So scared

Hi all

My name is Jacqui. I found a lump in my breast on Saturday and I went to the doctor this morning who has referred me to the breast clinic and I have an appointment next Tuesday morning.

I’m so scared. My sister died of breast cancer 11 years ago when she was only 29 years old. It was terrible.
I live away from home, all my family are in Northern Ireland, but I’m too afraid to talk to them about this as we only buried my mother 7 weeks ago after she died of liver failure.

I do have a boyfriend but we’ve only been going out less 6 months, so I don’t know how he’s going to react to all this. He was there when I discovered the lump but we didnt talk about it other than me saying that I would go to the doctors.

I’m so frightened and alone and I just don’t want to die like my sister did.

Hi Jacqui,
Its a tough time and all on here can relate to you so there is no need to feel alone in that respect.It will seem like a long wait, but try to be positive, cancer treatment has come on so much in the last few years, and as you have reacted straight away you have done the right thing. I found mine early last Oct.You will always find a friendly ear or good advice here, so good luck and let us know how you get on.

Mary
x

Dear Jacqui38

Welcome to the forums, I’m sorry to read you are feeling frightened and alone, I am sure that you will continue to receive lots of support and information from your fellow forum members. You may also find our publication helpful to read, it’s called ‘Referral to a breast clinic’, this can be downloaded from the website via the following link: breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/referral_07_0.pdf Please also feel free to call our helpline on 0808 800 6000 if you feel it would help to talk things through with someone in confidence. The line is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.

Best wishes
Katie

Hi Jacqui

Im so sorry you are going through this, remember 9 out of 10 lumps are benign and even if it isnt as Mary said treatment has come a long way. We all know what the waiting is like and it must be very scarey for you especially because of your sister, do you have any friends that you could talk to maybe. This is going to be a long week for you so try to give yourself a couple of treats along the way, take some time out and do something nice. Im so sorry about your mum.

We are all here if you need to talk.

Take Care
Yvonne xx

sorry jacqui that you are feeling so anxious but you have done the right thing in coming on this site. Whatever happens there will be people here that you can share your fears with. They are very understandable. I’d only just started going out with someone when I found my lump and it’s not at all easy. Also my dad was recovering from major surgery a heart by pass at aged 83 so I didn’t tell anyone from my family I’d found a lump. Also as it didn’t hurt I didn’t know how seriously I should take it.

Please keep in touch and let us know how things go.

Mole

Hi Jacqui

Sorry that you have had to join us on here but you will get lots of support and advice. to get you through to next Tuesday. You seem to have had a pretty rough time already but there is always a shoulder here if you need one. Most lumps turn out to be benign and you have acted quickly which is one of the most important things. Take heart that lots of developments have been made in the last 11 years.

Take care and shout out if need anything sending love and hugs

Karen

hi jacqui
good luck with yr appt. sorry about yr mum and yr sister. theres always someone around if u need to talk.
best wishes
maria

Thank you all for your kind words and your support.

I spoke to my boyfriend and he very much wants to come with me next Tuesday so at least I won’t be facing the appointment on my own. I had to take two days off work because I was so scared I was having panic attacks and being sick, but I’ve managed to calm myself down and come back to work.

I know there are may people on this site and elsewhere who are alot worse off than me and I feel rotten that I’m being so self-pitying when I don’t even know if something is wrong yet.

I will keep you all updated and I wish everyone here health and happiness. Thanks again.

Hi Jacqui
I too have my appt on Tuesday at the 1stop breast clinic in Leicester, - Ironically its my birthday!! How far way does Tuesday seem!?! I have never wished away days or wished that my birthday would hurry up, but find myself really struggling with keeping the facade at work of being “Happy Hayley” when the worry overtakes!

I truelly hope you get some good news on Tuesday, I will be thinking of you!
Keep in touch and let me know hoe you get on,
Hayley
x

Only one more day to wait for my appointment. Can anybody tell me how long it then takes to get the actual results? I’m not sure how much of a wait I could put up with as this week has been terrible, as all of you already know on here, having done the waiting game yourselves.
Also if anyone has any knowledge of the unit in Calderdale Hospital in Halifax, West Yorkshire, which is where I will be going tomorrow, I would be extremely grateful.

