Any one else feel that all they do these days is wait?

Hello,

I'm not sure why I'm posting really...other than wanting to chat to someone else who is playing the waiting game.

I had a routine mammogram in Feb, that was a Monday and on the Friday received a letter calling me back in for further tests.

Went in a fortnight later and had some fluid drained then a VAB, and was told I'd get a phone call with results within 1-2 weeks...so from the end of the 1st week was staring at my phone and constantly picking it up (as everyone knows that helps to attract phone calls, lol)...then on the 15th day of waiting I received a letter saying I had an appointment with the breast consultant booked a fortnight later.

So then spent 2 weeks twiddling my thumbs and checking the calendar on my phone every few hours, lol, as obviously that helps the time go quicker too!

Had the appointment and was told I needed a VAE...at which point I was thinking oh no, not that blooming vacuum again! I was told I'd be getting a lot more local anaesthetic and the pressure would be less than before (which made me feel a little happier! But if the pressure was less I certainly didn't notice it, lol). So had another 2 week wait for that appointment, and was told I'd receive a phone call with my clinic appointment within 1-2 weeks. I'm now coming up to the end of that and still haven't heard anything. 

I just realised the other day that I've spent the last 9 weeks waiting and either thinking about my boobs, or having them squished, prodded, poked and vacuumed. And I kind of feel as if my life is on hold. I'm obviously still getting on with things, but it's almost as if I'm not fully involved as my mind is always on the waiting...and I'm a bit annoyed with myself for letting it take over so much.

Sorry for the long drawn out story, but would be nice to chat to others who are waiting too.

Hugs

Cherry x

  • Hi Sue,

    I've just got off the phone with the consultant, it's LCIS, so just yearly mammograms for five years :) 

    I asked quite a lot of questions which made me feel a bit guilty as it probably sounded as if I was doubting the consultant's knowledge. But after reading so much I was concerned about some of the issues I'd come across. A lot of articles suggest that LCIS increases the risk of invasive lobular cancer in both breasts, and that this is hard to identify with mammograms and ultrasound, but the consultant said this isn't correct. She said it has no influence on the other breast, and that it causes microcalcifications so can be picked on mammograms (which is how this was picked up), so that's good to know.

    So I feel a bit guilty again for worrying so much, but at least it's good news and I can finally go back to being fully present in my own life, yay! :)

    I really hope it's good news for you too! Let me know how you get on, I've my finger's crossed for you!

    Take care

    Hugs

    Cherry x

  • Hi cherry, yes me too , waiting is very long first seen surgeon 17/10/22. For BC. Biopsy taken same day told suspicious 2 weeks later got results left side her 2++  put on aromatase inhibitor. Waited so long surgery 20/12/22. Told cancer free January 23. Referred to oncology for radiotherapy now had 3 appointment changes then given a phone consultation mid April. Tried to contact Onc extremely  worried got a date for plan scan only for radiologist to say they will contact Onc for referral as many questions fear of damage to my left lung as unfortunately had 2/3 rds pnumonectomy due to tuberculosis in 1968 to the right lung . It has achieved appointment  for 2 weeks time when should meet oncologist I have to decide if I go ahead with treatment. Not given alternative I an 66 so scared. Hope this finds you well. Regards pip.

  • Hi Cherry,

    That is good news, I'm so pleased that you know what to do now and can get on with your life.

    It also probably goes to prove that we shouldn't believe everything we read on 'google' however, with an enquiring mind, it's hard to deny its existence and not try to find things out for ourselves whilst we wait isn't it?

    Did you have an extra procedure following your biopsy to remove extra tissue or did they just diagnose you from the VAB or VAE? 
     

    X

  • Hi Pip,

    I'm so sorry for the late reply, I really hope that you're doing ok?

    It sounds as if you've been through the mill a bit, you poor thing.

    I did get my results, and it was good news for me, just monitoring now for the next five years. I wish everyone could get good news.

    I hope you've got some support at home, or on here...there are lots of lovely ladies on here who are very supportive and are there to chat when you need them.

    Keep us updated and let us know how you're getting on. I'll have my finger's crossed for you that everything goes ok.

    Sending you a big hug.

    Cherry x

  • Hi Sue,

    Sorry for the late reply. I had a VAB and then they wanted to do the excision because it was considered a high risk lesion, but they found the same on the tissue from the excision, so it's the same diagnosis as before. But I'm glad they did it as they needed to remove all the tissue anyway.

    I did receive my follow-up letter on Saturday and that had a bit more detail in it, and a couple of other abnormal areas they'd found from the excision that weren't on the VAB, but they were both benign so they're more concerned with the FEA and LCIS, but now they removed all the tissue apparently it's nothing to worry about...well, I guess a bit of a worry or they wouldn't check every year, but nothing too serious I suppose.

    Do you have an appointment date yet? Let me know how you get on. I really hope you get good news too.

    Hugs

    Cherry x