Like many I am in that awful place of waiting for test results. Went for my first mammogram and got recalled. Waited 5 very long days for a follow up appointment hoping that would be the end of it. Then found myself in this complete haze of lump being diagnosed then biopsies taken. I found it all so impersonal and didn’t even know a lump had been found til half way through further tests and a nurse drawing on my breast with a marker pen. Dressings were placed over the biosy sites with the marker pen lines still in situ and even the gel from ultrasound examination under the dressing. I found this so distressing and quite inhumane.
Sorry I am not usually so critical but was struck by the lack of care, lack of a cup of tea having been there 3 hours. Hopefully others have had better experiences. Maybe this is a way of managing the waiting a distraction of rage! Havne’t been able to sleep or eat. Will get the results next Weds afternoon by phone.
I found this site goggling with panic and it is so good to share the anxiety.
Hi so sorry you had a bad experience with your clinic it may have been they were very busy but still not nice, I was lucky that our clinic were very dignified & very nice did their upmost to make you feel comfortable. These are very anxious times … on the good side 9 out of 10 lumps are benign hopefully this will be the case for you, but if not you will be allocated a breast cancer nurse (BCN) when diagnosed.
Don’t Google anything its never up to date & just makes you worry more just post here if you have questions or just need someone to talk to, you can always give the helpline a call with any worries
All the best to you
Mekala
This post code lottery of how good your local clinic is does make me cross. I was lucky to have very considerate handling at mine, although I did have to tell the radiologist that perhaps he should tell me what was so interesting about my lump before discussing it with the student in my earshot.
i hope the news on the phone is that you are one of the 50% that have a negative biopsy.
In the meantime, yes, you are in the waiting room, not a nice place to be.You only realy understand what its like if you have been through it yourself. Its the not knowing that puts you in this huge void, with everything going round in your head. Half of you not believing it can possibly be going to happen to you and the other half worrying about operations and loosing your hair.
Hopefully it will be good news. But whatever the news is once you have got the results and some treatment sorted everything will be better.
I have just had a lumpectomy, and got my radiotherapy appointments laid out in the diary ( no chemo–hurrah) and three days ago I suddenly felt for the first time since i found the lump eight weeks ago that I was back to my old self.
Glad you found this site, if you have any questions, or just need to come on to chat you will find it very useful, everyone remembers what it was like at the begining and are very friendly
Thank you for the very valued connection. Pleased to hear you are feeling a bit more stabilised within yourself. Hope your treatment now set up helps bring a bit of a sense of control back.
To be honest I am more struggling with the impact of how I experienced the clinic and was talking with a counsellor about it today. No-one managed to tell me they had found a lump or why they were taking biopsies. If someone had explained things I think I might have found it less traumatic. I am struggling with the perceived attack on my feminity from the biopsies alone and maybe some sort of explanation however vague might have calmed that a little.
Have been out and bought some lovely new clothes over the past two days to combat the trauma and usually I shop little. I haven’t been able to face work, haven’t felt like eating and feel very shaken.Now as the time draws near to get results I want to push it further away though I have been marking time so to speak and wanting the news sooner. Its all so so confusing isn’t it?
I am amazed, but maybe thats how it just is, that the news gets relayed to me with a phone call. I can’t work out where to be or whether to be with anyone as to be honest my head is so not with me just now.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. I was so relieved there was someone out there who could relate to how I am feeling.
Take good care of yourself and lots of nice treats.
hi, hopefully the news on wednesday will be good. However just on the off chance it is not i would be at home, so that if you do have a shock you dont have to drive afterwards. If there is someone who you would be comfortable having around then I would ask them to be there. It might be an idea after they have given you the results to ask them to repeat them to your friend and then hand them the phone, they can then be your second pair of ears. Also in that time if you think of a question you can take the phone and ask it.
I am surprised that they give results on the phone, but other people on here have recieved them that way.
it is horrid waiting for these results, people have all sorts of different reactions, all very normal. Retail therapy sounds a good one though.
all the very best on wednesday. fingers crossed for you
grr another dublicate post
I would second what oldandlumpy has said and have a friend with you on Wednesday. It is always best for a second pair of ears - sometimes we don’t take in what is being said.
Fingers crossed for you for Wednesday - hope you come back and tell us how you got on. Even if the news isn’t great but especially if it is!
Thanks to all of you. I hardly know you but love you all lots.
I totally agree with that too. Its amazing how little you can absorb when you are feeling scared and anxious. I always take my hubby and sister, parents, or a friend.
Make sure you write down everything you can think of in advance as again your mind can totally go blank when you are nervous.
Good luck hun and keep us posted.
xxxx