Newbie…unsure/in denial?

Hi all,

First post so would really appreciate your thoughts. I've got a results appointment this Friday after waiting nearly 3 weeks since visiting the 'one stop shop' and this week is dragging as you can imagine. 

In short, went to GP after finding a lump in my left boob and was seen in the breast clinic 3 days later (so lucky I know to be seen so quickly). Not long into the ultrasound the consultant said he thought  the lump was suspicious, and later said the mammogram done that day confirmed the same. They did biopsies of the lump and lymph node...and put a metal clip marker in...and I'm currently awaiting the results.
He told me on the same day they would look to do a reduction though at this stage not clear whether chemo would be done before or after. 

So...I would be so grateful for your insight into what questions I should be asking on Friday. As you can probably tell this is all completely new and unfamiliar territory. This time a fortnight ago I was planning my return to work after a year on maternity leave, and of course this is all now up in the air. I have a baby girl who has just had her first birthday. 
 

Also (perhaps I'm in a bit of denial!), what are the chances the biopsy could come back clear? That is, can false positives happen whereby the ultrasounds and mammograms show something suspicious that actually turns out to be benign? I have no first degree relatives with BC and am 33. 
 

Thanks for taking the time to read this! Xx

Parents
  • My wife went through the same during her initial appointment. Got told the same as you.

    The breast specialist's words were, "do not go expecting it to be anything other than malignant".

    The simple truth is, a biopsy is the only 100% answer. Experience, scans etc can only tell them so much, but the brutal truth is they are rarely wrong. It does happen, as there are stories the internet over, but those people are in a small minority.

    Use this time to at least try and wrap your head around what will get said at the next appointment so you're not having to pick yourself up twice from the floor after being told the news. All that said, there is still a slither of hope and nothing is currently nailed on, and someone has to be in that small minority of people, so why not you? But don't go pinning all your hopes on it.

Reply
  • My wife went through the same during her initial appointment. Got told the same as you.

    The breast specialist's words were, "do not go expecting it to be anything other than malignant".

    The simple truth is, a biopsy is the only 100% answer. Experience, scans etc can only tell them so much, but the brutal truth is they are rarely wrong. It does happen, as there are stories the internet over, but those people are in a small minority.

    Use this time to at least try and wrap your head around what will get said at the next appointment so you're not having to pick yourself up twice from the floor after being told the news. All that said, there is still a slither of hope and nothing is currently nailed on, and someone has to be in that small minority of people, so why not you? But don't go pinning all your hopes on it.

Children
  • Hi and thank you. That's helpful and like you say I've been trying to use the past few days to better understand the situation and what treatment could look like if it does come back a cancer. 
     

    Im not sure how to tag you all individually to say thank you being a newbie (I'm sure I'll get the hang of it!) though I really appreciate your replies, and would be grateful for any tips and insights for the next steps depending on how Friday goes. Will update again soon, thanks again xx