Waiting for biopsy results

Hi, 

I've been lurking here a couple of days now. I am currently waiting for biopsy results. I originally went to GP. for a lump in breast, suspected cyst, and was referred to the breast clinic.  I'm 37 and pretty fit, hardly ever at the doctor at all. In fact they commented they have barely any info on me!

At my referral appointment, last Thursday, the consultant did a check up and asked if I could return the next morning for an ultrasound. Being a bit younger, I guess, I didn't think too much of it but later that evening wondered more about the urgent referral.

I did go that next morning, Friday, expecting to have an ultrasound only. During the ultrasound, done by a different consultant, I realised they were taking lots of screenshots of my lump area. They also did a thorough scan of my underarm area and took a screenshot there too. The consultant then said I needed a biopsy and they would do it there and then!

Like so many here I was shocked and went into autopilot mode I think. They did the biopsy - it wasn't too bad really but the sounds were horrific - and put a titanium clip where the lump is. Then they sent me across the hall for a mammogram. The mammogram in itself was ok but I fainted halfway through as I'm pretty squeemish and they were squishing my biopsied boob! I joked later that I must be one of those goats that faints when they sense danger as everyone in the room had gotten all serious and I was like ok goodbye. When I came to, we finished up and a nurse said 'hmmmm' then another nurse asked me if I had anyone with me or was I alone because I would need to go see the original consultant. 

Luckily my mum was with me. We went through and the consultant as good as told me I might have cancer. Of course I was shocked but I'm proud of myself as I stayed very calm. They said they'd need to see the biopsy results to confirm but that it's definitely not a cyst and that the ultrasound consultant felt it was something "suspicious". They then gave me an appointment for my results and told me that they like to let people know it might not be good news in advance so they have time to prepare. They also offered me contact numbers but at the time I said no, let's see at the results appointment what we're dealing with, and I somewhat regret that now but hey ho.

Of course once I got home I cried, the mornings are the worst because it's the first thing on my mind when I get up and I force myself to dress and smile and behave like a functioning adult. I can't believe this is happening to me, today I walked 6 miles no problem feeling perfectly fine (apart from the bruised and sore biopsied boob)! 

It's 4 days until my results appointment, so here I am, on the internet, wondering if anyone else is out there in the same position and can we support each other a bit. I'm currently in that maddening space where I swing between thinking buckle up lassie and prepare for the worst and maybe I'll turn up and they'll say oops it's just fatty tissue, no dramas! 

Hugs to all who find themselves on this forum. It's frankly quite *** but at least we can find some ways to laugh, r.e. fainting goats :/

Jen x

Parents
  • Hey. Sorry to hear you're in limbo, I'm in the same boat by the looks of things. I had an ultrasound and was told my lump looks suspicious because of the blood flow through it, however they're unsure whether it's breast cancer or a soft tissue sarcoma due to the placement being just below my bra line, so I have the sarcoma specialists giving me another ultrasound on Tuesday and possibly further testing, and the breast clinic on Wednesday. Fun week for me! I've just turned 37 so no spring chicken but definitely don't feel old enough to have cancer. My health, unlike yours, hasn't been great - I feel sick when I eat and have abdominal pain frequently and pain in my breast, although a part of me wonders if it could actually be anxiety rather than anything sinister. My mind is going a mile a minute!

    Waiting ia absolutely the worst part (although being told you might have cancer isn't much fun really, is it), and I hope we both get some sort of plan of action soon.  The mornings and right before bed are the worst for me as my brain just wants information, so I end up on Google and fearing the worst.

    I hope you're okay, and have a good strong support system around you. Has your mum been supportive? Keep me updated, I'd like to know how you get on and happy to chat whilst we both wait for more concrete results.

Reply
  • Hey. Sorry to hear you're in limbo, I'm in the same boat by the looks of things. I had an ultrasound and was told my lump looks suspicious because of the blood flow through it, however they're unsure whether it's breast cancer or a soft tissue sarcoma due to the placement being just below my bra line, so I have the sarcoma specialists giving me another ultrasound on Tuesday and possibly further testing, and the breast clinic on Wednesday. Fun week for me! I've just turned 37 so no spring chicken but definitely don't feel old enough to have cancer. My health, unlike yours, hasn't been great - I feel sick when I eat and have abdominal pain frequently and pain in my breast, although a part of me wonders if it could actually be anxiety rather than anything sinister. My mind is going a mile a minute!

    Waiting ia absolutely the worst part (although being told you might have cancer isn't much fun really, is it), and I hope we both get some sort of plan of action soon.  The mornings and right before bed are the worst for me as my brain just wants information, so I end up on Google and fearing the worst.

    I hope you're okay, and have a good strong support system around you. Has your mum been supportive? Keep me updated, I'd like to know how you get on and happy to chat whilst we both wait for more concrete results.

Children
  • Hi, thanks for your reply. It sucks, no doubt about it. Have you tried anything to help with the anxiety? Maybe doctor can give something, I think if ever there was a time for it it would be now? If you can manage it, the walking has helped, or at least it takes my mind off it for a while. Yes, I've told a few close folk but everyone seems to be having their own reaction, I guess they also need to deal with it. It's weird though because you've nothing concrete yet to tell anyone. Hope you get sorted out fast xx