Hello NonnaH and welcome to the community.

I'm sorry that your referral was delayed but I'm glad you now finally have a date for your appointment. I know the next two weeks will be tough but many of our members are in the same position so will understand what you're going through at the moment and will hopefully be along soon to offer their support and advice.

In the meantime, I hope these coping strategies and information I've found about mindfulness will help calm your mind. Wishing you all the best for the 22nd Nonna. 

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi I went to the gp in December with a large breast lump. While there she found another 3, so she said I would then be waiting for an urgent 2 week referral. I had my appointment 4 weeks later due to backlogs with covid, it was a horrendous time waiting.  At the hospital I had an ultrasound and biopsies which really wasnt bad at all although when she mentioned it I was actually shaking! My results came in 3 days ago, my large lump is fibroadenoma and can stay, another smaller one has to be removed, it's a papillary lesion. So now I am waiting on an appointment for this which could be months down the line. Your worry is completely understandable, and I'll be honest some days I felt like screaming and got angry about the whole situation. Like you, one of my lumps is under the nipple ( I have a good few lumps now). But that one is completely harmless.  Try keep yourself busy, and remember that we are here anytime for a chat. Kelsi x

Hi Kelsi

Thank you so much for replying. Its awful isn't it the waiting the not knowing. Im a keyworker in a school but freaked at the thought of either  catching covid or a "bubble" which I've been working in goes down and I've to isolate an miss the appointment so iv not been in this last week! Under normal circumstances id be working away keeping busy but I feel  totally numb unable to concentrate or motivate myself. I thought it was just me being pathetic.  Sorry to hear your circumstances but hopefully you'll get sorted. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Thank you so much for your encouraging and comforting words. Take care and please keep in touch.  Good luck with your journey and up coming op! 

NonnaH

I too felt totally numb and would even sometimes be standing making dinner etc and totally be in my own world thinking about the appointment. Other times I didnt even want to eat. It really does just take over your entire day but remember that the majority of women get a positive result and bear in mind its probably a harmless cyst. Can I ask what age you are and whereabouts in the country you live? Different areas maybe have different waiting times for results and appointments.  I was told my results there over the phone, and also that they dont know even roughly when my lump removal will be!

Hi Kelsi 

Yes I live just outside Leeds and I've been referred to a hospital which has a good  reputation.  Like you say its a numbness that just takes over you. 

My son in laws father was diagnosed with throat cancer during the first lockdown.  He was treated there and finished treatment  including an op and radiotherapy on Xmas. Apparently a few of his appointments were via zoom! Not sure about all that.  Are you managing to stay fairly sane while your waiting for a date for the op? I think I'd be worrying myself sick.  This pandemic has a lot to answer for. I think the isolation makes things harder too. Im sure if coffee shops were open id meet a friend for a cuppa and a good old cry!

Hopefully you'll hear something soon.  Is there an opportunity for you to phone or email the surgeons secretary to see where  on the list you are? 

Try stay strong  (says me the 'weeping willow')

X

I think I'm going to give it a week then call and see if theres any sign of an appointment. I think if they tell me its 2 months down the line I'll go nuts!

Yeah it's not easy with everything being closed, I'm in ayrshire and it's the same, when I got my results the other day I got off the phone and honestly wanted to scream. I had prayed she was going to tell me that I needed nothing else. Just the thought of being back to square one with worrying and waiting, and I found myself being snappy with family and my partner, I know they are all trying to help but I just wanted to scream at them that it's me to go through this, not them. Feel bad for thinking like that but you'll probably see where I'm coming from. That's why it's so much relief talking to women like ourselves on here. We all understand. And I'm here anytime you want to message, x

Hi [@Kelsi]‍,

Was just wondering how your doing and if you had any news on a date for your op? 

Nonna H xx

Hi, sorry just realised you had left a message.

I'm ok thanks but have some days when I'm really up and down. As much as I try to keep busy I'm always on edge waiting on the postman. Still no letter yet to let me know when I've to get it removed, I just wish I knew whether it was going to be weeks or a month etc down the line. I'm really anxious about getting it done, I have a bit of a phobia of hospitals as it is, and honestly start shaking whenever I'm near one so absolutely dreading the thought of going for this, just wish it would be soon because the more I'm waiting about the more I feel like I'm going nuts!

How are you feeling?x

Hi Kelsi 

Your bound to be feeling anxious its only natural.  I fully get where your coming from. Its bad enough having to go through it without the added pressure of a pandemic in the background.  I've been reading up about mindfulness im trying to keep busy and stay in the moment as they say. Evenings and night times I'm finding the hardest. My mind then begins to wonder and when poor hubby tries to have a conversation with me im either not listening not interested or not even on the same planet! Im beginning to wonder if at some point I may need to think about a phone call to docs to see if theres anything I can be given to help me sleep or 5ake the edge of things.  I do hope you hear something soon luvvy I really do. Im here if you need a natter. Your in my thoughts. 

Helen x