Morning all 

Same as you all went to see doctor on Friday had letter today for breat clinic week today 

Is ut normal for appointment to come so fast 

I found one lump in right upper side of breast but during doctor exam found a further 2 in arm pit can not get it off my brain and had a melt down friday night 

Hey Missty,

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you’re having a tough time with worry.

like others have said, it’s all very normal to receive your referral very quickly. I received a referral review letter in the post the day after my doctors appointment, but then it took a few weeks to get my appointment (due to the waitlist in my area and recent strikes) whereas others received their appointments much quicker than me. 

I’m pleased you’ve managed to get an appointment so soon, but please don’t read anything into this. 

it’s incredibly hard to focus on anything else when you’re so anxious, but honestly, having a good cry and getting those emotions out are so important. I hope you have a good support network around you - do try and keep yourself busy if you can. Watch a few episodes of something to take your mind off things or take yourself out for a lovely walk somewhere pretty and soak up nature. 

Let us know how you get on, we are all here to chat anytime xx

Thank you. The surgeon did say I could decide on reconstruction later if I changed my mind. I opted against an implant because it won’t look the same anyway, so I didn’t see the point. The other option, using my own body tissue for reconstruction, is an I hair operation with long recovery time. I don’t want that. I’m self employed and I want to get the surgery done, recover, and get on with my life! It’s not as though I’m young and am planning in flashing my body around… however, I’m still gutted to be making that decision.

xx

Awwww I’m sorry you’re having make such a hard choice when you weren’t expecting it, at least you have the option if you decide to do later on. 

totally understand just wanting it over with, hopefully this will be the last bit of bad news and you can now get on with what’s planned without any other hiccups.

xx

Hi Lebell,

Yes, I’m glad they have recognised the full extent and are acting according- it’s just a shock as I thought I was going just to be told when my surgery would be. I was expecting everything to change. I didn’t have a date before but now know it will be on the 24th. 

I think I also found it difficult that the surgeon clearly still thought a mammoplasty would be fine, but had to go with what the MDT thought. I’m also scared at the prospect of chemo. She said I would have it depending on lymph nodes (which they currently think are clear) but also the size of the cancer- which confuses me slightly if they are removing it all?

Thank you for your support xx

Hi all, hope you don’t mind me jumping on this post. I have been reading your posts and you’re all very supportive of this in between stage and also the ongoing treatment following this period for those that need it. I am in awe of how you are all coping. 

I have just today been to my gp about my right breast. I have had an itchy burning nipple that’s comes in waves for around 5 mth, and just recently felt like my right breast has become tighter. My gp felt around both breasts and found a lump on my right breast. I was in shock as I haven’t felt a lump at all and for her to have found one has really knocked me. She has referred me to the breast clinic and now waiting for the app within the next 2 week. 

my head is an absolute mess, I’m trying to distract myself but as I have just had the app today I obvs can’t. Hopefully after I have digested it a bit more I will be calmer. 

Hi Sunflower,

I’m really sorry to hear that you’ve found yourself in this position. All of us here know exactly how you feel.

Once I’d visited my GP, I had a call very quickly from the breast clinic, and I was seen within a week. I’ve been one of the unlucky ones, as I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, but the majority of people referred to the breast clinic have a happier outcome- there are several types of lumps and reasons for them, and most of those aren’t cancerous. So the odds are currently in your favour!

The worst times for all of us have been the waiting, as our minds go crazy with worry. I have found it best to keep myself busy- luckily, I have a very busy work life, and when I’m at work there is no opportunity to think of anything else. Try to resist the temptation to Google symptoms etc - it doesn’t usually help!

My experiences at the clinics have been good in that everyone has been lovely, and really empathetic. Make sure to ask about anything that you are worried about, and take someone with you if it helps. 

wWshing you love and luck for whatever is ahead - this forum is so supportive, and I’ve found it really helpful to check in here regularly. I’m sure you will too xx

Hi Sunflower,

welcome to the forum, sorry your also finding yourself in a stressful waiting game.

unfortunately like goonergirl girl I also have cancer but so so many that are referred get fantastic news, the odds are definitely in your favour.

I would say try not to worry but we all know that’s far easier said than done.

I had my referral appointment exactly a week after my GP appointment and the staff were amazing, they were very caring but also very honest. I had my Ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy all done in the same appointment so it was all quick, although some areas are different and may have appointments on different days, that’s if you even need all of them (fingers crossed you don’t)

keep us all informed on how your getting on and if and when u want to chat we’re all here xx

Hi Sunflower,

A vey warm welcome to our forum.

