Hi Alicaic,

I am sorry to hear about your symptoms and the fact that you have to wait until the new year for your clinic appointment. This is always a worrying time and our imaginations take us to all sorts of dark places. Not all breast lumps are cancerous. Many are benign cysts, hormonal or fibrous changes. It is also a fact that only 1 person in every 8 referred will get a cancer diagnosis. The younger you are the less likely you are to have breast cancer. 

Even if it does turn out to be cancer, breast cancer is one of the most treatable types of cancer nowadays. I myself have had 2 bouts in the past 12 years, but I still live a busy and fulfilled life.

Do you have a pastime or any jobs to catch up on?  We usually advise people to keep themselves as busy as possible to help the waiting time to pass.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you're getting on. We all know what you are going through and, are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks for replying. I have been following cancer research forum for a week or so and you have been very helpful. Thanks. 
 

I am a third year student nurse who is currently on AL so I have three weeks off to sit with my own thoughts! And as a nurse, I feel like I am going slightly crazy. I am struggling to switch off at night. 
 

I've had this lump and swelling for at least 6 weeks now. And even though im aware there chances of it been cancer are low... im just concerned with the swelling in the armpit and the fact I have a separate lump in my breast. 
 

I have children aswell (that im not breastfeeding) and it's just stressful. 
 

alicia 

Thank you! I appreciate your kind words :) 

sorry you are also waiting for an appointment. Waiting is definitly so difficult. What symptoms are you experiencing. 
 

I'm here anytime you want to chat. 
 

alicia 

Thanks Alicia. 
 

I found a lump, GP could also feel it hence the referral. Weirdly though (and I'm not sure if my mind is playing tricks on me) I can't feel it like before. I noticed it without hardly trying before going to GP and now I'm searching for it and I can only feel anything if I really rummage with a bit of pressure which makes me wonder if it's moved or if im now just feeling normal breast tissue. Either way I need that appointment to stop my insanity! :laugh:

Good luck for tomorrow Alicia, I'm so glad your appointment hasn't been postponed. I just keep expecting mine to get pushed back further. My hospital trust announced they have 800 staff currently absent with covid Hope all goes well & for the best possible outcome for you. Will be thinking of you x

I can relate to how you feel... just a few weeks ago I literally felt like I was going insane... waiting for the postman. I knew where the breast clinic was, so I phoned them and they told me when my appointment was. 
 

I feel my lump a lot. And then I'm like do I really feel like... I do feel it... but I drive myself crazy feeling it. And I'm constantly asking my husband if my underarm is still swollen. 
 

alicia 

Hi 

I work for the NHS so I can fully understand where the absences are coming from. They are prostponing non urgent appointments and deploying staff to essential services like cancer services to ensure these go ahead! Which is positive for us (in a way) 

I will update you tomorrow. 
 

alicia 

Hi Alicia,

I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and hope that all goes better than you're expecting. I also sincerely hope that your appointment doesn't get cancelled.

Please let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

No I'm sure it won't get cancelled. 
 

the challenge now is trying to sleep..... I've just got a million scenarios playing around in my head for tomorrow. 
 

alicia 

Appointment is going ahead and I am here! 
 

barely slept last night and I feel like I could projectile vomit at any point!! 

Good luck  

glad you are there and all is happening. 
 

keep us posted 

Hi Alicia,

I'm glad to hear that all is going ahead.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Alicia,

I'm glad to hear that all is going ahead.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks so much to you both!! 
 

I will post an update later ️

Hope it has gone well. I have just received my one stop appointment for the 19th. So so scared.

Hi vegmum,

haven't heard from Alicia yet.

can I ask when your gp appointment was as I'm waiting on my date to come through and it's driving me crazy. 

Hi Vegmum

I also have my breast clinic appointment on the 19th & I feel like I'm going out of my mind too. Such a horrible time waiting xx

I was very fortunate it's a private referral worried2022. I hope you get your appointment date through very soon. 

I considered private too but was told there wasn't much difference in wait times (I'm in south Devon) as there aren't many private clinics close by

Sorry it was a 3 hour appointment and my lack of sleep I've been exhausted and had a wee sleep. 
 

So my ultrasound was fine apart from one lump which is suspicious but it's behind my nipple so can't be biopsied but she wanted to leave it three months, so I have an appointment to go back in April. But if I feel my symptoms are getting worse, I can phone up and go back anytime. 
 

the only way to get at this lump is surgery which is how the surgeon is planning to go ahead if the lump is still there in April or if I feel I need seeing more urgently before then. 
 

so nothing 'urgent' at present which is reassuring ... but it's more a waiting game.

Me too, have bought some nytol today and hoping i might get some more sleep as have barely slept the last few days. Have just told a friend and that has helped me slightly. She had some positive stories where the outcome has been good. xx

No worries, i can appreciate the exhaustion. 

Hopefully that is positive then that she feels it can be left 3months. Sorry you have more waiting to do though. xx

Although it might not be fully conclusive Alicia at least they aren't concerned enough to need to do something straight away. I hope you feel pretty relieved. 
 

I got my date for 25th. Literally can't come soon enough.