My left nipple was leaking blood and so my GP referred me to the breast clinic urgently although he said that it wasn’t ringing alarm bells with him.
I went last Monday and had a mammagram and then an ultrasound. There were two doctors doing the US and they were there for about half an hour clearly very interested in one of my mik ducts. It was showing as black on the scan and was abnormal and they were trying to trace it back on the scan but couldn’t. They eventually said that it was abnormal but they didn’t know what it was. They then took some sides of the blood.
One doc then asked when my follow up was and when I said 7th Oct she said that was too long to wait, and I shoud be seen next week and gave me a piece of paper which said I had had a core biopsy, to take to the appointments area to get the app brought forward to next week. I now have an appointment for next Thursday. I know I shouldn’t worry, and I am trying very hard, but I can’t help myself becasue it is always at the back of my mind, and I really don’t know what to expect next week.
The waiting and worrying really is the hardest thing. We’ve all been through it and it doesn’t matter what anyone says you can’t help but worry. Most of the women who post here end up with good news though and there are lots of strightforward things it can be so try to keep that in mind.
The ultrasound tech who did mine (at 7pm in the evening) told me by the look on his face that I had cancer. Then he asked if I had come to the clinic on my own and blew away any doubt I had. He also arranged my follow up appointment for the next day. I couldn’t see the road for crying all the way home in the car and had to pull over 'till I calmed down.
The core biopsy will be very quick and you should get the results straight away. It sounds a bit like a staple gun but it’s quite painless.
In addition to the valuable support you have here please feel free to call our helpline for further support and a listening ear on 0808 800 6000, the line is open Monday to Friday 9-5 and Saturday 9-2.
The waiting for tests and results really is some of the most stressful of the entire breast cancer journey in my experience - at least once you know one way or the other you can gain some sense of ‘control’ again. I wrote about my waiting experience from finding the lump onwards here if you are interested:http://community.macmillan.org.uk/blogs/like\_mother\_like\_daughter/default.aspx
The core biopsy isn’t so bad, it does sound a bit like a staplegun and they may need to take multiple samples with it (first I had took 4, then the next I had took 2). It’s usually done alongside an ultrasound so they can see where to take the sample from. I do hope you don’t have to wait too long for results and that they turn out to be benign.
Oh, I should just mention that whilst I was waiting for results I DID call the BCC helpline and they were really helpful in calming me down so if you need them, do call
Thank you for your support - it just feels good to talk about it. My OH is caring, but is very much of the opinion that nothing is worth discussing until I know anything for certain.
H mMum the waiting is truly awful, the worst part of the BC journey for me too. We can always read things into facial expressions and un wise words can’t we. Once you know for certain you will start to feel you have some control. I knew at my mammo recall as the Radiologist having done biopsies and U/S ran out of the room saying she will have to come back when there is a surgeon here.Do try to plan some nice things to do with family and friends say even just a walk to fill the time and keep you occupied, not easy I know.Wishing you well let us know how you get on sending you loads of hugs Jackie
Well I went along today and it was good news (I THINK).
He said I had thickening in one of my milk ducts and excsma on my breast and they would keep an eye on it and see me again in 3 months.
I didn’t come out very happy though as I didn’t like the consultant at all. He didn’t ask if I wanted a chaperone (I would like to be asked) and I just felt a bit groped - he even held my arm down above my head while he did it. He didn’t explain anything and spent a total of about 2 minutes with me.
I do have health insurance so think I may get my GP to refer me to a cons I saw last year who removed a cyst forme - at least then I will be able to see him in 3 months rather than this other guy. I should be able to feel comfortable with who I see shouldn’t i?
Sorry for making a fuss when so many of you have so much more on your plates than me - just feels better to share.
Went and saw the lovely consultant I had seen before; totally different kettle of fish! He said my milk duct had to come out as the bleeding would only get worse. It was handy that he could see how much it had been bleeding that day because my lovely white bra ws covered on blood.
He has been away on holiday so has a bit of a backlog, so I am having it out on Nov 4th.
