How can I get through these next 10 days waiting for results?

[Guest user]

As everyone has already said, the waiting truely has been the worst part of it all for me.
Once I knew what I was facing I felt in control and able to cope with it all.
I had a WLE and SNB on August 28th and have just started Radiotherapy, second one today, and have been taking hormone for the last six weeks. I am still off work, was starting to feel well enough to return when the Radiotherapy started so given the possible tiredness side effect my GP and I decided that I should have the Radiotherapy time off too.
Hopefully you will have a good result on Wednesday, let us know how you get on.
Take Care and if there is anything I can help you with then please send me a message.
Karen

[Janet_BCC]

Dear Caroline60

As people have said on this thread, the waiting is the worst. I am so sorry you find yourself in this position.

You could give our Helpline a call just to talk things over and for information and support. They are open from 9-5 on weekdays and 10-2 on Saturdays. The number is 0808 800 6000

Take care

Very best wishes

Janet

BCC Moderator

[Caroline60]

Hi all, I have just had a double bioposy. That was fine - its the waiting that is effecting me. I am so frightened. I have thought so much about my childen and what might happen. I cant seem to shake this off. My biopsy results are due next wednesday.

[Mapie]

now posted same thing three times is it me or this machine or the system? I am going to have a sleep catch you all later Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Mapie]

have just looked at this again and saw the date my excuse is tiredness as I am just home after my MRI which I took a diazapam to get through due to being claustrophobic think I need to have a sleep.

[Mapie]

Rachel I have just come through the initial yes no stage and it is really difficuult to keep going.My mum has also had health problems so I did not want to worry her by thinking I was not coping. If there is someone you can trust and feel comfortable with then telll them as that gives you support and someone you can be honest with and not be afraid to talk about your fears as you will have them. I found that textingp people helped to let them know as I did not have to face them it made it easier to say it to them also keeping myself busy with things in the house helped as I am self employed so did not have the routine of going to work. It is not easy and is really emotional and stressful. I hope all goes well for you another thing you can do is look on here and see if there is a support group near you as this would help as all who are there have been in this position so know the feelings and emotions it can evoke in you.

[Guest user]

Thank you so much for your prompt reply to my posting.... I must admit Im not the most patient person going.. Im kind of the organised type and this has totally threw me out the window!!.. Im lucky that I have a huge support network of family and friends who are keeping me going... Ive had a few "moments" where Ibe been a bit tearful and the husband knows just when to give one of his bear hugs... Im just wishing that this week would go fast so I get the phone call and prepare myself for whatever comes next.. thanks again for replying.. makes me feel so much better :-))))

[Guest user]

Hi Sandra,

Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care Discussion Forums. I'm sure you'll get lots of support from other forum users but if it would help to talk to someone in confidence please do give the BCC Helpline a call, it reopens tomorrow at 9am tel 0808 800 6000.

With best wishes,

Anna, BCC Facilitator

[smc78]

Hi Sandra i'm sorry you have found yourself on this site but you will get some good information, advice and support here so have a good look around and read as much as you can to help you understand what is happeneing. In my opinion and experience its probably best that they are being honest with you as at least you have some time to prepare yourself for the worst and i'm not saying it is bad news at all, I hope to god it is good news for you. There is always hope but trust me when i had an ultrasound and core biopsy i was told it was just tissue damage and was totally unprepared for the news that i actually had cancer. I wouldnt want anybody else to go through that alone like i had to. The only advice i can offer while you wait for the results is to try to keep busy. It will help take your mind off things for a short while and help you get through the days. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.
Sian x

[Guest user]

I have just joined this site this evening as last Thursday due to an urgent referral from my GP I was sent for a Mammogram...when I got there I didnt realse that I would be having an ultrasound and core biopsy done as well.. until then I thought I was coping very well until after 20 minutes I was still lying on the table.. the radiologist found the lump in question .. then she also found a mass in which she wanted to do an urgent biopsy!!... I thought oookkk.. next step was the consultant for core biopsy but before that I was called back in to the senior sister who had examined me at the beginning.. she started off by asking how I was feeling and did I have any questions.. I was numb at this point but what she said afterwards made me breathe a little deeper.. she had her hand over my mammogram results and said to me " They are quite worried about you Sandra" I presumed she meant the radiologist etc... so what do I start doing.. mind working overtime... apparently I will be getting a call from the breast cancer nurse in the week with the findings of the core biopsy.. if that doesnt show anything Im to have a double biopsy on the lump again and the mass that they have found... I am trying so hard to keep positive thoughts but I wish to God the sister hadnt told me anything!!

