Hi Laura Rose,

Firstly, sorry that you find yourself in this situation. It's so stressful.

My experience was that I waited a little over 2 weeks from the GP appointment to my appointment at the breast clinic. I didn't have a lump, but a dip on my left breast.

At the appointment, I had an ultrasound, biopsies and a mammogram. I was told there and then that they were 95% sure that I had breast cancer but had to wait for the result to be sure. Those took 10 days to come back and unfortunately for me, they were correct and I was diagnosed on 1st June this year.

My biggest piece of advice would be to take someone with you to the breast clinic. I didn't because I didn't know the rules with covid etc and I really didn't think they'd tell me anything like that on the first appointment. My mum and husband are still struggling with the guilt that I was on my own but no one could have known! 

If, unfortunately they do find anything sinister, things actually moved very quickly from there for me. I had a mastectomy with immediate recon on 5th July so little over a month from my diagnosis. I fit a wedding and honeymoon in between that too!! 

I have everything crossed for you and if it's any help, 90% of Lumps turn out to be nothing serious and I was told by my consultant that breast pain isn't normally associated with breast cancer so they're positives to hold onto until your appointment.

Best of luck xx 

Hi, just thought I'd update. Finally had my ultrasound today - the room went deadly silent, neither the sonographer or the technician said anything which kind of gave me the impression that if they couldn't say anything positive then they just weren't saying anything at all! Judging by the screen the mass was dark and irregular shaped.  At the end of the scan they said my GP would call me in a week's time, I said "So... can you tell me anything about it? Is it okay?" They looked at each other, and the sonographer said he wouldn't want to diagnose anything just from an ultrasound but that it definitely needs further investigation due to the blood flow he saw.  The technician then asked me if I was okay.

Can I deduce from this that it is a tumour, and has at least a reasonable chance of being cancerous?  I've never sat in such an uncomfortable silence, not a word for the whole session!  Please can I just get some support and help with this, maybe anyone else who's had similar experiences? They said I should hear soon and I'm assuming a biopsy will be arranged but right now I'm feeling very adrift and lonely.  Trying not to assume the worst but I somehow assumed I'd have some kind of answers by now but seem to only have more questions!  Hand holding appreciated whilst I wait for answers...

Hi,

Sorry that this is causing you so much stress!

I can only tell you what my experience was and that was when I was having my ultrasound they kept me talking throughout. I had biopsies taken at that same appointment. They also gave me a mammogram. 

As I said before, my consultant told me on the day that they were quite sure that I had a cancer. I know this has been the case for many other women too. 

Your consultant hasn't said that to you so I'd hold onto that. I know it's so hard and the waiting is unbearable but just try to stay positive and keep yourself busy! Unfortunately there is a lot of waiting and there's just nothing we can do about it! 

If I can help you with anything, any questions etc I will as much as I can! X 

Thank you. Your replies have been super reassuring, frankly it's enough just knowing there's someone out there and I'm not just speaking out into the void.

I am pretty convinced it is cancer, primarily from the body language I observed and the way the technician asked me if I was okay at the end... and surprisingly that doesn't scare me, I just don't like not knowing what's coming next (Autism at its finest!) - I wish there were a simpler way to get all the tests done and just know one way or another!  I know you know how it feels having been there yourself - how on earth did you keep yourself busy?!

I hope you are doing well, how is treatment going? x

No problem, I know how scary it can be so whatever I can do to help others, I will do. 

Only you can judge the way that your appointment went but what I will tell you is, that I really don't think they'll hide anything from you. My consultant has been brutally honest the whole way through and whilst that may not be everyone's cup of tea, I've found that it has helped me to always prepare for the worst case scenario. Anything better than that is a bonus. 

I know how you feel! For me, planning is everything and I can deal with almost anything as long as I have a plan! If I don't have a plan, I feel out of control! 

Well I had a wedding to plan whilst I was waiting for my results, you could see that as a positive or a negative obviously it's not great to be going through all of this so close to your wedding day but it did distract me. But aside from that, spending time with friends and family, working anything that made me feel normal!

My treatment has been a breeze so far! Mastectomy with immediate recon 5 weeks ago. Unfortunately, I found out two weeks ago that I need chemotherapy which I'll be starting on 23rd. That was a massive shock but I just roll with the punches and thank god I'm still here and doing well, given the circumstances!! 

Xx 

No problem, I know how scary it can be so whatever I can do to help others, I will do. 

Only you can judge the way that your appointment went but what I will tell you is, that I really don't think they'll hide anything from you. My consultant has been brutally honest the whole way through and whilst that may not be everyone's cup of tea, I've found that it has helped me to always prepare for the worst case scenario. Anything better than that is a bonus. 

I know how you feel! For me, planning is everything and I can deal with almost anything as long as I have a plan! If I don't have a plan, I feel out of control! 

Well I had a wedding to plan whilst I was waiting for my results, you could see that as a positive or a negative obviously it's not great to be going through all of this so close to your wedding day but it did distract me. But aside from that, spending time with friends and family, working anything that made me feel normal!

My treatment has been a breeze so far! Mastectomy with immediate recon 5 weeks ago. Unfortunately, I found out two weeks ago that I need chemotherapy which I'll be starting on 23rd. That was a massive shock but I just roll with the punches and thank god I'm still here and doing well, given the circumstances!! 

Xx