Hi All
I’m a newby and am not too sure what to say without rambling on too much about it… I have read some of the posts and it seems what I am going through is nothing compared to some so I feel silly really but feel this is the best place to come for advice.
I went to the breast clinic yesterday after a referal from the doc as I found a lump in my left breast. I had the examination and then sat down in front of a worried looking lovely doc. I then had a mammogram.ultrasound scan and biopsy and have got to go back on Tuesday 17th May for the results. As you can imagine I have all sorts of things going around in my head at the moment of what it could be and I imagine the worst so I am prepared IF that is the outcome. Now I seem to understand from reading through some posts that alot of you are doing really well and this has given me a glimmer of hope IF the outcome is not what I wish it to be. If the lump turns out to be benign what will happen??? IF it turns out to be cancerous what will happen??? These are questions I should have asked yesterday but my mind was in a tizz and I couold not think.
Many Thanks for reading this
Tracy
Hello icklemisspink
Welcome to the forums, you’ve come to the right place for support as the users of this site have a wealth of knowledge between them.
Whilst waiting for replies you may find it useful to contact our free helpline on 0808 800 6000, opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 – 2.00.
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi there! Sorry you’ve had to join us on here, but you are in good company. We all understand what it’s like waiting for the results of tests and it really is the worst bit. I found that I had to keep busy, working, housework, time out of the house to help pass the time. 3am in the morning is always the worst time for me and I found I had to read a book to try and divert my mind from going down the cancer route of thinking. It’s hard to do this I know. Try not to think too far ahead, concentrate on yourself and do some things you enjoy this weekend.
9/10 lumps are non-cancerous remember that. If it does turn out to be cancerous then you will be given a treatment plan - you will not be left alone and you will receive lots of support from a breast care nurse and medical professionals.
This website is great for support from people in the very same situation as you - try not to google though as this will send you into a panic - it did for me!
I’m sending positive vibes for you next Tuesday. Let us all know how you get on.
All the very best
Rachelx
Thank You Rachel I know nothing of breast cancer nor what it entails I try not to go through the internet as I know alot of it is outdated and would rather speak to real people going through it rather than read alot of documents that tell you nothing. I did not know that about the lumps so that has put my mind at ease slightly…
If it turns out to be a non cancerous lump will they need to remove it??/
Thanks Again
Tracy
xx
Hi, and a welcome from me. Sorry you’re having this worry but plenty of lovely people here to talk to, whatever the outcome.
Yes, most people do really well these days. No guarantees, but if it is breast cancer there’s no longer a need to expect the worst. So much handy info on here about how we can help ourselves to get through the treatments and give ourselves the right encouragement and support etc.
I was diagnosed in Jan/Feb this year and am having chemotherapy with some surgery to follow and then a year of ‘wonderdrug’ herceptin but each treatment plan will depend what (if anything) they find for a particular person. I was in a complete panic for several weeks but oddly most of us seem to find we calm down hugely once we know what’s what and realise which bits are ok.
Keep talking with us…
Ann x
Hi tracy… the waiting is ghastly… I’m not a medic, but I had a lumpectomy for a benign lump 10+ years ago, which was day surgery, and a doddle. Week off to get rid of anaesthetic brain… no other problems, neatest scar you ever did see. I think the decision whether to take out benign lumps is based broadly on what kind of lump it is, your age, and so on. i was told “at your age, we don’t want to leave it in” I thought they were saying I was young (45 at the time)… they were saying I was old!!! When I had that lump, I tried hard to choose to be positive, and every so often I’d find myself wondering how the kids were going to manage without me! keeping busy is definitely a plus. Accepting that your feelings go up and down is important too… talk to the breast care nurses if you are feeling anxious/worried/down/frightened - they are brilliant. This time, when the lump WAS cancerous, I have not worried in the same way at all - it needs dealing with and that’s what we’re doing - strange how our brains work… Let us know how it goes… Jane
Tracy, it’s no good telling you not to worry because you’re in a very scary place at the moment, but as Ann has said, even being diagnosed with breast cancer is not the end of the world. It might seem hard to believe but I think most people would agree that waiting for results is the very worst bit and once you know the worst (or, hopefully, the best!) and have a treatment plan it becomes a whole lot easier to deal with.
