Waiting.......

Morning all.
I was given my diagnosis about a month ago. Have had MRI, lymph nodes microbubble test and further ultrasounds

I’ve got my results appointment next Wednesday and am wondering how long it will be till my op?
Obviously every health authority is different and my tumor is tiny and low grade do I’m assuming I’ll have to wait a fair while?
My first routine mammogram picked up a 5/7mm tumor with another site of abnormal cells nearby.
They have said it’s Idc but not sure about second site .
I will need a lumpectomy and follow up rads. They did the MRI I assume to check there wasn’t anything else
I know I just need to wait till Wednesday…but it seems awfully long time till then.
Hope all you ladies who have had or are currently going through treatment are doing ok. God this waiting is awful, isn’t it?

Hi Nikkit, 

 

Op happens quite soon regardless of size and type, I had a grade 1, 4mm and had mine Two weeks after diagnosis. It does vary obviously but most have it done within a few weeks. 

 

The waiting at this stage does seeem to go on for ever but things do move quicker once you have the full picture, all the best for Wednesday Xx Jo 

Hi Nikki,

 

the waiting is definitely the worse bit!! My low grade tumour was 30mm, diagnosed the Tuesday after the second May Bank Hol (so…28 May or something?). Op exactly 1 month later on June 28th and I started rads this Tuesday 14 August, which is there or about the standard 6-8 weeks post op. for lumpectomy at my hospital. To be fair 6 weeks post op is perfect for me: I’m fit and healing well, plus they’re getting me done and dusted before my September holiday. 

The waiting, post op isn’t fun either and is definitely worse than the op itself ? but you will get through it x

Personally I was back to work Monday after op, driving too. So…four days off counting op day! I’ve been fortunate to be able to do that but was also determined not to let this get me down or rule my life. 

Nikkit The waiting is the pits isnt it. Talk about raising anxiety. Have you asked your breast care nurses for a rough estimation as to when your op might be? I am sure they would help. I was diagnosed on Wed and now have to wait 3 weeks for the actual plan and to have Ct and Mri. Here if you need to scream or shout or just need someone to listen to.

Thanks Ladies.
I will ask on Wednesday for expected wait times ,I don’t really want to disturb the BC nurses they always seem so busy. In fairness each stage they’ve said about two weeks and it has been. I dont know if you’ll all agree but for me it’s more about getting on with it than the actual results…I’ve got breast cancer.,lets just get on with business now I’ve given the Tumor his eviction notice , I just need to get him out now .
Ah well just have to wait a few days more then ,hopefully , I will have some dates which will make the control freak in me much more settled. I do like to plan ?

Hi Nikkit 

Hi Nikkit - we seem to be on the time scale. My first visit to the doctor with my concerns was Friday 13th July (with hindsight wish I’d waited until the Monday ? ). Then 2 weeks later appointment at the breast clinic on 27th July - loads of different mammograms, ultra sound and the dreaded biopsies. Then back for the results of biopsies on 8th August - informed 2 lumps - 1 deffo cancer and can’t remember what was said about 2nd lump (pre cancerous?). Have no idea which cancer I have - sure I was told but think my mind and whole being had switched off at this time - my husband was with me but I think he was probably in more shock than me - so don’t think he took much in either. I know words like ‘early’ and ‘treatable’ were said and I think I just clung onto that. However, consultant ‘concerned’ that physical exam did not seem same as what shown up on Ultra sound so wanted MRI to show full extent of what we’re dealing with.

She asked had I always had one breast smaller than the other - I said ‘no’ - didn’t even realise that was the case now - is that something to worry about does anyone know - a ‘shrinking’ breast?

Had MRI on Tuesday and will get my results, like you Nikkit, on Wednesday afternoon.

Soooooo stressful.

Keep in touch.

Love

Helen

xxx

Hi Nikkit,

All my timescales seemed to be either 2 or 3 weeks. I was diagnosed on the 13th April with IDC Grade 2 15mm and had my op on the 3rd May.
Those 3 weeks of walking around knowing what was inside me, literally did my head in!!!
Rads then started 6 weeks after surgery. Physically I’ve been healthy through it all but its the head stuff i need to sort out.
Didn’t bother working during rads. Decided i wanted some me time so spent it doing yoga, going for walks, lunch with friends and basically just chilling. Thank goodness its been a lovely hot summer so I could get out and about!
Thats the key really, keep busy and make happy plans as that makes the waiting easier.
Good luck xxxx

Hi there, I’m in the middle of the waiting game. I understand it’s important for them to get the full picture before starting treatment. I’ve been told because my lump is in the lower half of my breast they’ll probably start with chemo before my lumpectomy. Next week I’m getting a biopsy on the other side in investigate calcification and a ct scan. Part of me understands they need the full picture and part of me wants to scream and cut it out myself. I trust the team though waiting for the full picture is frustrating.

