Lined up my phones, waiting for the call for first appointment

[StephanieL]

Hi Jan, I have been thinking of you, maybe call again tomorrow? take care, hope you are sleeping ok (ish) xxxx

[Taglagoon1]

Hhhmmmm makes you wonder June , I'm considering coming off mine, I'm sure I'm repeating myself here (earlier post poss) I've been on it 4 years after full hyst , I'm 45 now , when I first started it they messed around with the dose and I was at one point on 80mg 😳 massive dose I got huge full sore boobs I'm already a 28FF (I'm tiny , 4'10 size 6) but they grew !! I couldn't stand the pain , after googling it was too much estrogen .. I asked the doc if I could lower the dose as I wasn't happy , they said keep trying they will settle down !! I gave it 3 months then changed. I've been happy with what I've been on , no symptoms . But now with this looming over me I'm rethinking ..

Steph I rang on Thursday they said they didn't have any results on the screen to discuss .. On Tuesdays it's a full 2 weeks surely It can't be any longer , my expectations were a week as stated by the nurse .. But maybe 2 is the norm xx

[catchpole]

Hi, I wqs on HRT from 41 as i had early menopause till 67 when my breast cancer was diagnosed, I stayed on it so long, cause my mum suffered from Osteoporosis really badly, she basically crumbled away,  and as ive tiny bones anyway, bein g very petite, i wanted to avoid what she had, also i felt great on HRT, Even after my hysterectomy for fibroids I stayed on it,  Then breast cancer, my oncologists think that was why i got, he told my friend who was with me and is now going through menopause, NEVER to touch it.Luckily my cancer was caught early, lymth nodes clear and i havnt got to have chemo, but guess i stopped osteoporosis and got cancer, so what can i say. I miss HRT i think i felt much better on it, but apart from being childless, ive little other cancer risks so guess it was that and must accept cant take it again Maybe more intensive reseach is needed into the link.  june

[StephanieL]

Sorry to hear that x I know how you feel, I started my first post here with three phones lined up waiting (but dreading the call). Have you called them? Wishing you love and strength xx

[Taglagoon1]

I'm still waiting to hear , day 8 !!! I get a wash of panic over me every time the phone rings . Xx

[StephanieL]

Hi Jan

I have been thinking of you, how are you doing xx

[catchpole]

Thank you Stephanie, I certainly will go again,  I only went as my friend kept on at me, she said Haleulluh its a miriclelol.,  im not good at listening to advice.lol.Its only a monthly walk they have hut it seemed a mncie friendly group,some pf these walks are so intense,. like a assault  course , not for me.  Thanks for your good wishes,.June 

[StephanieL]

Hi June

Thankyou, I do feel relieved.

I was really happy to see you went out to your group, this weather is good for getting out on a walk, do you think you will go again? Good luck with your treatment, wishing you a speedy recovery xxxxxx

[catchpole]

Great news Stephanie so pleased for you. so many of us on here all with our different journeys. The waiting is the worst, and pleased you have no more,  I feel relieved myself ive only rads to concern myself with, i feel well and life is going on normally.  Lets hope all of us come out of this well, noone wants cancer but it seems breast is the one easiest to treat and with a lot more hope than many, that is comforting,. Hope you continue with your good health.june

[catchpole]

I do agree there Fuffs, since ,my enforced retirement ive been drifting thinking yes something will turn up, well yes it did Cancer, and thst made me think,. My dad who im very like didnt have a days illn ess until over 90. he died at 98 so i guess ive always had a false sense of o im so like my dad, ive years yet., But C brings you up sharp,an d makes you think life isnt indefinite, and you have to do something yourself. Got myselt out today to a new local group called the sunday Assembly No its  not religious, thats what i thoughtt actually they call it a church for Athiests lol, its a worldwide oirganisation  have grouos all over  My friend i dog sit forknew about it cause a woman she went to dog agility with  goes, she shamed me into going telling me i must do something,  I went and im glad i did,met lots people some brought dogs, it was a relaxed walk and we ended up at a cafe in city for coffee. So i feel ive made a start. june

[StephanieL]

Not long to go now xxx let us know how you get on x I planned the dentist, all kinds of things on the Friday before just to fill the day up, I know how you feel, take care xxx

[Taglagoon1]

They said a week so I'm hoping tues/wed I've requested a call rather than a letter couldn't stand any more delays .. The sooner I know the sooner I know what I'm dealing with xx Jan

