I need to rant! I went to the Drs on 11th January with a lump, I was referred for a mammogram on the 24th where I was basically told I had BC. On the 30th this was confirmed (ER+) but needed to wait a further 2 weeks for the HER2 results. I got these on Tuesday 13th (HER2-ve) but was then told I needed an MRI which would be another 2-3 weeks I’m so frustrated, surely the decision of an MRI could have been made after the mammogram was reviewed? Am I being unreasonable? I’m 41, with a 3 year old daughter, I’m scared, terrified would be more accurate, emotional, and so anxious about how this is going to effect our lives, as I’m sure everyone is at this stage. Im also concerned the fact i need an MRI means there may be signs of more tumors or spreading.
Argh! I just want things to get moving!
Not sure what response I’m expecting but if anyone has any advice I’d really love to hear it. Xxx
So sorry that you are in this position . We have all been here - in limbo , waiting not quite understanding what is going on , thinking the worst and it is horrendously stressful . Although we are scared of the treatment we are more worried about what is happening whilst we are waiting for it and some of us think it is the worst of part of the whole process. When you do get a plan of treatment it will get a little better - you will have a measure of control back and something to work towards .
MRIs are not done on everybody though they are more common in the under 50 age group who tend to have denser breasts which means that it’s more difficult to properly view everything on mammogram . This is also why routine mammograms are not done on younger women. They may need the MRI to confirm that they have seen the whole of the lump. Your cancer is ER + but did they say what kind it is ? My friend and I both had ER + tumours but mine was tubular and I didn’t have an MRI - even I could see it on my films at second screening even though it was very small it was a very clearly defined lump but it’s not always the case. My friend’s was lobular which grows in a slightly different way and doesn’t show as well on mammograms . It was also near her chest wall so they needed to check whether any other structures might be affected or extra interventions being required during surgery to protect that area ( she’s fine by the way ) . It’s best to get all the information that is required before starting treatment. It’s standard for patients films / scans / results to be viewed and discussed at a Multi Disciplinary Team meeting ( MDT) which are normally held once or twice a week so that several Drs. and specialists can decide what is required next - so they may have had the results and been waiting to discuss them before seeing you again. It may be that they had already ordered the MRI before seeing you but not yet had confirmation of the date and time.
It’s natural to panic and worry about the wait but the vast majority of breast cancers are very slow growing and waiting a bit longer for another test and results won’t make a difference . There have been many similar threads on here regarding the wait for a plan - you’re correct pretty much everyone feels the same .
I’m sorry I can’t offer any advice as to how to manage this with small children as I don’t have any but hopefully someone with kids will reply.
Hi Tori,
I just wanted to say that you are not alone in how you are feeling about it all. The waiting is so hard… Pease do try not to worry. It is good that you have an MRI lined up as it will be best to know as much as possible before any treatment plan is put in place.
I am waiting for my second lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy which will happen on Tuesday - the day before my 47th birthday. Well, that’s one way of getting the day off work!!! I just received the follow up appointment details this evening and it won’t be until a whole month after the surgery (last time - 6 months ago - it was under 2.5 weeks). So I will have to wait a week to find out whether there is any sign of lymph node involvement, and I’m just praying there won’t be.
There are many supportive people on here and possibly others with a very similar situation to yours.
Stay strong and positive.
Best wishes
Hi @tori123. Again, I’m sorry that youve found yourself here. I’m finding the waiting so hard too. I was diagnosed on 3rd Dec, then biopsy results on 18th, surgery on 23rd Jan and now still another 3 weeks till I get the results. Despite all the hideous waiting, I have found that using the time as positively as I can is helping. I worked until my operation and I’ve been off since. Ive enjoyed being with the kids more, and doing things around home and catching up with friends. It has still been a difficult wait. Try not to worry too much. Lots of people get an mri - some hospital trusts do them routinely. I didn’t get one and as a result I’ve worried about the cancer being in other places. Everyone advised me that once you know what you’re dealing with and treatment plan is in place, it is easier to deal with. They were right. You will soon have lots of info about your cancer from the scans, tests and biopsies and a treatment plan. Good luck with the wait. You’ll see I’m always posting on the forum about waiting for my results. In fact, we all understad how you’re feeling on here. X
Thank you for responding. I think mostly I needed to get it off my chest to people who know how it feels and can say if the timeline is reasonable! I’m usually so logical but emotion is definitely winning at the moment.
