Had a routine scan on 1st of February and was called back for an appointment on Friday. Unfortunately the nurse was off sick so I missed out on the normal pep talk where they are supposed to tell you whats going on.
Had another scan then ultrasound and then a biopsy. They kept telling me how small the suspect area is but obviously until I get my results on the 16th and know more of what going on, I can’t help but worry.
The radiologist said that because of its size it is treatable so does this mean they already know what it is?
Feel in a state of shock but am trying to carry on as normal. Haven’t told anyone yet for various reasons as I don’t want them to worry or fussing over me.
When my dad had cancer, he seemed to have to wait ages for appointments so the speed of this is scaring me.
I know it may be nothing to worry about but that doesn’t stop my imagination running riot. Would appreciate chatting with others in the same boat.
Calyco
Hello Calyco,
Thanks for finding this site and posting your thoughts, I hope we can help you.
The speed of these breast clinics is very quick, thats completely usual, so dont let that panic you. I was diagnosed back in November 2010, and I was first seen on 5th, tests on 11th and results on 23rd, and i’ve had no complaints about any of my treatment so far.
The radiologist would never be able to know 100 % your results, just from the scan, it must depend on the biopsy lab report so take a deep breath now, and hang in there. I think my radiologist had an idea of my results, because she asked me what i’d been told already, but i quickly blurted out’ they think its a cyst’ and i didnt look her in the eye because i was too scared of reading something from her expression !
When I went for my results, I was nervous but, like you, was trying to carry on as normal. The waiting was the worst, i couldnt eat or sleep properly, and once I knew what was what, it was a kind of relief, because then I just focussed on the practicality of the next step, and of course, i ran to my GP who gave me some calming pills!
Take care, and have someone go with you on 16th,
Truddles xxx
I had a routine scan on the 2nd December, called back for another mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy on the 12th December. At that appointment they told me they were pretty certain it was cancer, but that it was small. Got the results on the 15th December (unfortunatly they were right).
So a very similar timeframe to yours.
Then I had the lump removed on the 20th December (I could have waited they said there was no rush but I chose to get it over with quickly).
A couple of suggestions for you which if you have read any of the posts here you will probably have seen before:
Please don’t google; there is lots of outdated, wrong and scarey information out there. If you feel the need to get more information do as you have done and ask here.
Try and take someone with you when you get the results. Whether they are what you hope for or not it will help if someone else is there to listen and take notes for you as it can be hard to take everythign in yourself.
Finally remember that most suspicious areas turn out to be nothing. Fingers crossed yours will too, but if not those found after routine mammogram have a very good prognosis and you will find people here happy to help every step of the way.
Let us know how you get on.
Lynda
Calyco
I too am waiting on the results of my core biopsy. I had that on Friday and I have an appointment for the 20th Feb for the results. This sort of puts it into perspective for me, having the appointment to hold onto. After my FNA, I did not have an appointment and last weekend seemed so much worse than this weekend, which I seem to have accepted.
So hold on, you’ve got four days to go. Four lots of 24 hours, 32 of those hours, you will hopefully sleep. I keep eating foods I really like, such as scones and egg and bacon muffins, with butter running down my chin, watching movies and walking the dog, appreciating what’s around me.
Managing your mind to a more positive place is my recommendation and that can be hard to do, but it can be done.
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. You can’t change time… A scanty piece of wisdom from my old Granny, the old ones are the best!
I hope to read when you have been for your results and that it is good news…
Thanks to Sommer43, Lakeslover and Truddles for taking the time to respond. All the best to you. You all gave me something to think about.
I think keeping busy is the best course of action. Went to yoga yesterday and felt much better afterwards.
My computer crashed as I was trying to respond so don’t know if my first attempt was saved or not.
I’m hoping it’s a horrible coincidence but I am almost the same age (bar a couple of months) as when my mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It’s the anniversary of her death next week - 38 years ago - which doesn’t help.
I do Race for Life every year in her memory so whatever happens this year’s will be extra poignant. The invitation to sign up for this year came in the same post as the letter from the hospital.
Going to try a pilates class today as hopefully that will have a calming effect too!
Brooding about it isn’t going to improve the situation so I really appreciate being told it’s not long to wait until Thursday.
Fingers crossed.
Best wishes, Calyco
Hi Calyco
All good mind remedies there, they do help don’t they?
The very best of luck for Thursday, I love how we can follow each other’s stories…
Thanks for your good wishes Sommer43! Got the results and it’s invasive ductal carcinoma. Very small and no sign in the lymph nodes on the scan.
Got to see the surgeon tomorrow to find out when I go under the knife - sometime in the next 4 weeks.
Got the impression from the radiologist that I have been lucky with the timing of my scan as anything much smaller might not show. However to me it looks huge on the scan - not sure of the magnification - and if I had a spot on my face that size I wouldn’t call it small!
Best of luck with your results on Monday. Let me know how you get on. The waiting did get easier as the appointment got nearer.
Sorry to hear that, Caylco but at least you know what youre dealing with, and so so glad they caught it early. I too have IDC but it had spread to lymph gland.
A horrible diagnosis but a relief its so small, so i’m sure you’ll be having conflicting emotions over the next few weeks, we can all support each other on here.
