Hi everyone,
Hope you all don’t mind, but I had to talk to someone. I’m waiting for result of a core biopsy. I’m due to go back to hospital on Wed 8th Aug. Seems like a lifetime, as I had the biopsy a week ago.
The thing is I don’t know how I am supposed to act? Do I have BC or not? Should I be worried, or carry on as if nothing has happened.My son asks me if I have bc, what do I say? All I say at the moment is that we don’t know yet, but if I have, it means I will get treatment to get rid of it. He asked me if I was going to die.(He is 11, I am 45). I tried the best possible way I could to explain that cancer doesn’t always mean death. He seemed to accept that. But how can I reassure him, when I don’t have a clue myself.
As I have read on various posts, it is the not knowing which is worse, I would rather know, and get on with it.
Anyway, it helps having this forum. You all sound so nice. I must admit to being a little scared.
Will let you know how I get on.
jo x
did they not give you any idea at the one stop clinic hon, as i would have thought you would have been told like suspicious or not very good,i cannot help you i,m afraid, perhaps the gals that did have biopsies will come on board here.
i too am waiting, i went to have a fluid cyst drained, but alas the lump is still there different shape,that was two weeks ago i go bk for another ultra sound in 2 weeks so my worry continues.
it has been kept private between my hubby and i till we know for sure
keep poss it might be all benign i pray hon
love
cee
Hi cee,
I was told it was cysts, but they had found some abnormal cells from the little bit of flluid he got. Which is why I had a biopsy. So as you can see, I don’t know what to think. Thanks for your comments, and good luck for your appt in 2 weeks.
jo x
Hi Jo - cysts sounds good, but the biopsy will be conclusive when the pathologist looks at the tissue removed to see if it is benign or malignant. Can’t comment on your experience, but I was under no illusion that I had breast cancer at the 3 step procedure. I had a normal 3 yrly mammo some 2 months before and was recalled. The radiologist showed me the original mammo x-ray and when I saw it, with a spiculated black mass (like a starburst), my heart sank, and I just knew I had bc. I then had an ultrasound, and a core biopsy, when the Director of the breast care clinic made me and my husband look at the screen. She never mentioned the dreaded cancer word, but took us into a small private office, and discussed lumpectomy or mastectomy! She even had a date for initial surgery.
The abnormal cells you have might be something quite innocuous, and if they got fluid out of the lump that is a really good sign, as cancerous tumours are not usually fluid filled, but solid lumps.
I am rather surprised they are making you wait so long for the results of the biopsy - I had mine on a Monday, breast care nurse rang me on the next Friday, with an appt that day to come in for the results. So, it could really be good news for you. Truly hope it is.
I don’t unfortunately have any children, but I would take it easy with your young son, reassuring him as well as you can. BC is not always a death sentence, as many women on here can testify to.
Hope you can give each other lots of cuddles.
Liz.
HI Jo
Most of the ladies on this forum will tell you that, waiting for results, is the worse experience, we as human beings let our imaginations run riot, and not in a positive way… There is no way to act, you have to do what is right for you. Rant, Cry, Scream. If you need to vent, then you have come to the best place, the ladies here are fantastic. Advice, support and help as and when you need it.
Let us know how you are doing.
Take Care
Maggie x
Hi Jo,
I got the all clear yesterday but the past couple of weeks just wondering have been a nightmare, or at least they would have been without the incredible support from the people on this forum.
I will, of course, be thinking of you. I know “try not to worry” is very easy to say and not so easy to do. I’ll echo what’s already been said though about this forum. It’s a great place to come to if you want reassurance, if you want to scream and rant or if you’re feeling “up” and want to share that too. We’re all in it together.
Take care, Hon,
beano x
I’ve been through what your going through, and its hell, and I’m about to go through all over again as the lump I had removed has come back, and rather quickly.
Mine was a benign fibroadenoma, so hopefully this one will be too. I had to wait two weeks for my results too and its not an easy time at all.
Like the others have said, the only way to act is how you feel, there are no rules, no boundaries. I only found this site yesterday and TBH, I find it extremely supportive and a good place to vent things to peolpe who understand how you feel.
I truley hope its good news for you, no doubt this next week will be the longest of your life so far, but we will be thinking of you!
Hx x
Hi Jo
I too am waiting - I had a core biopsy last Wednesday - they said they would ring me with an appointment - so I don’t even have a date in mind at the moment. They said 7-10 days, the clinics are Tue and Thurs so I think I will hear this Thurs or next Wed. The Dr who took the biopsy said the results only take three days, but the cons would want to think about them and discuss them with his team so that’s the delay. I have not had any reassurance - I noticed that when brushing my hair the R breast no longer looked like a U more like a W ! The mammogramm shows distortion, US nothing. I agree the not knowing is really hard. I am 41 and have a 5 year old - we were not going to tell her any thing until we knew things for definate - but when she started lunging at my chest last Wednesday night for cuddles I had to ask her to be careful. I told her that the Dr had just had a look to see if it is OK (her gran and aunt have had bc in the last 3 years so knows she needs to be gentle at times). I am just filling in the days with adventures with the little one - all the easier now the suns come out! Hope you have good news
Tinkers x
hi rosegarden, i too was told cyst but she did not send the fluid to histology so i guess and i mean guess that she will do a core one a week thurs,
keep poss hopefully it is a cluster of cysts babe
bless you
cee
Hi Jo,
I’m sorry to hear you are having to wait so long for your results, although I know this is by no means unusual. I was ‘fortunate’ in that I went to a ‘one-stop shop’. I was diagnosed with bc in March, age 34. I have since had a mastectomy and am now on chemo. Got rads, hormones and hercpetin to look forward to after that! They’re throwing everything at this little blighter and I’m not complaining!
