Hello, I'm new here, I read through this entire thread yesterday before deciding I should maybe post. Sorry to hear about those of you who have had bad news the last couple of months. I had an appointment at at the GP (although I think I saw a "Physician's Assistant" rather than a GP) on Tuesday as I found a lump on my left breast. Well I say on the breast, it is in a weird place, basically right underneath in the crease, where the breast joins to my chest. It feels firm and I can't tell if it moves or not really, the skin over the top obviously moves and I can't really work out if the lump is moving too. PA said she didn't think it felt like anything nasty but for reassurance has done the urgent referral thing anyway. I had a text Wednesday morning confirming they'd be in touch but as yet, no phone call and I'm feeling so jittery about it all. Trying to keep busy etc but I would just like to know really. I'm 35, and have two young kids. My husband is being good, although is sort of relentlessly positive which I am finding a bit annoying although I know he is just trying to stop me panicking. I haven't told my mum even though I normally tell her everything. I just don't want to worry her unnecessarily. She has lost a lot of people to breast cancer and also is a retired GP so will know more than I do. Anyway, any tips on how to cope with this waiting....? Sorry for long post.

Hi Mamabird,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear about your symptoms and the worry that this is causing you. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts, or due to fibrous or hormonal changes. It is a fact that only 20% of the people who attend the breast clinic, will receive a cancer diagnosis. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in my right breast. Both of these lumps were on the underside and near the mid-line of my breast. These occurred within a year of one another. I had lost my mum to secondary breast cancer, which had spread to her liver, lungs, bone and brain, so I was naturally terrified when I was diagnosed. I also had 2 young teenage children and I worried about their future. 

Cancer treatments have made great advances since my mum's day and there was just no comparison between the diagnosis, treatment and after care, which we both experienced. Instead of dying with cancer, many people are now living with it. I am 14 years cancer free and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

You should normally get your appointment within 2 weeks from the date of referral. Most of us get annoyed by our partner's positivity at this stage, but I'm sure that it is well-meant. 

I see that you have been given some excellent advice from Sandpiper, about coping strategies. I would also add to steer clear of consulting "Dr Google". Much of the information here is aimed at the more spectacular cases, which are not applicable to you and will only serve to scare you further, without giving you any answers.

I do hope that your appointment comes through soon and that nothing untoward is found.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi ivy,

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry to hear why you're here.

Cancer feeds on hormones, which is why you've been advised to stop taking your HRT. It sounds as if you already have your hands full with your son and your mum. You are doing the right thing by getting this investigated and also by steering clear of google. Much of the information is based on the more spectacular cases, is inappropriate to you, won't give you any answers and will scare you even further. They don't necessarily see everyone within 2 weeks. You will usually get your appointment date through within 2 weeks from the date of referral, but you may have to wait a further week or two for the actual appointment date, in some areas. 

Most of us who have been through cancer would agree that waiting in limbo like this, is one of the worst parts of our cancer journey.  Irrespective of the outcome, you will feel better once you have an answer.

Try to keep yourself preoccupied with work or pleasure, just to try and take your mind off the wait. I sincerely hope that your appointment comes through soon. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mamabird,

I am sorry to hear that you have to wait until the end of the month for your appointment, but at least you now have it and can start a countdown to your actual consultation. 

Here's hoping that nothing untoward is found.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mamabird and thank you :) 

I’m sorry that you have had to wait so long for an appointment and still have a wait. It is such a worry and hard to stop my mind going off into “what if” land. 
Yes to keeping busy, there are two psychotic Shih Tzus to add also so not really time to google as such, which I think is a good thing. 
How are you feeling? 

I’m hoping it’s nothing serious but have had this nagging thing for a year or so that something is going on in my body. 
I had a biopsy on my submandibular gland and I had reactive lymph nodes and ever since, my blood tests always come back with a low white count. Low neutrophils which I think is something to do with my immune system. 
I don’t know if it is linked or whether I’m imagining it but I thought something might be happening. 
I guess I should stop thinking about it and distract myself. I have ADHD and can get a bit hyper focused on things, just don’t want it to be this! 
I hope you are ok :) xxx

Hi Ivy,

I’m in Surrey too, and I think it is generally a very quick referral- mine certainly was. 

I hope you are able to keep yourself occupied while you wait. I went to the doctors on a Thursday, got a call on the Friday and my first hospital appointment was the following Thursday. It all happened very quickly. I don’t know where I’m Surrey you are, but feel free to message me about anything xx

Hi Jolamine and thank you :) 

That makes sense about the HRT. I’m not going to take anymore until I get some more info at the appointment, hopefully in the not too distant future. 
BBC iplayer have uploaded loads of Dr Who episodes and I’m a bit of a nerd, so I think that is what I am going to binge watch to get through the wait! 
thanks again xxx

Hi GoonerGirl, 

I’m in Egham, sort of near Heathrow way but on the Surrey side. Thank you so much :) 

The Dr did say “they could call tomorrow so keep your phone near you” which is promising though my paranoid head thinks that it could be an ominous sign! I’m overthinking it, I know. 
Thanks again xxx

Personally I don’t think it’s an ominous sign when they call you quickly. You are supposed to be seen within two weeks, and in Surrey they seem to be on top of that at the moment. I first saw my doctor on 8th September, and was diagnosed, and had surgery on 24th October. So all happened really quickly. 

xx

Oh wow, that is super fast. Thank you, my brain is my own worst enemy at times. I hope that you are recovering from the surgery well xxx

