Breast Cancer Now Forum

Oh dear, its really frustrating when you leave and things aren't resolved. Did you have to go back in to the initial doctor after your scans as that could be a chance to ask questions or at least for them to maybe suggest possibilities. I have a similar query that can't be answered absolutely and continued pain so I can understand your frustrations totally. ... View more

Hi, I got good news at the appointment today. No mammograms as too soon from the last one. Repeat ultrasounds showed lots more cysts so diagnosed as cystic disease (basically just prone to multiple cysts) but not aspirating them this time and just monitoringfor change. Only issue is how I know which lumps to be concerned about as there is so many but they just said I'd know if I had significant changes. Hope yours went ok H20. Lorrainne ... View more

Thanks Emily, appointment is tomorrow PM. It's made me feel better that I'm unlikely to have them again given already having repeats that last time and them not being so pleasant. Still very surprised I'm totally calm and not in the least worried this time. Guess I'm thinking nothing drastic could have happened in 5 months. Thanks so much for putting my mind at ease. Lorrainne. X ... View more

Hi, this happened to me in October (age 41), breast got bigger and heavier so much so I couldn't bear taking off bra. It turned out to be multiple cysts and a benign lump. Thankfully there are lots of different conditions with different symptoms (some very similar) so unfortunately its a waiting game til you know. Hope things go well at your appointment. I'm not sure what tests you'll be recommended but ultrasound showed up all my cysts and it was painless, quick and easy. Good luck. ... View more

Hi, I had to claim in October last year for 2 breaks we had booked. I had no trouble at all. All very quick, efficient and fast payment. In the end I was very lucky as I was given the all-clear but they were very easy to deal with throughout. ... View more

Hi, in September when I took my bra off I felt an ache and actually joked to myself about droopy ness and age and needing a bra on (age 41 and a G/H cup). It hadnt gone in the morning so checked myself and found a very obvious lump on the upper part of right breast. GP appointment next day who found the lump and said there was a mass behind it. Hospital referral appointment was over 4 weeks later and no chance of bringing forward despite GP marking as urgent. It was 4 weeks of hell, tears, panic, catastrophising and every niggle feeling like it had spread....BUT, after mamo, magnified mamos, ultrasounds, biopsies it was discovered I had a breast full of cysts which were drained and removed that day. Easier said than done I know, but even with such a long wait try to focus on being positive and don't google its horrendous. Everything I read during my long wait was two months would make no difference at all. It didn't to my lump but very much did to my poor mental health. Good luck for your appointment when it comes. ... View more

Hi Clara, in September I was in a similar situation to you and had all the emotions you are feeling too. Mine sounds exactly like yours and my Gp described it as an elongated mass. 4 weeks later when I had my appointment, after all kinds of scares on the day, they found 2 deep non moving lumps, core biopsies and drained cysts. I also breast fed til my youngest was 4 (which I thought was my insurance policy). I had me leaving my children motherless and all sorts that month and my story had a "good" ending. Hopefully yours does too. Strangely, in the days leading up to the appointment that fear was replaced with much more positive thoughts anyway "if I'm going to have cancer, I'd rather have this one as there is so much they can do", " look at all these other strong women on here, they show it can be done" and "whatever will be, will be and I'm ready for the fight". Even though my story ended in benign lumps and cysts (and more cysts in there to come), it has left a wee hangover where I'm not sure I believe them everything is ok (despite clear biopsy results) which is really really silly. Hope all goes well on 16th. Lorrainne ... View more

Hi, in my experience with this doctors never just say something to make you feel less worried, they are usually more blunt the other way! I'd take hope (with cautious optimism) from what you've been told. I had to wait 4 weeks between GP appointment and breast clinic referral, so I can relate to the horror and stress of the wait - horrendous doesn't even begin to describe it. My GP said she was not happy with what she felt, but still in the end it turned out to be benign plus I got cysts drained, so if it is that in the end - that was really easy and not painful in the slightest. They did that for me in combination with the ultrasound. Hope you don't have too much longer to wait. X ... View more

Hi, I think everyone of us is angry on your behalf! Disgraceful treatment right when you don't need it. I can 100% see why you've only one fight you want to concentrate on, especially as you're also a busy young mum - more than enough for anyone. It seems so wrong that they can do this to you so maybe there is a way to let others fight it for you - be it the media, CAB, Macmillan WR service or a family member who can take the strain for you without you having the added burden of being the "main woman" in that battle. Wish you well with your wee ones and with your forthcoming health and treatment plan. X ... View more

Hi Rosemaryanne, I'm glad your husband took things well and hope he'll be a good support to you should you need it. I wish I didn't have to tell my two boys (had no choice due to the circs below) so they didn't have the month of worry as well. I still had the support of my husband though when I needed it. Glad you've taken charge and made the right decision for you. X ... View more

Yey!! Got the good news confirmed by phone this morning. Funnily enough, a letter was just being posted today and they were happy to read it out to me. Very relieved and pressure feels less already. Good luck to everyone else on this horrible journey. Lorrainne. X ... View more

Hi, I actually phoned this morning as hadnt heard and was getting a tiny bit anxious. Was passed from pillar to post (nobody knew how to get results or who would give them - ARGH!!!), eventually someone says "oh we usually only phone if it is BC so it must be ok". After being mad at not being assertive enough last week, I took big gulp and said "actually it's not ok, it's far too big a thing and too important to just assume anything - what if there was something and as nobody seemed to know where the results were never mind what's in them - well, no, sorry - I need a difinitive (hopefully confirmed positive) result. I've had to leave my number for someone to phone when they've looked into it. What a strange way to work although at the cattle market (sorry I meant clinic), you could see they were bursting at the seams and under pressure so this must be a way of diverting the scarce resources to those who really need the help, support and future action plan. Given what some others are having to deal with, this is very minor worry and I'd take it every time. ... View more

Hi, I think this is a really personal one that only your gut feeling will know best. It depends as well on whether you can do this alone for the two weeks or whether you'll need the support. Another thing to consider is if you think you are hiding it well, but they know something isn't right and there is communication breakdowns and misunderstandings. Being selfish, all you need to think about is you (my husband gave me lots of rows when I kept saying sorry, worrying about him or the boys etc). How would your husband be afterwards (good or bad news), would he be upset for you that you dealt with it on your own without telling him or would he agree with your reasons. Lots to think about, but whatever is best for you. Me, I told my husband (needed the support) and my boys (against my will but my Gp receptionist and the hospital clinic admin women are both my neighbours and mothers of the boys best friends so I wasn't taking chances they'd hear second hand - despite workplace confidentiality etc etc). I chose not to tell parents or friends to save them the worry, just as you suggested but I couldn't have done it without my husband and he's said to me he wouldn't have wanted me to do it alone. Good luck with whatever you decided and for a positive outcome. Lorrainne. X ... View more

Betty, I was recalled for the same thing and again at the ultrasound but in the end the lumps (including one I knew nothing about) were benign (90%, still to be confirmed officially). Waiting did make the anxiety worse so good luck pushing for a quicker appointment too. ... View more

Hi Betty, I can imagine you are anxious as you also don't like hospitals like I was. The ultrasound bit at the hospital was the bit I found the easiest. It was a quiet calm dark room (I suppose to see the screen better) and that's where they did all my biopsies, draining and lump removals. It was very private, personal and not at all like the rest of the hospital aspects. Also, no pain at all for the ultrasound or even most of the other stuff and even the Dr and specialist nurse seemed calmer and much more person centred plus took my anxiety into account. I hope this helps for when you go. Lorrainne. X ... View more

Hi wavylocks, sounds like you've had a really tough couple of days and as all of us know, a horrible week of waiting to come. Be prepared for the roller coaster of emotions that you have mentioned - from keeping busy, focused, strong and positive to the worry, lows and tears. I described it as a "can't get out of a wave pool" feeling. Waiting is horrible, its like everything goes on a false hold. I think you've been left in a very very difficult position and it won't be the easiest of times until you go back. When I went, amongst lots I didn't like about the hospital, they at least were very vocal and honest at every single stage. They said it didn't look good on the mammograms, they got me back in for magnifying ones and again I got the "oh it doesn't look good", "do you have anyone with you" but when I asked if it looked like cancer they bluntly said "yes, it looks suspicious". Then at the ultrasound when I could see black circles and asked again, they were very honest and blunt and repeated they were concerned, it looked suspicious etc etc but when they did the biopsies, drained cysts and extracted/evacuated two lumps they then have me a very clear verbal opinion with %'s. For me, despite the negativity all the way I have a visual 90% that it is not cancer (I'm taking this as very very good news although dont get final results til this week). I really appreciated their bluntness and honesty (and believe even if it was bad news they would also have told me straight) and its helped me get my head straight and deal with this week. The only advice I can give is to do what feels right; if you have questions definitely phone the helpline (even if its only to ramble or wonder out loud) or speak to whoever you feel most comfortable with. Even you GP might be helpful if you need it. Hope the week goes quickly for you and things go well. Will be thinking of you. Lorrainne. X ... View more

Hi there, just saw your post. Last week I had all my tests and get final results this week (although got a verbal looks good from the biopsies taken). I knew the lump on my right breast felt huge (even though went to GP day I found it), and on the mammogram and especially ultrsound it looked a huge awful black circle (I actually said to the radiographer OMG is there room for any breast in there beside that lump). Even with all that going on, they've given me a 90% verbal clear until the official results on Monday/Tuesday. Same with the small lump they found on the other side that me, GP and hospital Dr missed. I also had neck, arm, rib and side pains and still it was nothing to do with BC ( underarms are 100% guaranteed clear). I've put it down to not sleeping, stress of a 4 week wait to hospital appointment, being too careful and stiff to avoid hurting my breast, possibly psychosomatic as well. I'm a lot more positive since the biopsies as the staff were as blunt as hell and told me after mammogram not looking good, asking during scan if I had anyone with me as not looking good and only being more positive after biopsies so they sure as heck don't spare your feelings. I'm guessing you're not getting results til Thursday and know from bitter experience that someone telling you to be positive doesn't work! If there is anybody, even a friend - try saying it all around and even doing that I found relieving but if not come on here anytime and vent. Will be thinking about you. Lorrainne. X ... View more