[StephanieL]

Hi Jan

Good luck, hope your results are ok, I understand the feeling, today is my first full day of not having the knot in my stomach xxx try to rest, when do you get your results? I will be thinking of you xxx

[Taglagoon1]

Hi Stephanie .. Reading your results is reassuring .. I went for my first breast check last Tuesday .. I've been on HRT for 4 years after a full hyst I was 40 & strong link to ovarian cancer and I'd been having issues so decided to eliminate it !! . I requested the check based on many friends being diagnosed and my years on HRT .
I was completely stunned when I left the clinic 4 hrs later having had 2 mamos , ultrasound and 2 left breast biopsys and axillary lymph node .. I'm waiting on a call back with results .. waiting is driving me mad . I've convinced myself it's bad news but reading your outcome has given me a glimmer of hope . I didn't think I'd had any breast changes as can't feel the lumps but when I think about it my left breast has been itchy and sore for some months , I've large boobies so quiet used to them feeling full and sore .. I'm also wondering of HRT is the cause of this .. Take care ladies xx Jan

[StephanieL]

Hi Kitt

Thanks, I will, I am tired and still emotional! Thanks for everything xxxx

[Kittkatt]

Oh Stephanie, phew!! That's fantastic news! You'll sleep tonight for sure😊
Hope you're celebrating this evening.
Kitt
Xx

[StephanieL]

Hi everyone,

Thankyou for your kind words, wisdom and understanding, I have sought late night reassurance and answers to so many unanswered questions on this forum, whilst I waited for my tests.

I went to the hospital today, with two lumps and a new lump the size of a pea in my arm pit that came in the week I was waiting (bad timing), enough to put me off peas for life! Anyway, I have cysts and there are actually 6, 5 in my boob I thought I had three lumps in and one in the boob I thought I had nothing wrong with. No treatment, apparently they come as quickly and go as quickly, I shouldn't worry (I will).

I have never felt so sacred or concerned in my whole life and if anyone else reads this in that waiting period, I want to echo Kitt's message to me you are tougher than you think! Today there were 10 women in the hospital, all of which were cysts or 'gland' issues, none were cancer, when the tests completed and the results came out, I did get my results on the same day too (I went to Newcross Hospital). I know it's not the same for everyone, but if those thoughts help you get some sleep then focus on that.

To everyone else I leave to fight this fight, good luck, stay strong and above all else know that you are incredible peope, wishing you amazing recoveries, and lots of love, Stephanie xxx

[Kittkatt]

Hi Stephanie,
You're tougher than you think at the moment, lovely!
What time is your appointment tomorrow? We'll all be sending you positive vibes!
Hugs,
Kitt
X

[StephanieL]

Hi, all wobbly, and emotional, this time tomorrow it will be old news.... Just got to get through tonight.

Thankyou, I think you are strong and inspirational, You have helped me be prepared for tomorrow.

Will update you tomorrow, thankyou xxxxx

[Fuffs123]

Hi June. Good for you. You have a lifetime of experience to offer. I actually started my own business at 60 but took a big gamble to do it, selling my house to fund it. Mad person! I iIt's been very hard and many times I wanted to give up but I'm still going. When I was first diagnosed I lost all interest in it and nearly lost it. Went through a bad time emotionally and seriously contemplated just walking away from it and my OH. However, going thro treatment has somehow given me a new desire to fight on and the old cliche, good things can come out of bad, is true perhaps. Keep going. X Francine

[catchpole]

Hi Stephanie, Gosh strong and inspirational ,me, definitely not. Having cancer has made me realise im missi g doing things in my life . Since i retired which i never wanted to do,but i worked for a company very unsympathetic to over 60s, ivd been drifting hoping something will turn up well nothing will will it,  I have to do it , ive applied for jobs but gave up as i got nowhere always felt my age was against me, Once my treatment is over,i goin g to again, i want to go back to havin g trips and things io used to do,went on holiday on my own, always, I do sit my friends dog, love the dog, but its a bit isolating as dont see anyone, really miss the camardarie of work as well as money, when on own so much you have too much time to thinkand after cancer do you want to think too much.

How are you doing now Stephanie,  let us know.

June

[StephanieL]

Hi Fuffs

It sure is c***!

