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

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

Hey Steph, apologies for the delayed reply. I hope everything went smoothly at your ultrasound appointment and all is well.

we’re all here if you need to chat anytime 

xx

Hi Steph,

I hope that they managed to get a clear view on your ultrasound and that nothing untoward was found. As you know, we are thinking of you and we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine 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 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

Hi Gooner Girl,

That must have been so nice to catch up with some friends unexpectedly and hope it gave you a lovely boost. Well done on getting out for short walks too, very sensible not going too far so you can head home if you need to.

I agree with Ruby, a hobby like jigsaw puzzles or crafting would be great, or get yourself lost in a really good book. Really pleased to hear you’re feeling better than you thought you would at this point. Take each day as it comes lovely. 

sending lots of love and virtual hugs xx

Hi GoonerGirl,

I'm sorry to hear that you had difficulty sleeping last night. It sounds as if you've had a frustrating day today too. I found it tricky to judge when the nurses might arrive, which made it difficult to arrange anything else. I hope that you are not going stir crazy, being in the house most of the time.

Thinking of you and willing you a speedy recovery.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Ruby and Sandpiper,

I’m doing better than I anticipated, and feel reasonably well, so I’m feeling a bit frustrated at not being able to do much. I’m going to get out a puzzle tomorrow, and my daughter is going to be off work for the next week, so that will be nice. I’m not really one to watch telly much, so it will be nice to be able to spend some time with her and do some different things. I’ll get out for a walk again tomorrow. 
The nurse came again today and seemed to think that my drain will be able to come out in the next day or two, which will make me a bit more comfortable. Last night I hardly slept because of it. 
All in all I’m doing ok xx

Hi Jolamine,

I am finding it difficult being at home but not able to do what I’d like to do, but in the whole scheme of things it’s not that big a deal. I just like to be busy! It sounds as though I won’t have the  drain for much longer, which will give me more freedom to go out for walks etc as then the nurses won’t need to come. 

I’m expecting to have a rough night again tonight, but will just try to relax, as it doesn’t really matter, as long as I’m resting. I’m so itchy where the dressing and drain is, but there’s not really anything that can be done about that. It won’t be for long. Thankfully the nurse said I could take the binder off this evening, so I’m now wearing a bra and softie, which is helping me to feel a bit more normal xxx

Hi GoonerGirl,

I can understand how difficult you're finding it being at home, but constrained by what you're allowed to do. It's great to hear that your drain should soon be out - that should make sleeping a lot easier, as well as no longer restricting your freedom, due to nurses visits.  I'm sure that you'll feel happier in your bra and softie in preference to the binder. I hope that you manage to get some sleep tonight. 

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

I’ve just had my drain removed today, so no more waiting in for the nurse each day- Hooray!! I already feel more comfortable without it. Last night was better in terms of sleep too, so things are definitely looking up. I had some more visitors this morning and am feeling more like myself. The main thing that’s bothering me now is not being able to wash my hair, but that’s a minor issue in the whole scheme of things! xx

You will feel better every day ,I had bilateral mastectomies last year and my husband had to wash my hair and back .Keep doing your exercises too and you will be able to do all that pretty soon. Sleeping on my back was an issue but I

just put my pillows into a V shape and that helped a lot .xxx