Hi Julia,

A very warm welcome to our forum. 

I am sorry to hear that you find yourself waiting for an appointment at the breast clinic. These normally come through within 2 weeks from the date of referral, so you should hear soon. No matter how scary you are finding this, you have done the right thing by getting it investigated. There is always the temptation to keep poking and prodding ourselves after we discover a lump. This can often make something that was painless become painful. 

Try your best to leave well alone and don't start looking up things on google. Much of the information is poorly researched, out of date and aimed at the spectacular cases. This just serves to frighten you further and has no useful purpose. There are several different types of breast cancer and there is no point in looking anything up until you know exactly wat you are dealing with.

It is hard to say what is causing the pain in your arms. Many of us do imagine pains all over our bodies once we find a lump. Some of these can be associated, but others disappear as soon as we get a diagnosis.

The possibility of a cancer diagnosis always bring us round to the thought of how our children will cope. I was the same at first. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 12 years and I still lead a busy and fulfilled life - I'm sure that you will probably do the same.

The best thing you can do at present is to keep busy. This doesn't always have to be work related - do you have a hobby that you could get involved in? I expect that, with two young children, you will have no bother keeping busy, but this really does help the time to pass.

Please keep in touch and let us know when your appointment comes through.

We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm just so frightened of it being cancer and I just don't know what I'd do. My children are so young and my husband is so worried too (even though he's trying to be a lot more positive than me about it). I have been googling and it's the worst thing to do, you're absolutely right. 
 

Thank you again for your reply.

Julia x

Hi Julia,

Not all lumps are cancerous. Many are benign cysts, hormonal or fibrous lesions. It is a fact that only 1 person in every 8 referred to the breast clinic will get a cancer diagnosis. Even if the worst should happen, breast cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer nowadays. Although we nearly all find our emotions all over the place at this stage, there really is no point in worrying. Try to remind yourself that "it isn't cancer until you're told that it's cancer."

If it does turn out to be cancer,you will cope with it in the same way as we all do, because we have to. However, there's a lot more to worry about in today's world, so try to make the most of Easter Sunday with your family and deal with this IF it comes.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi JulesV

Just wondering if you've heard anything about an appoinment yet? (Only if you feel like posting of course!)

Hello! Yes I've got my appointment at the clinic on Monday so 2 weeks after my initial referral. How about you?? How are things?

That's great news - glad things are moving. Was the same for me - appointment was 2 weeks on the dot after the referral.

I'm good thanks - just waiting for results next week. I'm over the halfway mark of waiting since my appointment, which helps somehow!

Good luck for Monday - hope it goes well - it will be good to have it done x

Thank you- I'm hoping it'll just be a check and nothing more (obviously) but I'm still feeling so scared about it all

How have you been feeling? Is your lump big? Mine is very small but I don't know if that's a good or bad thing! X

Thank you- I'm hoping it'll just be a check and nothing more (obviously) but I'm still feeling so scared about it all

How have you been feeling? Is your lump big? Mine is very small but I don't know if that's a good or bad thing! X

I've been good thanks. The wait is getting easier as it's getting shorter although I'm sure I will be nervous again when the time actually comes.

I'm not sure - the consultant described it as a really small lump but also said the radiologist thought it was about 2cm across which was bigger than I expected! It felt a bit smaller than that to me.

How are you doing? Today and the weekend to get through - you are nearly there x

That's really good you're doing ok You sound much calmer than me, what's your secret?! X