[applestreet]

Hi
SSR..sorry for short version but I can't type all that..4 weeks is a long time to wait... MH as well... the waiting room is the worst place in the world but I was there this time last year and I can only say hang on in there ladies.. try to keep busy... once you get the results you will get a plan and then at least you know where you are in your journey. I was a mess but found lots of practical advice and support from all the ladies on here.. it's rubbish waiting to ask your onc questions..especially when you can't sleep because of the stress.. I mentioned my lack of sleep to my GP and he gave me something so maybe this is something for you to consider. Once you get the results and the treatment starts you will settle down. There is a helpline for you to talk to someone...they are very good... I kept phoning and crying..they were very patient with me...Now for the hair thing...I was devastated....chemo was mentioned and that was me on the floor wailling... I had my hair cut in 2 stages... from a bob to a short do and then once chemo had started I had it shaved by my hairdresser to a crew cut... I also got a very good wig which looked very similar to my normal hairstyle...it was so good no-one outside my family knew it was a wig.. I live in the NW and the wig was free. Best of luck ladies, keep posting ...don't bottle it up and take one day at a time... if you have one day that is crap remember there's always tomorrow..best wishes M

[Sam_BCC]

Hi Shawshankredemption and Madhelen,

I am sorry to read you're both having such a tough time at the moment. If you are really struggling with the waiting please do remember you can give the BCC helpline a call and talk things through with one of the trained members of staff. Here you can share your concerns and feelings with someone who will offer you a listening ear as well as emotional support and practical information. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9 to 5pm and Saturday 10 to 2pm.

Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator

[Guest user]

Hi Rachael and shawshank I like u am in the waiting room had my biopsy only 5 days ago and was told a bc nurse would let me know the results ... Which I thought was weird was expecting a letter.. But as this is my first mammogram then biopsy I don't know if this is usual... I am finding the waiting hard ..and I feel exactly the same as you off my food tightness in chest ! Being sick am sure it's the stress. Stupid reason but I am expecting to hear it is bad news cos whenever anything is wrong with me my hair goes into startled moose style even a simple cold ... Ever since my breast started hurting three months ago my hair has been totally uncontrolable . I am finding the only thing that's helps for a while is to do something active... I did some weeding yesterday today and tomorrow I am going to paint the garden fence...
Wishing you both the best
Helen xx

[Guest user]

im not sleeping of my food n feeling sick.im still feeling uncomfy n at times bit of pain after biopsi i also ache all accross my shoulders is this normal or is it just the stress i also feel like i cant breath propely finding it hard to get my breath even wen just sittin def think thats cos of the stress i just want to no wat kind i have n wat treatment im gonna need the lump feels quite big n i only have small boobies think i can deal with losing one as long as i can have recon but im more bothered about losing my hair how do u deal with that i no it grows back in time but.... its yr hair x

[chascat]

Hi Shawshankredemption, I can't believe you've got to wait so long either, I got the results from my biopsy within 3 days, I think that's shocking!

[Guest user]

hi i also have a long wait 4 results went to breast clinic y.day(30/8/12) after mama ultrasound n biopsy saw consultant again who told me that it was cancer but have to wait 4 results to c wat road to go down with which treatment y would he say it was if theres any chance that its not so scared now in case its spread just want to no wat im facing n got to wait 2 weeks 4 results n if iv not heard by4 weeks to get in touch like im gonna wait 4 gonna give em 2 weeks at most b4 i fone cant believe they make us wait so long x

[Guest user]