Hi Ivy,

Dr Who sounds like the ideal thing to binge watch on. I have just read your reply to GoonerGirl - ignore your paranoid head. Getting an appointment quickly has no significance, as far as your possible outcome is concerned.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello Ivy ,having an appointment quickly is brilliant.I was seen in July last year and had surgery in September,which I thought was pretty efficient. Welsh NHS been excellent.Good luck and keep up the positive vibes xx

Hello Ivy ,having an appointment quickly is brilliant.I was seen in July last year and had surgery in September,which I thought was pretty efficient. Welsh NHS been excellent.Good luck and keep up the positive vibes xx

Thanks so much! Trying to keep up the positive vibes :)

The hospital just called and I go next Thursday 23rd at 9.50. She said that I was referred under the 2 week rule so they will do the tests and tell me the results on the day. After reading experiences on here, I assume she means a 'rough idea' rather than actual results. Unless of course, it is something routine and not to worry about.

Thank you for all the supportive replies. I will be watching Dr Who for a week and having lots of baths. I hope everyone is having a good day today. The sun is out here in Surrey, which is a lovely change from the rain we have had.

Sending love to you all and thank you for this forum and the lovely ladies in it 

xxx

Hi Ivy,

I'm delighted to hear that you've got your appointment now. I suspect that you're right, as you are likely to have to wait for definite results, if you need a biopsy. Let's hope that this is something routine and nothing to worry about. Enjoy your baths and your Dr Who.

Unfortunately, we're dull and rainy up north and we're just waiting for all this heavy snow that's forecast.

Please let us know how you fare on Thursday.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Great news Ivy , fingers crossed all will be well . Enjoy the nice weather ,sunny and cold with us . Keep in touch xx

Hi Ivy,

that’s great news, similar to myself my appointment was a week after my GP appointment so it’s good you don’t have to wait too long, less time to worry and sit in Limbo.

I doubt they would be able to tell you anything definitive at your appointment unless (fingers crossed) it’s nothing to worry about. If they do a biopsy it can take around 2 weeks to get the results back. At my appointment they told me it wasn’t looking good but couldn’t say anything for certain until they had my biopsy results back, however I think if all looks ok and they don’t have any concerns they will tell you then and there. All I will say is even if you do need a biopsy try not to think the worst, they will do one even if it’s just the slightest chance so the odds will still be in your favour.

the waiting game is awful, even though my news was bad I still felt enormous relief at the fact I new for certain.

I was bad and googled everything possible 10x over so it’s definitely better not to, so many things vary person to person too so better not to read anything.

I would just try to keep as “normal” as you possibly can and take time for yourself, watching tv, a book, or going for a nice walk or few drinks/coffee with friends will help to pass time.

if you need anything we are all here, I find it definitely helped talking to people going through the same wait and experiences.

sending lots of love xx

Hi Ivy,

im really pleased to hear that you have an appointment. The waiting is always the worst part, so keep yourself busy, as everyone else has said. We are all here for you when you want to chat.

I didn’t get the results on the day, but did know that I had 2 lesions as they carried out biopsies in 2 positions. I got the results at an appointment with the consultant about a weeks later.

Back to rain in Surrey tomorrow , so it may be a Dr Who day! xx

Thank you all :) xxx

I'm happy that in a weeks time, I will know more of what is going on. Most of the time, I convince myself that it is a cyst and it's only when I get dressed and catch a glimpse in the mirror that I get the willies. The puckering around the lump is quite a lot and its right above my nipple so not hard to miss. I thought it was stretch marks, as it looks a bit like that or it did. I can see that it isn't now and that is bothering me.

I hate to admit it but I have been googling :( I know that I shouldn't. It's like an obsession to find a pic of someone who has the same looking boob and it turned out to be ok. I need to stop doing that! I'm sure that it is going to be nothing but I guess there is that little doubt there which like to take up brain space.

I hope you all are having good days :) xxx

Hi, 

the waiting is very much like a rollercoaster, one day I was positive it was nothing the next I was doom and gloom lol, not too long for you to wait though.

I had puckering on my breast, it was also close to the nipple, mine was just below my left nipple but turns out it’s only around 1cm behind it.

I was the same everything I seen with regards to any puckering indicated cancer, but it’s normally only those stories you see so try not to think the worst until you actually have some answers or advice after you’ve been seen.

I really hope the wait isn’t too bad for you and wishing the time goes quickly x

Thank you and yes, I'm so grateful that it isn't a long wait xxx

When the Dr saw me, she had me bend over quite a few times, in a sitting position and I think it was to see if the puckered skin stayed puckered? Not too sure. I should have asked really but she said that it wasn't stretch marks, which I was convinced it was.

Ah, I will try and stop thinking about it and focus on other things! I am quite a 'cysty' person as I had a Bartholins gland removed because of a cyst and they saw one on my ovary a few years ago. Thank you, you are right xx I remember when I had the biopsy on my saliva gland, all Google wanted to do was tell me I was a goner. I should have learnt from that one really :)

I have a Legs, Bums and Tums class tomorrow so that will distract me. Also the Instructor is a beast, so I will be in agony all weekend with overworked muscles. That will certainly be a distraction! xxx

Hiya i also have this and have been trying to find photos but i cant seem to find any. My areola/nipple keeps pukkering and it feels like my one boob goes tight when its happening. I have my appoitment on monday and ive got a horrible gut feeling more is going on :(

Hi all, sorry I've been really quiet, just trying to be busy whilst waiting for my appointment. I hope those of you with appointments this week get the answers you need. It seems like other parts of the country have shorter wait times so that's good, at least. Hope you are all having an OK weekend (weather here is gross!) X