Anyway, although I went to a one-stop shop I remember how I felt when I was waiting for the appt after being referred by my doc. I only had to wait 6 days but it was prob the hardest 6 days ever!!! I told a couple of people and as I am considered ‘young’ everyone said it was bound to be a cyst. I didn’t know what to think though. I had to have time off work as it was all I could think about. I didn’t want to tell my mum as I didn’t want to worry her unecessarily but she soon picked up that something was wrong so I ended up telling her everything!! I did go on this site but the messages I read scared me to be honest, so I chose not to register or post anything at that time. It has been my life saver ever since though!!
After having all my tests, inc mammo’s and biopsies I only had to wait an hour for the results. That hour was just horrendous and I cried loads! My boyfriend was with me and he was just as upset. I really feel for you during this difficult time, I think I prob would’ve gone quietly mad had I had to wait any longer!!
I really hope the news for you is good and it is just a cyst or something equally unsinister (is that even a word??). If the news is not so good then you know where to find us,
Take care of yourself and be sure to let us know how you get on. I will be thinking of you next weds. What time is your appt? I have my chemo next weds afternoon but will log on when I can to see how you got on,
Tinkers- I really hope the news for you is good too, do let us know
Kelly
-x-
Sorry but I just need to let off a little steam! I have just rung to find out when my appt would be (the 7-10 days made me presume either the clinic tomorrow or next Tues at 14 days) as I have no child care for Tues. I have an appointment for the 14th of Aug which is ages away! I hope this means that they are not concerned now - but given that they refuse to give any indication/ clues it seems too long. I may ring the nurse tomorrow and explain I have my own waiting list breaches that I am trying to sort out (they like to sname and shame in the trust that I work in!) and I just can not do that with out knowing if I need to plan ahead. Please excuse the rant, just felling very frustrated.
Tinkers
Tinkers, you rant as much as you want to. It’s what we are here for. We all know what the waiting is like and I’m sure it must seem like an eternity to you. As you say, I’m sure it must mean that they are not too concerned but, nevertheless you need to know one way or the other. If you ring the nurse are you likely to get any sort of indication out of her? I would hope that the health care professionals you are dealing with must have some idea of the torture that all the waiting must be putting you through. In the meantime, we are all here for you.
Try and stay positive, Hon.
beano x
Oh thanks beano - I do feel positive, but also angry! I thik what is harderst is that I have pressures for my NHS job (as above) with waiting lists which are increased by me not working the summer hols - so I don’t feel in control of that now. Also I have beeen developing my own business and had to postpone one major conference last week, put new clients off and I have a deadline mid Aug to confirm two venue bookings for courses I am running. I feel it is really hard to know what to do. At the clinic they have been very neutral all along and also said they will not give results over the phone (however that is not what it says in the leaflet for the one stop clinic - if they haven’t come back by 8pm the cons will ring!). So I think I will try the nurse tomorrow and explain the deadlines I’m working to - if she won’t give me results maybe she will tell wether to cancel the venue for the course or not! LOL!
I’ll let you know how my powers of persuasion are!
Tinkers
All the best with that, Tinkers.
I wish some of these people would be a bit more aware of the impact their lack of action has on those who matter most!
Take care,
beano x
Hi all,
Many many thanks for all of your kind words of support, it really does help. At the moment I am trying to put it out of my mind, I’m finding that I am making mistakes at work, as I am not concentrating. Considering that I drive for a living, not having my wits about at all times is rather dangerous. (I’m a white van lady). I will let you know how it goes when I’ve had my appointment. Thank you. x
- Kelly, I’ll be thinking of you too, my appointment on 8/8/07 is at 11.30am.
- Tinkers, poor you. As if you haven’t got enough stress! I wish you well, and feel free to rant, you need to.
jo x
you vent all you want tink, i look forward to hearing your results babe, praying for you, and for sweet rosegarden
i go a week tomorow 10.40
just heard from sister she has had call bk after mamo, she goes 13 sept so i hope she is all clear
love
cee
Hi everyone
May I recommend an excellent book which deals with breast cancer - Dr Susan Love’s “Breast Book”. The day I was diagnosed with bc - invasive ductal and invasive lobular in one breast, someone told me to buy it and it has become my bible. It explains everything including very technical stuff in a very easy to read format, including what to tell children. I know that the hardest thing I found was to pluck up courage to tell both my sons that I had cancer and they’re 35 and 37! I had a bi-lateral mastectomy in March and am just coming to the end of chemotherapy - only 2 more to go! Once you face the fact that you have been diagnosed, accept it and get on with the rest of your life - you could be run over by a bus tomorrow!!!
Good luck and may all your results be negative!
Sharon
Well - my powers of persuation seemed to have worked! I spoke to the nurse this morning and explained that for work I need to know if they would be wanting to see more of me after the 14th! She told said that she had booked the 14th so she could be there and that the MDT think that the chages are due to benign changes in the breast, but that they would like to wire it and take out the distorted area. So that feels good to know and I am relieved that I can now make the plans I need to! So it’s great that there is nothing obviously sinister, but given there is no palpable lump I think I will err on the side of caution and reserve total relief until they’ve checked the whole lot. But feeling so much more relaxed now - thanks for all of your support.
Tinkers
Tinkers, I’m glad you have something a little mmore positive to work with. I’m still right there with you and, of course, with cee, Sharon, Jo & Kelly.
Take care, all of you.
beano x
hi tink,
good to hear that hon, but you are rt to ear on the side of caution, i went to gp today told him of my fears, he says this time they would poss do a core biopsy, darn it this is now coming up to 6 weeks
then i will have to wait on the core, but heck what will be will be, we will deal with all that comes and its so good to have such possitiveness, so i,m so glad to have all your wonderful support
bless you all
cee