If the lump is benign they might still want to remove it - it just depends what it is. If it’s a cyst they’ll most likely just drain it, but often other benign lumps are removed (sometimes because there’s the risk that they could be the precursor of something more malignant). When you go for your results they should be able to tell you exactly what’s going to happen next.
If it is cancer, the “next” is variable and depends on the type, size and number of lumps. It might be an operation first or might be chemo first to shrink it before an op. They’ll check for lymph node involvement and you’ll probably also have scans, so don’t panic if you’re sent for any or all of bone, CT & MRI scans - they’re all routinely done early on in treatment, sometimes before an op but I had mine after.
Good luck - please keep in touch and let us know how you get on - we’ll all be here for you if you need us on the 17th.
Jane xxx
Good that you’ve already decided not to google, and for exactly the right reasons. However there are some sites that are reputable that you might want to look at, if you feel the need. You should take a look at the Publications bit of this site, and look at the early booklets which tell you about breast clinics, and what they are looking for. I know you’ve already been to the clinic once, but there is other info in there that you might find useful.
I also suggest you get a notebook and write down all the questions you have. You might post them on here or ask them at your clinic appointment. Include all the “what if” questions too - remember the big adage: THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A SILLY QUESTION. We were all where you were, knowing nothing about the disease or the treatments or outcomes or, well, ANYTHING! So ask any questions, no-one will laugh at you or think you’re being silly. If it’s enough to worry you, it’s enough to warrant asking the question.
And don’t forget about the 9 out of 10 figure. Yes, it may well turn out to be something that needs further dealing with, but until you get your results, there is still hope. And even after you get your results there is still hope!
Nearly forgot to say, the Helpline is really good, so give them a ring and have a chat, they’re lovely.
Please come back and let us know, we like good news.
Thank you to all who have took time out to comment it means so much for me to hear from people who know exactly how i’m feeling I have the greatest family in the world and wonderful friends but they can only imagine what sort of “rubbish” is going through my head right now. I held it together so well yesterday in front of them and right up until I lay in bed and then “bang” a thought (that WILL NEVER happen) appeared “what if my son forgets me…” I know I should not have these thoughts but I can’t stop it I really want to but I can’t…
I know my lump is not a cyst and that it is more than this but not knowing is driving me insane… I keep thinking I can’t do this to my mum she has already lost one daughter (not from cancer tho) and now she has to go through this with me but on a plus note if anyone in my family is to have this then I am the best equipt to deal with it as I am the “just get on with it type” and “nothing really fazes me girl”
I’m rambling now and have probably made no sense at all but as I started by saying thanks I will end with a big thanks
xxxx
I think we’ve all had the “I’m going to die in a fortnight” feeling, and all that goes along with it, so you’re definitely not alone on that one. It’s most scary while you’re in The Waiting Room, and it DOES get better, even if you get a cancer diagnosis, which of course is NOT definite.
Keep posting, particularly when your “brave face” fails you, it really helps because you know the people who read your posts know exactly what you’re going through without you having to be brave.
Hiya. Your story is the exact same as mine. I also get my results tomorrow and i am rally scared. I have also had 2 letters to attend a CT scan and a full body bone scan. The “worried” looking doctor ordered them in advance saying they could be cancelled. Today my legs are like jelly and i am a wreck. Cant imagine sitting there tomorrow. But hey ho here we go. take care and if it is the worst news we will certainly understand what each other is feeling.x
Lorna
I have posted this on behalf of new user jools:-
hello there .exactly the same,i get my results tomorrow after they found a sinister tumour in my left breast.i am so scared,i have 4 young kids and am so worried for them.the gp is giving me a special appt to give me the results early becuase we go straight off to italy after and they didnt want to phone me with the results.sinister tumour and inflamed lymph nodes have not inspired me with confidence.i just hope if it is ,it is early.