Thankyou and will do xxxxxx

[Fuffs123]

Hi Stephanie

It's c****isn't it. Still, all we can do is be there for each other and have a good snivel when we can! I can't imagine that anyone gets through all this stuff without one. It must be so much harder for you with a little one to look after as well. My husband of 40 yrs seemed to take it in his stride but only told me recently that he was terrified most of the time, so your OH may not feel as laid back as you think. Be thinking of you tomorrow. Please let me know how you get on, when or if you feel up to it xx

[StephanieL]

Hi Fuffs123

I am having a tearful morning, lying in bed reading too much on the Internet. I kept thinking my lumps would go and they are still here, so I have to face tomorrow.... Stupid really but I did think they would go as quick as they came!

My husband is very laid back, yet I know he isn't sleeping and is getting a bit emotional too, so it's all a bit much really. I woke up with a new pucker on my nipple area today, but this has now gone as nipple changed to being warm... Weird. Was your pucker always there?
thanks for your message, I am sorry for your diagnosis, I have never seen so many strong awesome women, selflessly answering the queries of strangers, thankyou xxxxxx

[Fuffs123]

Hi Stephanie
Just saying hallo and sending you best wishes for tomorrow. I noticed the tiniest pucker in my breast just before Xmas and thought it was a stretch mark, not really concerned. Went to my GP after Xmas who referred me to the Breast Clinic. Pretty well knew when they decided to do a biopsy there that it was probably iffy. My results took 2 weeks, you're very lucky to get them same day, which is great. Turned out to be Grade 3 invasive but no nodes involved. It's been a much more emotional time than I ever expected. I thought I'd just get on and cope with it but the reality was very different. However, you're feeling, scared, worried for your family, why me, perhaps and above all very shocked is how we've all felt at some time. I had some spectacular meltdowns, one in the local supermarket!! However, it is amazing just how much strength you will find within yourself to get through things. Of course, i'm hoping your results are good, not everyone gets bad news, but if they aren't what you hoped for, you'll get through it. This forum has been a lifeline for me, so keep posting. Sending you hugs and will be thinking of you on Saturday. Xx

[StephanieL]

Hi June

That sounds lovely, a bottle of wine and a chat with a good friend can make everything better, I had been hiding from mine until a couple of days ago as I knew she would know something was wrong and I didn't want to talk about it.

I then text her (coward that I am), asked her to watch my little girl on Saturday and when she asked where I was off to, I text the whole thing, she made me feel lots better and with the exception of my husband she is the only one who knows. I know she will not tell anyone, the friendship we have is 20 years (I am 43).

The story that you shared is very sad and I am sorry for your losses, you sound like a very strong inspirational person, it's strange that these life experiences have bought us together in this way! Strangers on a forum sharing life stories, things happen in strange ways sometimes dont they?

Thankyou xx

[catchpole]

Thank you Stephanie, I live on my own no kids partner or siblings, parents dead  had several meltdowns believe me, my friends were good,i never went to an appoinment alone, but living on own, and friends with partners and families you spend lots of time on own and think too much.  Apart from a hysterectomy 7 years ago, for fibroids , womb and ovaries gone, so glad now one less place for C to lurk.ive never been ill, for a 67 year old woman im in good shape, never felt my age, now off HRT which probably caused mine to prevent osteoporiois which killed my mum, she crumbled away bless her, i feel few more aches and pains but still feel pretty fit, Yes you do keep checking hoping will disappear,   Strange thing was my oldest friend, weve known each other since childhood, developed ovarian cancer same week as i did breast, her family have a history of it, but she thought had escaped.  We met up for ;lunch yesterday, she lives 30 miles away and we are both doing well. she didnt have to have chemo either. we had a bottle of vino to celebrate,  june

[StephanieL]

Hi Kitt

You haven't added to my worries, you helped me to be prepared, I really appreciate that. Thankyou xxxx

[Kittkatt]

Hopefully I'm wrong and your centre do things differently - maybe someone else can share if they've had same day results but certainly at mine, by the time I got my results a week post biopsy, the MDT had met (surgeon, radiologist and pathologist) so they had a plan in place for me. Really sorry to add to your worries but guess it will be a bonus if your centre have found a way to speed up the process.
Keep in touch.
Hugs,
Kitt
X

[StephanieL]

Thankyou, i didn't realise that, I had been told I will get results on the day, and so in my mind I had been thinking, I will know Saturday and move on positively after that. I slept last night for the first time in ages, but then I found another lump in my arm pit in the bath tonight, so that's now three, so now I am freaking out again (snot monster a perfect description) ! Saturday can't come quick enough now, thankyou for taking the time to reply xxxxx

