Waiting for breast clinic referral and scared!

Hope you can help.
I’ve been referred for a breast clinic appointment. I had noticed a patch of dark skin around my areola and texture changes. With it being so itchy I assumed it was eczema but after 2 weeks it had still not cleared. My husband noticed that my underarm was swollen so I visited my GP (yesterday) breast examination identified a mass in my breast (I check regularly due to family history so I’m really angry with myself for not spotting this), a lump in my arm pit and swollen lymph nodes so an urgent breast clinic referral was made.
The hospital called this morning with an appointment for the 30th but as my employer provides BUPA cover, I have been able to get an appointment for this Friday.
Since my Drs appointment yesterday my underarm is quite sore/throbbing which I presume is down to the prodding but as you can imagine my mind is all over the place and the Dr did not reassure me that it was nothing to worry about. When I asked if it was cancer he didn’t respond. 
I would like to know what the breast clinic appointment will look like and whether I will find out on Friday if it is cancer? My gut is telling me that it’s not looking good, primarily due to the concerns my doctor had. I would also like to know if the pain in my arm pit is normal after a breast exam (if my lymph nodes are swollen) or is this something else I need to be concerned about? I try to avoid google and thought it would be better to contact someone directly who can provide honest accurate advise...I just want someone to be honest and tell me what I’m dealing with so I can manage my expectations. Thanks you so much for all that you do to help people like myself.

  • Hello,

     

    I'm sorry you're in the same boat as me.

    I'm awaiting an ultrasound next week. The waiting is the worst part because nothing is certain so your mind wanders thinking the very worst.

    From all that I've read, they won't be able to say for certain it's cancerous but they will have a good idea and if there is anything they are not sure about then it will be biopsied for a definite diagnosis.

    Unfortunately that does mean another wait for a week or two.

     

    Wishing you all the best and let us know what happens. There seems to be some amazing people on here who can give you much needed support if needs be.

     

    Jen x

     

  • Thanks for replying Jen, I wish you all the best with your tests.

    its so hard when your constantly thinking the worst and everyone is telling you not to worry and that everything will be fine. 

    My boss had to send me home from work today as I just can’t focus and keep getting so upset.

    I will be sure to keep people updated, if it helps settle someone else’s mind then that’s a good thing 

    Good luck Jen

    xxx

  • I totally understand.

    It is so hard to focus or concentrate on anything else.

    Hopefully Friday will provide more answers and you will be able to clear your mind.

    I'll be sure to let you know how I get on to. It's such a worrying time and it's comforting to hear other people's stories.

     

    Sending a lot of positivity your way.

     

    Jen xxx

  • Hello ladies sorry to read both your posts it definitely is the worse time the not knowing and waiting. I found a lump in my left breast and had a two week referral. I had the appointment a week later. Which involved being examined then mammogram then ultrasound scan then two core biopsies. Then the following week I had the results which came back inconclusive. So it was decided to remove the lumps (the ultrasound picked up another lump) which happened just over two weeks later as a day case. Then two weeks later I had the results they were benign. No farther treatment but mammogram every year. Sending you both a hug please keep in touch x 

  • Hi Dlew,

    I'm really sorry to hear what your going through and I would like to help with any questions you may have.

    I've recently been through the process myself, i found the waiting for appointments and results hard too. It's completely understandable and "normal" to feel apprehensive, to have all the different scenarios flying through your mind and that no matter how many times people try reassuring you it just doesn't stop. 

    I was tender after the Dr's appointment too and in a small amount of pain, my Dr tried to reassure me that it was nothing to worry about and that my referral was just a precaution. 

    The clinics all look different but first of all you should see a nurse or dr who will examine you. You will then go for some tests. For me it was an ultrasound of the breast, a mammogram, then biopsies where they fitted me with a titanium clip on my lump and then finally another mammogram to check the clip was in place. The tests you have may vary from the above but you will be given a booklet of what to expect at reception when you arrive. I was then taken back to see the nurse I had seen at the start of my appointment and she told me to prepare myself for the results as it didn't look good but wasn't able to say for sure until the results came back.

    It's usually around 7 days before any results are back, but that is with the NHS, so more waiting I'm afraid. I found looking on the McMillan site informative. 

    Hope this goes some way to relieve your concerns about Friday, wishing you all the luck in the world and keep us posted.

  • Thankyou so much for your encouraging words

     I am really hoping that our results are as positive as yours.

    I will let you know.

    All the best.

     

    Jen x

  • I'm in a similar position. I found a lump in my breast, have seen my gp and have my appointment at the breast clinic tomorrow.

    I'm Trying not to let my mind consider the worse case scenario. My mum has lots of cysts in her breasts so I'm hoping that is what I have. What scares me is that the lump doesn't feel like how she describes her cysts to feel. Everyone keeps telling me it's going to be ok.

    I've Found it helps to keep busy. I work on the frontline NHS so that's kept me busy so far..!!! But now it's the night before the appointment, I'm so scared and can't think of anything else :(

    Hoping for the best for everybody here xxxx

  • Morning,

     

    I have had some pain in my left breast and under my arm for a couple of weeks, and yesterday in the shower found a small hard lump.  I got an uirgent appointment with my gp and they have referred me urgently to breast clinic.  I have just this minute received a call and my appointment is next Thurs 11th Oct.  I am so scared and cannot stop crying,  I keep expecting the worse, but your post has given me hope and I pray the outcome is the same as yours.

    x

  • Good luck today Snail, please let me know how you get on xx

  • You are what they call the emotional rollercoaster up one minute down the next with every thought going through your head. Nothing anyone says helps. I totally know how you feel as the ladies on here do as been there. Fingers crossed for you tomorrow most do turn out to be cysts. In fact it was only in August that I found another lump my first one was in April! Thankfully a cyst this time but it totally devastated me x