Hi Bubblesmum,

I am just checking to see if you got your surgery and how you are!

I have read this whole thread form when Mary started it, for the last hour or so. I feel like i have got to the end of a good book.... only to realise that it's not actually the end! I want to know how everyone is doing!!

I googled about wait times for biopsies of microcalcifications and this was the first thing I clicked on. I'm fed up of playing the waiting game now  

I went to see my GP on 7th Nov 2021 as I was concerned about my right boob - it was achy, tender and had changed shape a little - my nipple had changed direction, He said he would refer me for a mammogram. I had the Mammogram on 14th November 2021  The radiologist sowed me the image of the right breast and pounded out an area which looked pretty much like a pea, she explained it was a cluster of microcalcifications deep into my breast. As I'm 53 she asked when and if I'd had a routine screening mammo, which I had  She told me they would request the image from the Breast Screening service and if it was a new thing I would be having a biopsy but if it was present on my last one then I wouldn't require a biopsy, I saw the consultant who echoed her explanation. I left the hospital somewhat bemused but at the same time relieved that the hospital was being thorough. 
With Xmas looming, I tried as best I could to push it to the back of my mind and on the whole managed to achieve just that as I was busy with the fledgling business my middle Daughter and I started in October. Xmas came and went..... then New Year  I'll admit that when my Daughters were all asking if I'd heard anything from the hospital every day, I was saying 'No news is good news, if it was anything of concern they would have contacted me by now'. That said, by mid January I was starting to think I should have heard something either way. I found the number for the breast screening service for my area and called them  I asked how long it would take if a hospital requested a copy of a mammogram I'd had with them - the answer - Immediately! The lady I spoke to explained that if it was requested via email it would be sent straight over in a couple of clicks, it it was via a phone call, they'd receive it within a minute of the call ending! She gave me the the information i needed to check with the hospital if they had requested the mammo in the correct way - email, telephone number & extension, she was so lovely bless her. Next call was the Consultants Secretary, she took the information and said she would call me back - she didn't  Anyway, this frustrating game of tennis with my right boob lasted 3 weeks. I eventually received a letter from another hospital with a biopsy appointment for 7th March! Long story short (kind of as it is already a long post!) it is now the 3rd of April and despite being told the results could take 2-3 weeks as the lab is backed up - I'm still waiting!

Reading through this inspirational thread, everyone has said the waiting is the worst part, in my case it most certainly is. On the 7th April, it will be exactly 5 months since my GP made the referral and I am still non the wiser. Im glad I found this thread containing the intricacies, twists and turns, ups and downs of each individual journey.

I so hope you and the other ladies on this thread are doing well

Hugd

Dee

Hi Dee,

Welcome to this thread.  I'm so sorry to read that your journey has been such a long one, and that you are still non the wiser.  It just doesn't seem fair that you have been kept in limbo like this.  It must have been very difficult and you sound as if you have been very strong.  That's a big achievement in itself.  You're right, it's the waiting that's the worst.

I had my biopsy done a week after they found the calcifications.  That was because mine were graded as indeterminate which is mid way between being ok and being dodgy!  It all depends on how the calcifications look on the mammogram, shape, clustered etc.  Apparently once they are spotted the radiographer can grade how risky they are, or not, and many calcifications can be benign.  They are very common I've learned.  Anything that is indeterminate or above is always biopsied.  I wonder whether the delay with you is because your calcifications were deemed to look very low risk?  You can phone the clinic and ask how they were originally graded.   If they weren't on your last mammogram (mine weren't) then they will biopsy as they won't have an image of the calcifications to compare. 

Covid has hit waiting times but I now think that's a very weak excuse.  My clinic seems to be catching up, and whilst busy, I've never had more than 3 weeks to wait for biopsy results.  I think you deserved more prompt answers than you have had.   I had delays as I got a second opinion on my pics as they found another area of calcifications and I had to have another biopsy and surgery was cancelled.  Half term hit and before you know 3 weeks can pass!  Despite those delays my consultant told me we were still within the guidelines of 12 weeks which is the acceptable timescale at our trust to diagnose and treat breast cancer.  It seems to me that your wait of 5 months is a stretch too far. 

I wish you well and hope you get some good news when you finally get your results.  There is every chance you will.

Take care.  Mary

So on Friday I had my pre surgery PCR and it's come back positive. No surgery for me tomorrow now and seems I have to wait up to 7 weeks now, as that's the guidance:( I tested positive at home 3 weeks ago and have since had negative LFT so it just goes to show how results can vary. 
I now have to wait around knowing there's still cancer cells in my right breast as they didn't get it all. Also as I'm now 7 weeks post lumpectomy and 6 weeks post haematoma evacuation, things are starting to heal a bit more but they're going to have to open it all up again:(  All this of course delays radiotherapy and psychologically it's awful. Are those cancer cells in that tissue going to grow or spread? So much disruption to plans and work etc too

Hope everyone is doing ok and don't like to moan but it's got me down x

Hi GT63

i am so sorry to hear your news. I am amazed that a PCR result would show up positive after 3 weeks. I really feel for you.

I had my PCR yesterday as an supposed to have surgery on Wednesday- a week overdue as my surgeon had covid. But I have what feels like a cold so think I probably have covid - despite not going anywhere. 
 
Have you spoken to your BCN and asked about what might happen to the cancer cells in the meantime? 

Sending hugs and strength.

x

Hi Dee, 

So sorry that you find yourself here and that's its been such a long and stressful journey and you still have no clarity.  I'm glad that you found this thread to be of help and please know you are not alone. 

Any news on your biopsy results?

Please keep us posted. You are one of the girls now!!

Sending best wishes xx

Hi GT63, 

So so sorry that this has happened to you and now you face another agonising wait. Have you had any confirmation about the seven weeks?

I have read this too but was not sure whether it was only the case for elective surgery. I feel that removing cancer is definitely necessary rather than elective but am sure your team will do best by you and balance any risks and hopefully reassure you.

I gather PCR's are a whole lot more sensitive than lateral flows and you can test positive for much longer than you would on a lateral flow. Either way it's absolutely s*** and I really feel for you. It's no surprise that this has got you down so please don't apologise for moaning!

Sending hugs xx

Hi Bubblesmum, 

Keeping everything crossed that your PCR is negative and your surgery can go ahead on Wednesday. The waiting and delays really take their toll. Hang in there! 

Lots of love xx

Hi,

I hope you don't mind be jumping in.

I have just been diagnosed with high grade ductal carcinoma in situ plus invasive ductal carcinoma 'at least grade 2' with lymphvascular invasion.

I'm only 36yo, single mum, with a 3 yo daughter and no family around as I was not born in the UK although have been living and working here since 2012.

I am quite scared and not sure what to expect. I have a phone call app on Thursday where I will find out a bit more hopefully on the treatment plan and if additional tests are required.

I feel lost and keep thinking about my little girl and what will be of her if anything were to happen to me... My thoughts are running 200mph.

Sorry for all the negativity, just looking for some support.

Hi GT63

I really feel for you.  I'm so sorry about this.  My understanding of this PCR testing is that it's a bit hit and miss.  When my son had Covid at uni he was told to not take any more PCR tests after he recovered for 3 months as it would almost certainly come back as a false positive.    This is because the dead virus' DNA is still picked up in a PCR but it's not active and you're not contagious.  This is the science apparently, so to have a cancer operation cancelled under these circumstances is very tough on you.  As you tested positive at home a while ago, you will surely have recovered by now.

I hope you get a date soon for your surgery.  My surgeon told me that a small delay wil have no affect on outcomes, but I know, understandably you will worry anyway.  
 

M x