I am sure that the fact that your GP has found a lump in your breast which you were unaware of, must have knocked you for six. As others have said, not all lumps are cancerous. Many are benign cysts, fibrous or hormonal changes. It is a fact that, out of every 10 people who attend the breast clinic, only 2 will get a cancer diagnosis. 

Despite these goo odds, waiting for a diagnosis, is always a trying time and one which tests our emotions to the limit. I do hope that your appointment comes through soon. Even with a cancer diagnosis, it is not the end of the world. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer within a year of each other. That was 14 years ago and I still lead life to the full.

I sincerely hope that nothing untoward is found when you do attend the clinic. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. In the meantime, we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Uhoh I have been constantly prodding at my chest! I have an ultrasound tomorrow.. I guess that is probably going to affect what they can see for me as well! Xx

Hi Steph,

It's so hard not to keep doing this. I hope that all goes well for you tomorrow and that all will still be clear on your ultrasound.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Goonergirl just catching up as I have not been on due to illness. Aw so sorry that you have had this new news. I am glad that they have a clearer picture of what is going on although I know this is not what anyone wants to hear. Hopefully you can just start to treat this now with whatever treatment is needed to help you. Sending you a virtual hug xx

Hi Goonergirl just catching up as I have not been on due to illness. Aw so sorry that you have had this new news. I am glad that they have a clearer picture of what is going on although I know this is not what anyone wants to hear. Hopefully you can just start to treat this now with whatever treatment is needed to help you. Sending you a virtual hug xx

Hi Ruby- yes, it’s been quite a shock, and I’m still trying to come to terms with it if I’m honest. I had my pre-op assessment yesterday, which made it all feel so real. I. Im trying to focus on the practical things that I need to sort out, but I’m acutely aware of every day passing being one day less with my body as it is- it’s hard xx

Aw I am sorry this is something you are having to go through. I am sending you love and hug xx

Hi GoonerGirl,

I have been thinking of you today and hope that all went well.

Here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine. All went ok and I am home and not in too much pain. I feel I can now look forward a bit, although I’m a bit anxious to know whether I’m going to need chemo. In the meantime I’m going to concentrate on recuperating.

Thank you for thinking of me xx

Hi GoonerGirl,

You will be anxious to get your post-surgical results. Did they say when these would be due back? Here's hoping that there will be no need for chemo, but if there is, you'll ace it. You will be glad to have your surgery behind you now and I'm glad to hear that you are not in too much pain - mine settled down quite quickly after surgery.

Just be kind to yourself and give yourself every chance to recuperate now - you'll be square eyed by the time you stop watching day-time telly!

Thinking of you and wishing you well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx.

Hi Jolamine,

The nurse told me that the results are generally back in 2 to 3 weeks. I’m sure it will be on my mind a lot, since I won’t have much going on to distract me. I have no idea how I’m going to occupy my time, as I’m usually such a busy person. The nurse told me that the worst thing (for my recovery) I can do is sit around. Usually if I wasn’t at work I’d be busying myself doing housework snd going to the gym, so I feel a bit lost. I do go for a walk of about an hour most days, so I’ll get outside for a short walk today and see how I feel. 

Best wishes xx

Hi GoonerGirl,

The nurse is right, but don't be tempted to lift anything heavy. Make sure to do your exercises regularly. You'll probably feel quite tired since your surgery, so you do need some rest and relaxation too. I hope that you managed to get out for a walk today.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

I did get out for a walk- only about 20 minutes as I didn’t want to go far in case I then suddenly felt too tired to make it home. Tomorrow I’ll either go for longer or a couple of times. As it was, I came home and then felt tired and have been having a rest/ nap in bed since.

I’ve had a couple of friends drop in unexpectedly today- neither of them was expecting to see me up and dressed! It was lovely to see them and has helped to pass the day. The nurse has also been to check my drains.

I feel better than I imagined for the first day , so that’s positive xx

Hi GoonerGirl,

It must have been lovely to see your friends today and I'm sure that they were very surprised to see you up and dressed. Catching up with friends is a great way to pass the time. I'm glad to hear that you managed out for a short walk too - well done! I hope that the nurse was happy with your drains.

I'm so glad to hear that you feel better than you thought that you would - it's great to have some positives already.

Take care,

Jolamine xx.

Hi Goonergirl

I am so glad that your surgery is now behind you and you are not finding the pain too much. It must be so hard to think about anything else, so glad you are getting support from friends. Maybe think of some new things to do that you never usually have time for like reading, painting, drawing, crafts, puzzles etc and of course binge on Netflix as needed with lots of nice nibbles. Just be kind to yourself mentally and physically. Take care xx