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 

[@LauraRose85]‍ You aren't alone. I hope now you have had the ultrasound things will speed up for you and ease your worry. The waiting is the hardest part. 
 

I too found a lump on the underside of my breast, made an appointment with the GP and was referred on the 2WW cancer pathway. I had no pain just odd discomfort and a breast indentation. I was seen just over the 2 week mark. At my appointment I was examined by a consultant who then told me he wanted further tests. I was then on the same day sent to mammogram, mri, ultra sound who told me I also had spiky swollen lymph nodes. From the breast and arm out, they took 6 biopsy samples. Then I had another mammogram of the the clips they put in after the biopsies and of my chest wall. They made an appointment to see me a week later. I saw the consultant Wednesday and sadly as I suspected it's cancer. I'm booked in for a lumpectomy and removal of all my lymph nodes followed by chemo and targeted radio therapy. 
 

it's been a whirlwind and a shock to the system but the care and the time it's been done in from finding the lump to diagnosis is phenomenal. 
 

I hope you get some answers soon. Thinking of you xxx

Hey [@Linda2022.]‍ and [@Jamie90]‍‍, thanks a lot for your reply. Unfortunate that we went straight into a weekend after the scan as I know nothing is being done, however I've kept myself busy with my two little boys, we went to an outdoor pool today which was glorious and felt just like being on holiday which was exactly the distraction that I needed.

I'm really glad that both of your treatments are all heading in the right direction, it seems like it's waiting and waiting and then all systems go! How have your friends and family reacted? My parents are trying to show me their best poker face but I can tell that they are devastated, they keep sending me little messages which they wouldn't normally so I know I must be on their mind.

Keeping everything crossed that your treatment goes well and you both bounce back really quickly. I know it's a horrid situation but it is so nice to know I'm not alone in this, feels less frightening. Thanks for taking the time to reply xxx

Hi Laura, it's been a couple of weeks since your last post and I'm wondering how you're doing? Have you heard anything? I'm really happy that you had a lovely day with your little boys but not knowing what's going on in your own body is almost unbearable. I'm so sorry that your US experience was so disconcerting. Did you not see anyone afterwards, like a doctor or consultant? My radiologist and nurse chatted to me throughout the procedure and told me exactly what she was doing. I asked if she could see anything suspicious and she said she wouldn't be taking biopsies if she didn't think there was anything that needed to be checked further. Then I had another mammogram to check for the marker clip she had put in. Finally I saw a doctor who examined me, took my history, and explained what they could see from the MG and US. She told me the lump looked suspicious. A few days later I got a copy of the doctor's letter to my GP reporting on their findings and saying that the imaging indicated that the lump is malignant. I went back three weeks later for my diagnosis which didn't come as a surprise. Actually, I was relieved that although invasive, it didn't seem to have spread beyond the breast, although they couldn't tell if the lymph node in my armpit was affected and I need another biopsy. so I'm still playing the waiting game. Keeping busy and distracted really helps. I have my work, my wonderful family including our three beautiful grandchildren. I find comfort in singing and listening to music, and in my faith. I'm now on a mission to lose weight and boost my immune system ahead of chemo. I hope you can find ways to keep busy too. Thinking of you. Amy xx

[@Amy321]‍ the ultrasound was only two days ago. The problem is that my ultrasound was outsourced to a private ultrasound company, it was on a tiny industrial estate, not in a hospital or clinic, so there were no doctors or nurse and they could only do an ultrasound, no more.  I think because the lump was on my ribs they weren't sure whether it was a breast/bone/other so I didn't get sent to the breast clinic where I possibly could have had more done at one time.  It feels incredibly frustrating that others have had a quicker experience simply because their ultrasound was in a different setting and they had immediate biopsies and access to a consultant or nurse who could advise and support, and I will be giving this feedback to my GP. I feel rather upset about it!

I now recognise that my back pain and general exhaustion are part of this and have accepted that it's not good news - the waiting is just horrendous. I'm a single parent and have been in tears thinking about not living to see my boys grow up. Sorry for the low post, it's just all hit me today of all days and I just wish I could get answers now.

[@Amy321]‍ Your post and experience has upset me so I can't begin to imagine how you feel. 
 

Waiting is truly horrendous. Where abouts are you? It seems odd that the US is as sourced out? Could you perhaps speak to your GP to see if he can access any info or speed things up for you? You really do not need the added anxiety! 
 

Sending you a big hug, around if you need a chat. Xx