Hi
I am too waiting for my results from a mascectomy and axillary clearance , my consultant has been on holiday it will be 3 weeks this Friday, I have Her2 lobilar with lymph node involvement, I am particullarly worried about chemo, as I have liver disease and chemo is known to be toxic to the liver. Is there anyone else with this problem, as weighing up the pros and cons of the possibility of chemo, its a catch 22 situation to either the cancer or further liver damage, or is there a way round it with other options.
As far as waiting I have lived with this other life threatening illness and what to be will be I cannot change it, to know earlier will not help or change anything, just have to face the facts and deal with it one step at a time.
Helen

[Guest user]

Hi Rachel
Yes, the waiting is the worst. I'm over 4 years from dx but still remember that time and the fears. I knew (deep-down) what the result would be, despite all my friends and family saying 'it will be nothing'.
Just keep busy and don't google - you will scare yourself silly.
Even if it is BC you feel will be fine. BC is very treatable now (even more so than when I was DX 4 years ago). Someone said 'give me a few months of your life for treatment and I will give you the rest of your life to live'.Thst's how it was.
Just keep busy.
xx

[Guest user]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom and support.
Luckily I have a busy summer planned starting this week so I hope it will help, would be devistated if my diagnosis was to ruin it in any way as I'm taking some of the brownies from the unit I run on their first pack holiday and then I'm due to be volunteering at the Olympics and Paralympics down in London.
Decided to tell (in absolute confidence) a few select friends in various parts of my life so I should have some support, and distraction, most of the time. And then there will be people who understand when I'm grinning like a Cheshire cat or sobbing uncontrollably a week on Tuesday.
Rachael

[Guest user]

Hi Rachael,
I can't really add to anything that has already been said other than please try to confide in someone at work or a friend. You will be amazed how much that can help with someone else to confide your fears to. It never ceases to amaze me how my friends and work colleagues support me, it's a HUGE help. Like it's been said before we have all been there and understand your fears so you can always find a friend here too as well as the helpline. And so totally agree with NOT looking at the internet, just stick to the reputable sites. I have myself been really mislead and upset with some of the info out there but made to feel much better when reading peoples advice and experience on here.
Please let us know how you get on
Han xx

[Guest user]

Rachel ,
Can not say any more that other messages.
I was 29 when I got my breast cancer care and that is 17 years ago and I am still here telling the tale ..
The wait is more horrible I can remember . Just chat on here . The support is un question able.
Sending you my a big hug xxx

Love Rosie xx

[Guest user]

Hi Rachael,

The waiting is THE WORST!!! The only advice I can give is to try and keep busy. Do you have any friends you can confide in and ask them to do some things to take your mind off it? I went out or had friends round ALOT when I was waiting for my results - but had to tell people as it was weighing on my mind so heavily that it was all I could think about so I had to be able to talk about it.

Chances are it's nothing sinister - but please be reassured that they are taking it seriously and have done the relevant tests. I was diagnosed last year at the age of 33 and, along with so many young women I've met along the way, was misdiagnosed and dismissed for ages before finally getting diagnosed and starting treatment - and so many of us are angry that we weren't taken seriously at the start and that maybe it wouldn't have spread to lymph nodes etc had they taken us seriously at the start. You've done the right thing getting it checked out, and they've done the right thing by taking it seriously, and if it's nothing, then great, but if it's something, you will have caught it early.

Try and fill your days and evenings with things to take your mind off it. Let us know how you get on. Fingers crossed it is nothing but a horrible scare. We get alot of women who come on the forum absolutely TERRIFIED as they are waiting for results, only to be told that the lump is benign and we are always really relieved and happy to hear that news - so make sure you come back and tell us how you get on.

x

[Historygirl]

Rachael

Sorry that you've had to post here but you've come to the right place for support. The waiting period is truly vile! I had ultrasound, mammogram and biopsies in January of this year and was beside myself while waiting for results (unfortunately I was diagnosed with BC, but many people turn out to have benign conditions). The lovely women on the forum told me that waiting is the worst part, I didn't believe them but of course they were right.

You've had brilliant advice from JCJ, Dotty2 and Lucy. The things I found most helpful were the support here, calling the BCC helpline, going to my sympathetic GP for anti-anxiety medication and, hard as it was, trying to take my mind off the worry even if for only short periods by whatever means I could - one day this even entailed three back-to-back episodes of The Only Way is Essex, so you can tell how loopy the worry made me. I told family and a couple of closes friends and they too were supportive.

