try and appear normal at home so that my kids aren’t affected, but my head feels like it’s going to pop. I just can’t help feeling that it’s going to be bad news, and everywhere I look I am seeing single magpies’s and I’m very suspicious. Stupid I know.
Kaz x
OOps sorry Kaz…not very observant lol
It is important that you chat about your worries, if possible or you bottle it all up. Have you got a friend you can off load on? But you can also do that on here love …we are here to listen and give advice through our own experiences if possible!
I do the magpie thing too! can’t think why though!
It’s good that you can take your mind off things with running, my OH does that too…it helps him! Great that you are training for the race for life…
What date is your appointment Kaz…
Keep running, take care
Helenxx
Hi Helen,
I don’t have an appointment yet. I saw my GP on Friday and she was going to do the referral then, so hopefully I will get a phone call this week. My GP said to let her know if I haven’t had a call by Wednesday. I have only told one friend about what’s going on and she reacted in the same as my family. I suppose they are all worried as well and so saying “come on, be positive” is what they think is the right thing to say. To be honest, I don’t know what I want them to say! Blimey, I am confused…
Kaz x
hi Kaz…not easy is it. This is the hardest bit…the waiting for things to happen. My husband and sister and a friend were the only ones I told. They said the same as your family…and thinking positive is good…but not always easy to achieve when its you in that position. I’m a positive person and I think thats what has carried me through. I tried to bury myself in my work to pass the time as quick as possible…so know how you feel love. If you haven’t heard anything make sure you make that call…
take care now
Helenxx
ps. love the picture!!!
Morning ladies,
Can I ask your opinions please? When you had your appointment at the breast clinic, were you happy with the tests that they carried out or do you wish that you had pushed for further tests whilst you were there? (eg a biopsy if you were told that one wasn’t required). I just want to get an idea of what I should be doing/saying when I am there.
Thanks,
Kaz x
Hi Kaz…I had all three tests anyway…they obviously thought I needed to. But definitely ask them any questions or queries you feel unsure about. Write questions down to ask, I did. They do know what they are looking for…but asking them to explain why they haven’t done a test is important …I have learnt so much more now further down the line, its important that your fears are put to rest.
Fingers crossed for you love.
Helenxxx
Kaz, i didn’t have a choice! Had mammogram, they could see something but weren’t sure, had ultrasound they said the same and they did the biopsy taking 3 samples. When I saw the doctor he said it was M3 so something there but not definate when I returned for results it was BC. So they did what they knew was right! I’m not very good at asking questions, so find it all very hard! Hope you get yr appt soon and good luck love Debs xxxxx
Morning all
Hi Kaz, sorry you’ve had to join us - but you’ve come to the right place! As everyone has already said - this is a tough time - the waiting for appts,then more waiting for results - it seems to just go on and on. Family and friends often seem to find it very difficult to know what to say - and I think a lot react in the same way - they don’t want to discuss anything and you get a lot of “Don’t worry - stay positive - it’ll be fine!”
And - hopefully, it will be fine, but you WILL worry - bound to! That’s “normal” -so is running through all the “what ifs”. We all do / did that. Try not to let your imagination run riot - and I know that is a lot easier said than done! - but take each day and each step at a time.
I’m sure the clinic will do all that is needed - personally I had more mammos, then ultrasound then a biopsy in the mammo unit. But do remember - everyone’s lumps are different, and the tests that one person has varies to another. For instance - your age makes a difference to what they see with mammos and ultrasound - younger boobs are “denser”. Fluid, for example, shows well on u/s, there is a no “one size fits all”. That said - if you don’t feel happy, with what is done / not done - ask for explanations, you need to have peace of mind.
And, again, as already said - have company - it can be a long drawn out couple of hours or so.
Take care - and I hope your appt comes through soon for you, it feels better when things are moving forwards!
Lizzy XX
PS - Helen as well - I can’t see a magpie without saying “Good morning Mr Magpie, how is your wife and children?”!!! Mad, or what!! Even if I with someone, I have to mutter it under my breath! Ridiculously superstitious!
i wrote questions down too and ticked them off as i went! I was offered everything tests wise once they found cancer from the punch biopsy but they were a bit dismissive the first time to i went as they were so sure it was a benign fibroadenoma!
Surprised a lot of people.
me included.
Good luck
x
Thank you everyone. I’m hoping that I will get a phone call with an appointment today. I’ve now convinced myself that the persistant cough that I have had for the last few months is connected! I did mention it to my GP on Friday, but she just dismissed it and didn’t even check my chest. I guess I’m just getting paranoid now…
Kaz x