Hi Gnomes.

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

This is always an anxious wait, without having unnecessary delays such as this. Once the referral has been sent it would be worth phoning your consultant's secretary again. If you explain what has happened and offer to take any cancellations, there is a good chance that you might be seen sooner. In the meantime, try to steer clear of google. Most of the information there is aimed at the more spectacular cases, won't apply to you and will only serve to worry you further. Keep yourself busy, either with work or a pastime. Only 20% of referrals to the breast clinic, turn out to be cancerous. Most cases are benign cysts, fibroadenoma or due to hormonal changes.

I sincerely hope that you manage to get an appointment 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 Jolamine,

Thank you so much for your kind words. Thankfully Christmas is here to keep me busy...my turn to do the cooking this year! 

My head is telling me the lump is most likely a fibroadenoma but I have now noticed what feels like a swelling under my breast that my gut says might be something more worrying and explain the shrinking breast. I'm honestly trying not to dwell on it as there's nothing I can do until I get seen, but that's a lot easier said than done as I'm sure you know!

I think the shock, frustration and anger at the whole situation will gradually pass but it will be hard to fully trust that doctor again which is really sad to me. I am usually trusting to a fault which is why I didn't do anything until almost the 3 week mark as I assumed the breast clinic was just overworked coming up to Christmas and I didn't want to add to their work load unnecessarily. 

Fingers crossed the doctor can sort something out when they get back to work after Christmas! 

Hope you have a lovely and relaxing Christmas this year xx

Hi Kris,

Just wanted to check in and see how your appointment went today? Hope you're doing ok tonight after it xx

Hi Jolamine,

Thank you so much for your kind words and advice. I haven't told the hospital that I am going private yet, but had to let my GP know so I could get a referral letter. I almost laughed reading it - she had listed the wrong breast, described the placement of the lump in a different area, and said their was no change in shape, size, or appearance when there is a big dent in my breast and it is noticeably smaller than the other one! This on top of forgetting to send the referral in the first place really doesn't fill me with confidence in her! 

I'm hoping that my GP doesn't somehow get me taken off the NHS list because if treatment is required that's definitely the route I would have to go, and just hope the consultant knows which breast to treat! Fingers crossed I get the all clear though - positive thinking is my mantra these days!

Hi Gnomes,

This certainly won't increase your confidence in your GP.

You are just as well to stay on the NHS list, until you get your private results. I'm sure that you.ve got a good tongue in your head, and will be well able to direct your consultant to the correct breast and lump placement, as well as giving a more accurate history.

I shall be thinking of you on Thursday and I hope that all goes well for you.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Gnomes83 all was well it was just fatty breast tissue so relieved xx

That's fantastic news! I'm so happy for you :)

 Gnomes83 thank you I celebrated with some wine lol good luck for tomorrow with yours what times your appointment xx

Perfect celebration! Mines not until 8pm but I will be relieved once it's over I'm sure! Xx

Hi Gnomes,

I hope that all went well with your appointment tonight.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine and Kris,

I just got back from my appointment and thankfully it was good news. Several cysts but nothing sinister, and the shrinkage is most likely hormonal. Now for a glass of wine to celebrate!

Thanks for all your support xx

That's great news enjoy your wine xx

That's great news enjoy your wine xx