All the best for your op.
xxx
I’m so glad I found this site. You need to contact people who have had similar experiences.
It’s great to feel all the love and support here.
I am sorry Calyco, to hear the news, however, as Truddles states, you know what you’re dealing with!
I have had the results over the phone today, and I feel awful stating this, mine is a fibroadenoma. I am relieved of course, but somehow my gut told me that I didn’t have cancer.
I hope you get the surgery done soon, so that you can move on with your life… I read the stories here and the ladies are so brave. I follow many stories and read such amazing accounts of courage, it makes me feel somewhat of a fraud for bringing my very small issue up here.
I am being listed for a removal and I hope that’s the last of it, but going through the screening, it has taught me many things.
You’re all amazing you ladies, all of you.
Great news, Sommer43. So pleased for you.
Don’t feel bad about it. Just shows how agonising the wait is.
When I was trying to decide what to write at the back of my mind was “I’ll look a right idiot if nothing is wrong”
I have found this site a godsend. It really helped me get through last weekend.
Difficult to tell what will happen at present but if they have caught it early enough I will have a better journey through it all than many people.
Annoying thing is I’m growing my hair and have just got it past the awkward shoulder length stage when I give up with it and get it cut. It will really bug me if the radiotherapy causes it to drop out.
Good luck with your op too.
Take care, Calyco
Oh this place has been a godsend to me too, even though the other half thinks I over do it on here and drive myself insane with worry, but in all honesty, it wasn’t.
You sound upbeat about your news, I can only imagine what the hell what must be going through your mind,…
Best of luck with your operation.
Sommer I’m so pleased for your good news, don’t ever feel ashamed for coming on this site though, us women all need support whatever the lumps and bumps turn out to be. (It sure beats grumbling to OH’s!)
Calyco, radiotherapy wont make you lose your hair, only if you have chemo. I’m not sure how old you are,( i was 38) and if I was told on my diagnosis that I wouldnt need chemo,( I did need it tho) I would have gone along with them and just had rads. But on reflection, looking back now over the last 14 months, and after reading peoples’ experiences on here, I WOULD also opt for the chemo route for added peace of mind, just something to bear in mind if you are given an option.
But dont get your head round all that yet, take each day, and focus on the op for now. 
Best wishes xxx
Hi Calyco
I’m sorry that your news wasn’t what you wanted to hear, but glad that at least it’s small and the lymph nodes are clear - all great signs.
You will find plenty of support here through whatever treatment you are offered.
I had no node involvement but because my lump was large I opted for mastectomy and chose chemotherapy when it was offered. AT 61 i found it easier to let go of my breast than I might have as a younger woman.
No-one will say that this is easy but it’s bearable and it’s the way to get better and then get your life back.
We all wish you the very best on your journey and someone will always be here for you when you need us.
Love and hugs,
Kathleen
Hi Calyco,
Sorry to hear your results were very similar to mine.
I also had IDC, initially they thought it had not spread at all. In the end after sentinal node biospy they found it had spread to the sentinal node, but no further. I had the lump removed, and the auxillary nodes removed. This was done in one operation as day surgery. I had a choice over whether to have chemo, and because my oncologist was able to tell me the prospects of any improvement in chances of recurrence were very small if I did (because of my age, size, grade of tumour, and the fact that it is hormone positive) I decided not to. Then I had to have radiotherapy (which is standard if you just have the lump removed), 15 sessions, of which I now only have 3 to go. The radiotherapy is fine, I have a pink boob a bit like mild sunburn, am tired and lost my appetite, but nothing else. There is no hair loss with rads.
The hardest thing I found was getting my head around the fact that I felt fine, no clue anything was wrong until I had that test. But thank goodness for routine screening.
Sorry of this sounds like it is all about me, but I hope it helps to give you an idea of what might happen next, and I would also say my journey has been much better than I read of some others not diagnosed on a routine test, so I hope that gives you some comfort.
Feel free to ask any questions you want, and I know it sounds wierd but you will feel better in a way once you know what is planned.
Sommer, so pleased for you.
Lynda
Saw my surgeon today. Both he and the nurse were very reassuring so I feel I’m in good hands. Should have the operation on 8th March and once I’ve seen the oncologist a few weeks later should start a course of radiotherapy.
They said that there were no guarantees of success and the treatment will be hard but there is no reason to worry unduly about it it has been caught early and there is every chance treatment will be successful. I’m happy to go with that and worry about other things afterwards. Was interested about your comments about perhaps having chemo too if offered. I have wondered if I will ever have peace of mind again so it maybe worth considering.
It’s great to hear about other people’s experiences. I can’t fault the staff I have seen as they have explained everything well but they are just giving you the theory.
How it affects your mind is just as important than the technicalities of the procedures. It also helps to share your experience with someone you know will understand. Someone who is going through the same thing.
Haven’t had long hair since I was 19 and now I’m 53 I thought I’d have one last go at trying to grow it so glad to hear my hair won’t fall out. Forgot to ask that question this morning.
My Dad had radiotherapy for a brain tumour and he lost his hair. That surprised me as I thought that it was only chemo that caused hair loss. Maybe it was just because of where he had his treatment.
Many thanks to everyone for commenting,
Calyco
Hi Calyco,
I think you have approached this with dignity and calm, even though you must be in turmoil…