Hi,
I have been told I have bc, not been told which grade/stage etc just that I will need chemo and a mastectomy. Found a golf ball sized lump directly behind my left nipple though my nipple looked fine. I recently had a ct scan and an due to see my surgeon and oncologist on the 28th. I wholeheartedly agree this waiting is awful, cannot concentrate at all! Put the oven glove in the fridge the other day. Put salt in my coffee instead of on my dinner!! Head is just worrying about bc?
I have noticed in the past couple of days I have been getting pain in my breast and my nipple has changed considerably and is leaking. Is this to be expected or should I be letting someone know.
Due to go on holiday for a few days and this is worrying me.
Can anyone give any advice please?

Hi Mama Tony,
It probably would be an idea to speak to your bcn, or give the helpline here a ring. It’s probably not going to make any difference, but best to check it out, if you’re worried.
ann x

The worry is awful and I know exactly how you feel because I’m in the same boat. I spoke to my bc nurse on Friday for about 40 minutes. She was great, she said nothing much will change with the cancer in a couple of weeks . I also spoke to a close friend who had a grade 3 cancer 7 years ago and she said this is the worst time but when they have the full picture treatment starts pretty quick. I’m spending this time trying to get up to date with paperwork and tasks so I can concentrate getting well. I love walking and yoga and I’m trying to do as much as I can.

Mamatony,

Are you like me and getting chemo first?

Thanks Ladies. I really wish there wasn’t anyone else in my boat. But kinda glad the is too. If that makes sense. If I haven’t discovered anything else this past 6 weeks it’s that there is real solace in this forum.
Now I’m not sure I should be thinking this or not. I had a follow up ultrasound after my MRI . The radiotherapist said there wasn’t anything sijister in my good boob which is great. He took biopsies from my sentinel node as planned but didn’t take any further biopsies from my naughty go on. I am presuming (hopefully not wrongly) that this means nothing else came up on the MRI.
Is this just wishful thinking?
Oh I wish I could jump in a time machine and forward fast to Wednesday . I just want to know what they know. It doesn’t seem fair that the doctors know exactly what’s going on and we are sitting basically in limbo land not having any definite answers.
Sorry ladies I feel awful moaning I know I am incredibly lucky as Bill and Ben were picked up very early through a routine mammogram and they are so small it could have been a long while before I found them. I know that are many ladies out there in a far worse place than me. Just feeling a bit sorry for myself today I suppose. That’s what not sleeping does for your mind!!!
Mind you it’s giving my family and friends plenty to laugh about.
I told my vegetarian friend the other day she could everything except for the meat when she came for dinner on Friday night? My mind is complete mush at the moment.
Hope all you ladies out there are doing ok xx

I hope you get your diagnosis tomorrow. I’ll still be waiting a couple of weeks. Got a second biopsy with a mammogram today on the other side. Surgeon doesn’t think it sinister though. Ct on Thursday.

Waiting really does suck… decided to phone the oncology department today as it’s been three weeks since surgery and I haven’t heard anything about my treatment plan yet. Turns out my breast surgeon sent a referral to oncology last week, but the oncologist I’ve been assigned to has been on leave and hasn’t started looking through/assigned appointments to new referrals yet :smileyfrustrated:

 

The wait continues! (as does the cake consumption) :smileylol:

 

Caroline xx

Thanks Ladies I agree waiting is the pits. I think it’s going to be a long night.xc

MarieBc
Thank you . Ok have no idea what the wait time for the op will be

I had my first biopsy on 6th July. Diagnoded 18th July had MRI and Microbubble test for lymph nodes and get results tomorrow ( today actually)
I really hope to get far more information on this appointment.
I’m in west kent

It really does seem to vary but the norm is to have your op within around 30 days of diagnosis I believe, Mine was 14 days after. In Somerset we have the Beacon centre at Musgrove hospital and the treatment was spot on, I could have gone Private through my works policy but I would have had to have waited a further week for my op as the surgeon was on holiday so opted for the NHS. 

 

The waiting is so hard but really makes no difference to the outcome, it’s the mental side of it that is so brutal and that could really be helped by cutting down on the waiting I agree! Xx Jo 

Hey ladies well after 4 1/2 hours two ultrasounds two mammograms a a diappearing and rwappearing marker clip!!! Good news lymph nodes clear. Vacuum biopsy next week. Then main op after tgat still no dates but hey im used to that !!
Feeling more settled and optimistic for the first time since the end of June…talk about a rollercoaster of emotions.
Hope everyone else has good results and is feeling well today xx