fast track suspected breast cancer referral

I wanted to say hi. Hospital has said they're short staffed and so fast track is a 3 week wait. 2 weeks gone now, my appointment is a week today.

I had left breast pain a few years back, but GP said nothing wrong, pain nothing to worry about etc. and I since had clear mammogram. So when this pain started at the beginning of December I wasn't overly concerned, I told myself it should be gone by Christmas.

But it didn't go and in January it got worse. I genuinely thought I'd pulled a muscle. I kept checking my breasts, but they were the same as ever. So I told myself all was OK.

Then at the beginning of February a hard area just appeared from nowhere in my top left breast. It absolutely wasn't there one week. And then it was the next week.

I saw a locum doctor within a week of finding it and she referred me. The look on her face, so very serious indeed. I didn't feel reassured. I think she suspected something.

So now I'm waiting. My left breast still hurts, I have pain in both armpits, my neck, my shoulder blade and now my thigh. I am absolutely terrified and fearing the worst.

I am so lucky to have a lovely husband. I have sworn him to secrecy until we know what we're dealing with. But I feel sick in the pit of my stomach and I'm absolutely terrified.

  • Hi

    I'm really sorry that you've had this news. You must still be trying to get your head around this. Hopefully the MRI comes soon and then that will allow you to focus on the treatment plan. 

    Sending lots of love. X

  • Really scared 

    please don't be scared I was diagnosed in July 22 by dec I was back to normal life 

    the shock of it is the worst it do get better I promise you 

    always here to chat love Lara ️

  • Thank you for your replies. I've had my MRI scan and next have a 1 hour follow up appointment with consultant at the end of next week.
    I'm feeling so downbeat. I hate the waiting and am fearing the worst. Nothing I read about lobular seems good.  And 1 hour seems long for an appointment, but I suppose there's so much to go through all the results and discuss and agree the treatment plan. I struggle with receiving so much unfamiliar, and so very important, information all at the same time. 

  • I'm really sorry you are going through this.

    The waiting is the worst part. Once you have a clear treatment plan you will begin to feel a bit more in control. I know - I have grade 3 IDC and have my 5th chemo next week.

    All my love

  • Hi, just wanted to wish you well for your appointment later this week. I know it's a really scary time, but try to keep busy and distracted and maybe go for a walk in the sunshine as that should help. Treatments are so effective now and I'm sure your team will put together a good plan for you. I have Grade 3 IDC, found a lump just by chance. Chemo seems to have worked really well and got rid of it, but I've just had a lumpectomy and lymph node clearance and waiting for pathology report to confirm if I'm really cancer free. Chemo was really not that bad at all. I had 7 cycles and the worst side effect was taste changes. I lost all my hair but that didn't really bother me and it's started growing back now (finished chemo mid-January). If you can, try to get as fit as you can before starting treatment as studies have shown that exercise can really help to cope with treatment and reduces the risk of recurrence by up to 50%. Saying a prayer for you and look forward to hearing how you get on. Big hug x

  • Thank you. They rang yesterday and brought my appointment forward by three days to first thing Tuesday. Half of me is pleased because less waiting. The other half of me thinks they may have done so because it is so bad and every day counts.

    My very best wishes to you too, good to read your treatment is well underway xx

  • Thank you for your good wishes and I am pleased you are well underway with your treatment. I hope you don't have to wait too long to hear the results from your pathology report.

    I understand what you are saying about keeping fit. I am trying to go out and walk each day. My appointment  has been brought forward to first thing Tuesday. Not long to wait now.

     Sending best wishes xx

  • Morning. Sorry, I misread your earlier post. I thought your appointment was this week. I'm pleased it's been brought forward to Tuesday. Don't worry about it being an hour. I think they allow extra time in case they're running late. They may send you to have bloods taken and you may have a meeting with a breast care nurse who will answer any questions although you'll probably only think of things to ask after you've left! Make sure you get a phone number to call and never hesitate to call if you're concerned or have questions. They are happy to help. I've found the Macmillan support line really excellent too when I've been worried or just needed to talk through stuff with someone. Ask if you can record your appointments on your phone. They will probably say no, but it's worth asking. Take a pen and paper to write information down, or have someone with you to make notes for you. xx