Hayley
Good luck to you as well tomorrow, I hope you get goods news.

Jacqui

Hi Jacqui

It usually takes around a week for biopsy results (if you need one) and the same I think for fna (I didnt have one of those) but at least you will have made the first step and you know something is happening. It is still hard though. All kinds of things will still go through your head unless your consultant can put your mind at rest.

Good luck

Yvonne x

Hi Jacqui.
I had mammogram. ultrasound and fna on the tuesday, and got my results on Friday of same week.
Good luck, keep your chin up.
Mary
x

Hi all

Had my mammogram and ultrasound on Tuesday and was asked to come back the next day, yesterday on Wednesday for a core biopsy. They have booked me back in for my results on Tuesday 6th May.
The consultant told me after examining my scans that he thought the lump was benign, but didnt say what “the lump” might be, and said they would do the core biopsy to be sure.
Is this what they say to everybody to stop them from panicking?
Feel confused as well as scared now!

Jacqui

Hi Jacqui

I think your consultant is just being very thorough as a biopsy is usually part of the triple assessment given. He has stuck his neck out and said that he thinks the lump is benign which I would take as a very good sign as they will not say anything positive unless they are fairly certain. I know they get it wrong sometimes but that is thankfully rare. They certainly don’t tell people they think lumps are benign just to stop them panicking. If he felt it was malignant he would have said so. They are brutally honest, believe me.

Good luck with results

Cathy
xx

Hi Jacqui

I would very much doubt that the consultant would say he thought the lump was benign if he thought otherwise, he would be more likely to say nothing or advise that they need to wait for the biopsy results before knowing anything.

Fingers crossed that all is ok.

Hi Jacqui

I am glad you are having core biopsy. I am sorry but my consultant said mine was benign but couldn’t say what it was so later all tests he finally said lets remove it and wham bam it was grade 3 IDC. They were as shocked but I am glad they decided to remove it. I am not trying to scare you just telling you of my experience. I wish you lots of luck…9 out of 10 are benign.They need to be thorough and I am sure you want to know exactly what this lump is.

I am so sorry to read about the loss of your mum and sister. I hope you have some good support in this horrible waiting time.

Keep us posted, good luck the time will pass and soon your mind will be at ease.

P

Thank you again for all your support.

I feel stupid about asking whether the consultant was humouring me or not! But as you all know on this site, some pretty strange things go through your head until all the results are in.

When I get my core biopsy results, and even if they are all ok, can I still ask the consultant to have the lump removed? I just don’t feel comfortable with the thought of having it inside me as I know that I’ll always be poking and worrying at it.

Also if I were to have it removed how would it affect the appearance of my breast? My consultant hasn’t even told me how big the lump is. I know I probably sound very shallow as lots of you ladies on here have actually had mastectomies, but I love my little boobies! Can anyone tell me of a similar experience and how they are now?

Again thanks to everyone and and to everyone here I wish health and happiness.

Jacqui x

Hi Jacqui

Yes you can ask for your lump to be removed. Lots of the women recommend it I had a lump removed last year and microcalcification and have quite a dent on that side, but it doesnt notice when I have a bra on my scar is about 4cm long which is noticeable but still fading.

Hope this helps

Yvonne xx

Hi All

Just to let you know that I got the results of my scans/biospy on Tuesday 6th May. My consultant said he thinks (i was hoping he’d be sure!) my lump is a fibroadenoma (is that spelt correctly?!) and that he’s not going to remove it and it may go away on it’s own (do they really?). I was about to cry with relief when he said that they will have to book me back in for more scans/biopsy as they have now found a thickening of the tissue in my other breast now. He wants me to wait until August now for these tests and said that they will test my lump again at the same time.

Is it possible to feel relieved, scared and now confused at the same time?

Jacqui

Hi Jacqui

Yes its possible, I went initially last year for lumps that turned out to be fatty deposits, but the problem was in the other breast so I was relieved that the lumps were ok and then scared because of what they found and confused because I didnt expect it.

I am wondering why they are leaving you so long, maybe they are waiting to see if anything develops. This is also the case with me, I had nipple discharge and traces of blood were found so I have to go back at the end of this month (three months later).

Good luck with your tests

Yvonne xx