@JoanneN they haven’t told me what type i have, in fact compared to what sone people say on this forum i think I know very little detail. My MDT meet every Tuesday and they didn’t preorder the MRI unfortunately they only requested it this week. You didn’t mention where you are a long the path but i hope your treatment/recovery is going well.
@mir-ie good luck for Tuesday, fingers crossed for you and your results. I hope you manage to enjoy some of your birthday!
@bluesatsuma thanks for the advice as well, I’m also working which does help. Your wait seems so long for results i hadnt even thought about the wait after surgery!
I hope you’re healing well and results come in quickly.
@tori123 I think a lot of people wait less than me. Birmingham has huge waiting times compared to other aeas. But I have healed very well and scars are impressively neat! But yes it does suck! Hope you get on the treatment route soon. You will feel better once things are moving x
I’m a way down the line and looking at it all with the benefit of hindsight - I was also an emotional wreck and worried about telling family . I’m also a health care professional - I had some knowledge of BC though not a great deal but I asked so many questions when I was diagnosed to the extent that the BCN was saying oh you don’t need to know about that now . But because of that I think , she posted out to me a huge pile of information which I read cover to cover . If you write down any questions you have then maybe you could approach your BCN to try to get more information . People don’t always take things in properly at appointments so they are used to going through it again . If you aren’t sure what to ask or need some more support then if you ring the helpline the Nurses here will be able to give you some guidance xx
I was diagnosed in October 22 I was 35 just had a baby I had triple negative and lymph nodes I did 8 cycle every 3 weeks I had CT scans MRI scans I think sumtimes they just do them before treatment to make sure it hasn’t spread ita so scary and worrying and the waiting is horrible. I did chemo then surgery then radiotherapy all my treatments are finished I need yearly checks mamagram untill I’m 50 but they found no cancer in breast or lymph nodes when surgery was done. I have 7 children. Chemo made me tired drained but I wasn’t poorly with it thank God but obviously everyone is different. And you will loose your hair my hair is growing bk now and tbh I love my hair short now it’s curly.
Wow @Kanapka87 you look amazing! Thank you for sharing. Now I’ve calmed down a bit I am glad they’re doing an mri and i would rather have as much information as possible before surgery. I had just got psyched up for a treatment plan and was disappointed to have to wait again.
Xxx
If u need to ask anything please message me it’s horrible waiting but soon as the ball is rolling it all moves pretty fast. Tbh u don’t have time to sit and think about things xx
I am in same position found lump 9.1.24 mammogram on 24.1.24 then went back for results and told I need mri of breast so had that now awaiting another appointment the waiting seems like forever. I am 40 with 14 and 3 year olds just want the plan
@k.m sorry you find yourself here. I hope you get those results soon. Once the results are ready things will get moving but the waiting is so hard. It’s good to keep busy, but my diagnosis is all I’m really thinking about. Good luck with those results. We are all here if you need us. X
Hi @k.m sorry to hear you’re in the same position. I’ve only just had my MRI appointment through which is on the 29th, apparently it was scheduled for the 11th March but they were able to pull it forward a little which I’m glad about. I even tried to go private but the Nuffield haven’t even got back to me!
Do you mind me asking what you know so far?
Xxx
Thanks I have part of the diagnosis grade 3 invasive ductal breast cancer with high dcis and hormone negative so just waiting for mri results and the her2 result it’s all a mind field to me I am due back tomorrow just want the plan and to start treatment or surgery whatever needed asap
I know, I wish there was some official direction for this stage, even if was eat better and move more! Just something that made me feel like I was doing something beneficial not just waiting.
Sending love & luck for tomorrow, I hope you get answers and a plan xxx
@k.m and @tori123 I hope your mri appointments go well and you get the results swiftly. I wish I’d have had an mri or scan but it wasnt suggested. You should have treatment plans soon enough now x
I’m so frustrated, surely the decision of an MRI could have been made after the mammogram was reviewed? Am I being unreasonable? I’m 41, with a 3 year old daughter, I’m scared, terrified would be more accurate, emotional, and so anxious about how this is going to effect our lives, as I’m sure everyone is at this stage. Im also concerned the fact i need an MRI means there may be signs of more tumors or spreading.