Hi Birdflown, 

Welcome to our forum.

Appointments for results can take a little longer than we are originally told. I know that this is always a worrying wait and every additional day feels like forever. It would be worth phoning your consultant's secretary on Monday, to ask whether or not the results are back. There can be a further delay when they are returned, as your consultant will then hold a MDT (multidisciplinary team) meeting to discuss their findings and to decide on the best treatment for you, if it proves to be cancer. These meetings are usually held on a weekly basis and involve all of the professionals, who are likely to be involved in your care, if needed.

It is only after this meeting that your consultant will give you your results. However, it is his/her secretary, who arranges appointments and does the work behind the scenes, so she will be the first person to know when they are back. She can also arrange an appointment for you to receive them, if they have been returned. Being in limbo like this is not pleasant, so don't hesitate to phone and find out.

Unfortunately, the breast can be tender for a while following a biopsy. I have not had a cyst, but from what I understand, they can sometimes grow quite quickly. Everything does start with a testing frenzy and there really are no explanations to be had about findings, until your test results come back. Once the results are known, you should get a detailed explanation of exactly what they find. Don't hesitate to ask, if you don't understand anything. You may also find it helpful to make a list of any questions you have before each appointment, as it's all too easy to forget something important in the heat of the moment.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine , thank you so much for your very informative and balanced reply. In this moment it has helped me to ground myself a little better and has also suggested productive actions I can take going forward. 
Sometimes when the mind is so full and worried it’s difficult to slow down and see things objectively…so thank you for helping me to slow down and see things more realistically. 
also I wasn’t aware of the entire process of the mdt meeting etc, so that makes sense now. Your suggestion to contact the consultant secretary to see if they can tell me anything further at this time. 
thankd again! 
I guess the brain does not like uncertainty! 
I will certainly reach out again…hopefully to say it is good news x 

Hi Birdflown,

I am glad that this has clarified things a little for you.

Dealing with the unknown, when so much could be at stake, is never easy. Most of us here would agree that it is one of the hardest parts of our cancer journey. I do hope that you get some answers from your phone call. The secretary will be unable to give you any results, but she should be able to let you know if they are back yet and when the MDT meetings are held. Not all lumps are cancerous. Many turn out to be benign cysts, or due to fibrous or hormonal changes. It is also a fact that 80% of people referred to the breast clinic, do not get a cancer diagnosis.

Here's hoping that your calcifications still turn out to be benign.

Always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, so I waited today just in case I got a call or letter in the post. When I heard nothing I did as you advised and called my consultants secretary. She looked into it and said that the consultant had been off on holiday but she could see that the results were back and she could see that a letter had been typed to me saying “benign breast changes!”. Wow the relief…even a dimension of relief I didn’t even realise I needed! I’m extremely grateful for these results and I also would like to sincerely thank you for putting a steady hand on my shoulder while I waited and also for your advice to call secretary! I wish everyone on here the warmest of love in their journeys, an invaluable resource x 

HI Birdflown,

It is good to hear that your phone call was useful and that you got the results that we all hope for.  I'm absolutely delighted for you. I can only imagine your relief tonight and hope that you plan to celebrate your good fortune.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx