Hi Joyousjen,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sure that the fact that your Radiologist has found something in your breast which you were unaware of, must have knocked you for six. As others have said, not all lumps are cancerous. Many are benign cysts, fibrous or hormonal changes. It is a fact that, out of every 10 people who attend the breast clinic, only 2 will get a cancer diagnosis. 

Despite these good odds, waiting for a diagnosis, is always a trying time and one which tests our emotions to the limit. I do hope that your appointment comes through soon. Even with a cancer diagnosis, it is not the end of the world. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer within a year of each other. That was 14 years ago and I still lead life to the full.

I sincerely hope that nothing untoward is found when you do attend the clinic. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. In the meantime, we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you jolamine, you are right. I was pretty thrown and asked again if she thought it was a malignancy and she said yes. She didn’t know what the 2 tiny dots were though. I never even asked how big it was or how big/ small the dots were as my mind went blank and we went straight to 4 biopsies. I just can’t sleep just now and the sheer panic comes  over me in waves. What if it spread what if it’s in the lymph nodes, what if I need chemo, will I lose my hair, how do I tell my 90 year old folks or my son? It’s sheer panic. Xxxx

I know this is a horrendous time for you ,but you will get through this . I went through all that and everything is fine . Telling adult children was the worse ,I waited til I was sure what was happening and then told them . They were upset ,naturally ,but really great through the treatment . Mine had gone into the lymph and after chemo I lost all my hair , which when it happened was not that bad for me . I found amazing hats on line ,sitting here now after 7 months writing to you with a massive mop of curls and feeling fine . My 90 year old close relative was great too , so please ,take each day at a time now xxx

You are wonderful thank you for helping  Xx 

HI Joyousjen,

Try not to overthink things at the moment. Most people wait about 2 weeks for their biopsy results and some wait even longer. Not knowing is torture, as our over- active imaginations tend to take over and often lead us to dark places. Irrespective of the outcome, you will feel better, once you know what you are dealing with. Don't panic about the number of biopsies taken. This often happens, when there are different areas to examine.

It is not unusual to find that sleep alludes you at this time and most of us find that our emotions are all over the place. All of the "what ifs" that are coming to mind, might never happen. If they do, then you'll take them day by day, or even hour by hour if need be. 

None of us like to have to break this type of news to loved ones. I lost my own mum to secondary breast cancer and dreaded having to tell my son and daughter, but both have been really supportive throughout. I was also very close to my parents in-law, who were both in their late 90ies.I think that their generation have been through so much in their lifetimes, that they just took it in their stride and I found that breaking the news was much easier than I expected it to be. You will find that the more positive you can be about the outcome when breaking the news, the better people tend to take it.

Have you got a date for your results to come back, or are you waiting to be contacted?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolamine waiting to be contacted. I just can’t sleep and so scared it’s spread.. if I do sleep I wake up crying hysterically. It’s 99.9% certain the radiologist said. There was I large area and 2 round dots elsewhere they were perfectly smooth and round like a tiny smartie and then my brain thinks the worst about them too and the enlarged lymph (1). 
I can feel my mood spiralling down so going to try to see a friend today for a coffee. Thanks so much for being there jolamine xxx

Hi Joypousjen,

I am not a doctor but I understand that,  if your dots are smooth and round, hopefully they'll be ok.  It's the firm, jagged edged ones that are usually problematic. Most of us are  tearful at this stage - don't worry about this, as crying is  a great stress reliever. I hope that you enjoyed the time spent with your friend today and that it helped to keep your mind off things for a while.

Your results will usually come through within 2 weeks from the date of referral, although it is currently taking a little longer in some areas. If you have any questions for the consultant, write them down, as it is all too easy to forget important ones during your appointment. The best way to pass the time meanwhile is to keep busy.

Always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Joypousjen,

I am not a doctor but I understand that,  if your dots are smooth and round, hopefully they'll be ok.  It's the firm, jagged edged ones that are usually problematic. Most of us are  tearful at this stage - don't worry about this, as crying is  a great stress reliever. I hope that you enjoyed the time spent with your friend today and that it helped to keep your mind off things for a while.

Your results will usually come through within 2 weeks from the date of referral, although it is currently taking a little longer in some areas. If you have any questions for the consultant, write them down, as it is all too easy to forget important ones during your appointment. The best way to pass the time meanwhile is to keep busy.

Always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks jolamine I had a lovely time with my friend chatting/crying and eating cake. Your responses have been so supportive and I am incredibly grateful to be able to “offload”. I am terrified about the 1 lymph node which changes everything and every ache and pain in my head is cancer albeit I am trying to tame it as much as I can. Thanks again jolamine . Xxxxx