I'm now undergoing treatment and, while I have my moments, I don't feel anywhere near as bad as I did back in January waiting for results. I've certainly not felt the need to watch any more TOWIE - that's got to be a good sign.

Oh and I echo the advice about steering clear of Dr Google and the like and just stick to reputable BC websites.

Please keep us posted as to how you get on.

Della x

[Guest user]

Hi,
I think we all know how you feel. Take each day at a time doing something you enjoy, and do talk to your family and friends about how you are feeling.
Don't look at the internet, a lot of whats on there is outdated, stick to BCC, and do ring the helpline - they are so knowledgable.
We have all been there, and I know how hard it is, but whatever the result you will always find support here.
Really do hope your results are good.
Take care
Dotty2 x

[JCJ]

Rachael, so sorry you are having to join us but welcome aboard! You will get lots of support here. Believe me, the first wait is the worst.

I remember going for my follow up mammogram, when the routine one picked up a 'difference' in one of my breasts. I assumed they'd just take more pics and say, "sorry, false alarm, everything's fine". so it was a great shock to have a US scan and needle biopsy - no-one mentioned the 'C' word at this point, but I was introduced to a BC nurse - which should have rung alarm bells, but I just thought they were being supportive, as I was close to tears.

I remember, oh so well, how long that 2 week wait was before I got the biopsy results. I imagined every possible senario from "It's a benign condition, we don't need to do anything" to "You've got x months (sometimes even days! :() to live." and everything in between. Someone advised me to keep busy and not to dwell on what might not even be. That was good advise and I tried to follow it.

I found it helped to tell my family, friends and colleagues because, if it turned out to be BC, I wouldn't have to explain everything from the start, and they'd know why I was upset. Also, if it wasn't BC, I'd have people to celebrate with! As it happened, it was BC, caught early to be sorted with a WLE (lump removed) and Radio Therapy and hormone treatment. I was glad I didn't have to tell everybody at that point, because I was devastated.
HOWEVER, I was told the treatment plan straight away and had something to get on with, so apart from another wait after surgery for further biopsy results, that first wait was the worst part of the whole process.

I hope that helps. Keep noticing and appreciating the things you enjoy. Take time to cry if you need to but don't fret too much (easy to say!) Also, don't be tempted to trawl the internet - or you'll scare yourself half to death - there's some inaccurate and out of date stuff out there! Keep to BCC, Macmillan and Cancer Research websites, and even then don't assume you'll be as badly affected as some are.

Take each step at a time, ask questions, and don't forget to come back on here and let us know how you get on so we can celebrate with you or give you support!
<<Hugs>>

[Lucy_BCC]

Hi Rachael and welcome to the BCC forums

In addition to the peer support you will soon have here, our helpliners are on hand weekdays 9-5 and Sat 10-2 to offer you further support and a listening ear during this worrying time for you. Please feel free to call on 0808 800 6000.

Take care

Lucy BCC

[Guest user]

Two days ago I had an appointment at my local breast clinic for a triple assessment.
My GP previously said that at my age (31) it was likely to be a breast mouse (or fibroadenoma) and the consultant repeated this after my initial examination. Upon having my ultrasound scan the lovely technician who did it said it looked like it could just be gristle in the breast tissue but to confirm it she'd do a needle core biopsy.
So I thought it was going well until I returned to the consultants room when he said from the scan it didn't look like a fibroadenoma as they had thought it would be, and that I should prepare myself as it could be cancer.
Why would he say to prepare myself if he didn't think there was a good chance of it being "the big c"???
Now I have to wait for what seems like an age to find out. I feel sick, lonely and can't stop thinking "what if", only my mum knows and I'm trying to be brave so she doesn't worry as she as had major surgery this year herself. In one way I don't want to tell others until I know for sure as I don't want them to be worrying over nothing, in another way I want to shout to everyone I know but don't know why. I was going to tell a close work friend but couldn't find the words to say it.
Anyway, has anyone got any coping strategies they could share to stop me loosing the plot completely?
Rachael