I am so sorry you are having such a long wait, it really should not take that long.  If I were you I would contact your CNS on Monday and go through all your concerns, they are a great point of contact and should be able to explain exactly what is going on, all I can do is take an educated guess, but it is only a guess.  Firstly, they are gathering all the information about your cancer to make sure you get the right treatment plan - there isn't only one treatment pathway, it will be tailored to suit you as an individual.  I am wondering whether the diagnosis was made from the core biopsy and maybe the further biopsies are    FNAs from your lymph nodes, this would be to see whether the cancer is in the lymph nodes or not.  Don't panic - that is completely normal to check them.  I had core biopsies and an FNA of my lymph nodes at the same time, but the cytology from the lymph nodes came back as unassessable and so had to go back in for a further FNA of the lymph nodes.  They need to establish this before any surgery as it will determine whether you have just a couple of lymph nodes out or clearance of them all.  Sometimes histology and cytology once processed does not provide all the answers they need and they need to get further samples to get to that point, it's a pain, but it happens and isn't an indication there is a problem.  The imaging is just to eliminate the possibility it is elsewhere in the body, again completely normal and just information gathering.  The waiting is the worst part, all the worst case scenarios go through your head and whatever anyone says you can't help that, but please, phone your CNS and explain how anxious the lack of information is making you feel - they should be able to explain what the hold up is.  I really do think they will have expected to have the results and hence booked your appointment and then had to cancel because the consultant can only decide on a treatment plan when s/he has all the facts.  I hope this has helped, I understand how you feel, I have the same cancer and have now had two lots of surgery and will be starting my chemo this week. 

Hi.  I had my op to remove lump and lymph nodes 5 weeks ago, and I have had to chase up every appointment.  I am a teacher and my partner is in the army based down in Cornwall and we have three boys, so I needed dates and plans so I could get organised.   I have to say, if I hadn't chased and chased then I probably wouldnt be starting chemo next week.  My advise is to ring and pester, this is not something you want to wait around for, action is needed now for your sanity!  Good luck

Hi,

Have you been allocated a named breast care nurse?  I was and if I needed to know anything I could phone her.  I do know that there is a lot of waiting, my results were inconclusive at first, and I had to have further tests and had to wait until the team of consultants met again to discuss treatment.   I was told that they only meet every two weeks.  This was a horrible time.  I think breast care nurses are aware of the stress of waiting and not understanding, but in my hospital, they were happy to put my mind at rest, and give me the information I needed.  So please keep ringing them to clarify the situation.

It has now been 4 years for me since diagnosis, and was back at work following chemo and radiation in approximately 9 months.  If you need any support please post here.

Dianne   xxxx