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Newbie waiting for 2ww breast referral

PampersH

Hi All 

I was sat in bed at 440am doing the thing I know I should not do! Googling! So instead I'm channelling my anxiety into joining this forum to chat to similar folks. 

I'm waiting for the 2ww referral to the breast cancer clinic following an exam on Tuesday. I'd had a discomfort in my left boob for about 2 months which I was monitoring. Wasn't overly concerned but the ANP found a "5cm moveable mass with smooth edges" just above my nipple.

5cm??! I'm astonished that I didn't know it was there. I check my boobs regularly and have never noticed any lumps. I have had a bit of pressure when I went to bed (I'm a front sleeper), and also a bit of a niggling burning sensation which comes and goes. The ANP said I have very dense breasts, maybe its been lurking for a while and I've never known.

I work in a hospital lab. I know what it could potentially be (good or bad) and of course all logic is out of the window. I lost a friend to BC this year so that's in my mind at the moment.

I have the option of being referred to the breast unit at the hospital I work at, but then I'd have my colleagues handling my biopsies and then the doctors I work with would possibly have news about me which they are unable to discuss. It's a really good leading breast unit too but I feel maybe I'd want to go somewhere unrelated so I can compartmentalise my condition from my work, does that make sense?

Anyway I need to chase up the referral tomorrow according to my nhs app so I'll hopefully have more info then. 

The exam has left my poor boob sore and my anxiety is giving me headaches. I've read all the info on waiting, I'm well aware I'm catastrophising it but can't seem to shake that mindset at the minute.

It's my day off tomorrow so hopefully I can keep busy.

Best wishes to all 

X

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    Pampers 

    good luck to you my lovely hope it all turns out good news xx 

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    Hi PampersH,

    I just wanted to say hello and wish you luck for whatever is ahead. There are a few of us of here playing the waiting game for appointments, scans etc at the moment. The waiting is horrible, isn’t it?  I can’t think of much else at the moment other than when I’m working. I hope you don’t have too long to wait- the dilemma about being referred to your workplace hospital is understandable. Lots of love and let us know how you get on xx

  • in reply to laraj

    Thankyou :) feel a bit less stressed today, what will be will be and won't change by me brooding over it x

  • in reply to GoonerGirl68

    Thanks. After much agonising I decided to go with my workplace hospital so got my GP to change the referral. They could give me a rough timescale for my appointment whereas the other Trust couldn't due to lack of availability. So I'm in for the 25th September. 

    I spoke to my boss and was assured that any biopsies and sensitive info would be dealt with discretely and so the majority of my colleagues wouldn't even know. I guess at some point they will find out whether good or bad but I want time to process it first. 

    I'm a bit calmer this morning and I've been allowed to work from home. The exam made me so sore I've been walking round with a bag of ice down my top!

    Seems like there are a lot of us with anxious waits, it's good to know we are not alone. Best of luck to you too  xx

  • Offline in reply to PampersH

    That sounds like the best option, and knowing that sensitive information won’t be shared must have put your mind at rest a little. Good that you have an appointment date as well x

  • Offline in reply to PampersH

    I hope everything goes well for you, l have had breast surgery at the hospital unit l worked in, as a nurse, my surgeon is a friend but during appointments the dr pt relationship is kept. I have needed lots of surgery and appreciated his care and continuity. I’m sure that you will be able to keep your care private as patient confidentiality should be respected. 

  • in reply to GoonerGirl68

    Thankyou yeah I feel I've made the best decision and given how much pain Im in at the moment, the sooner the better really x

  • in reply to Alfieisastar

    Thankyou it's good to know there's others in a similar boat. I know I'll be well looked after so it's a bit silly of me to consider anywhere else. 

    At this point the discretion is out of the window, I'm in so much pain I don't care now, I just hope the mammogram isn't crippling x

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