[Kittkatt]

Hope it goes well for you on Saturday, Stephanie ....don't let me give you the impression that I was cool, calm and collected when I was at your stage of the journey . Snot-monster was closer to the mark (mostly in private because if I get sympathy when I cry I just can't stop!) but it passes !
It's so much better once you know what you're dealing with and have a plan. I haven't heard of anyone receiving definitive results on the same day - mine was a week after biopsy and some ladies seem to wait longer, so don't be too disappointed if you don't know as much as you hope to after Saturday. My surgeon did tell me at my first appointment that he expected it to be cancer based on the radiology but not confirmed until the following week.
Hugs,
Kitt
X

[StephanieL]

Hi Catchpole

thankyou for sharing your story, its so strange to suddenly find a lump isn't it? I keep thinking they (2) are going to go just as quick as they came, so spend my time when I am on the loo checking! I must look stupid, but I have a 7 year old and it's just about (but not always) the only time I am on my own!
Thankyou for describing what you have been through, I can't imagine how new year was for you, you are very brave, awesome woman. Thankyou xxxx

[catchpole]

Hi Stephanie,

I found my lump they day after boxing day ive always checked my breasts regularly snd there was the lump, felt other breast, i screamed , good job my neighbour in flat above me is deaf, hed have thought i was being murdered! lol. got out of bath text one of my friends  she gave the usual reassuring stuff people say, but somehow i knew right from then it was, made appointment not till the wed after xmas hols another hold up but my doctors were great, got hospital appointment quickly, and yes it was cancer, had lump removed end Jan, and as first lymth node was suspect they took all others in my left arm. I think once out i did feel better, at least it had gone, but another wait to see surgeon, other nodes all clear, so he said chemo up to me, butwhen i saw oncologist, he said chemo would make little difference and tamoxifen and rads would be fine. Possibly im lucky but just wanted to reassure you it can be straightforward, i feel fine, have never felt ill, awaiting rads, and tamoxifen doesent seem to have many side effects. Hope  you are as fortunate, but the waiting is the worst june

[StephanieL]

Hi Kitt

Thanks is much, it's weird, I never checked either but brushed upon it in the bath. My appointment has been confirmed as Saturday morning, they also confirmed that I would leave knowing the results. So a bit more waiting, but not for the result (thank god).

Thankyou for your inspiring story, it means so much to me, to read this, so glad you are pretty much back to normal, you are amazing. Thankyou xx

[Kittkatt]

Hi Stephanie, you'll have gathered from the stories on here that universally, the waiting is the worst so you are completely normal there. My lumpy waiting story was that I found a lump in my right breast last September. I was never one for checking my breasts so just found it when I had an itch. I decided it would be nothing so gave it a month and when it hadn't changed, went to see my GP. He said he was obliged to send me to get it checked out - appointment took 3 weeks but probably sent as a non-urgent since neither my GP nor I were particularly concerned ... oops!
Anyway, long story short, it turned out to be a 1.8cm invasive ductal carcinoma which was removed along with sentinel nodes in November. Now I know everyone can't be as fortunate as me but I guess I'm sharing because despite the delay I had no spread, had radiotherapy January in to February and now feel pretty much back to normal (with a pretty symmetrical pair of boobs too!).
Having been too blasé at the outset I then worried about every stage of the treatment but actually none of it was as bad as I had imagined.
Hope it goes well for you, Stephanie, and you'll have gathered there is loads of support on here.
Hugs,
Kitt
X

[StephanieL]

Hi

I have been reading some of the incredible stories here and it feels so weird that only three weeks ago I found a lump and I can't think of the time before that moment where I slept through the night without any real worries.

I haven't googled, but I need to know a bit more regarding the situation I am in as that's what is keeping me awake and making me emotional, I hope you can help?

I found a lump three weeks ago, saw the doctor who said come back after your period. The following week without any sign of my period, I went back as I was constantly checking and found two lumps and also I have some dull breast 'ache' and arm pit pain. A different doctor this time, who examined me more thoroughly she felt that the lumps would still be there regardless of waiting on my period and so I am now waiting on the appointment, she mentioned I would be fast tracked. If I haven't had the call by tomorrow lunchtime I need to call her and she will chase them.

My lumps are round hard bumps, doesn't move, I have two of them. Can you please share your lumpy waiting stories with me please?

Xxx