good luck with your appointment. I'm in same position I went to doctors today with some symptoms didn't think I had any lumps but doctor confirmed she found lumps this morning and sent a referral for breast clinic, they. Called me 2 hours later with appointment. So nervous but trying to stay positive. Let us know how you get on so I know what to expect at mine xx
Things happen so quickly once you are referred to the breast clinic that it is frightening, especially when you don't really know what to expect. I expect that your phone call so soon after you saw your GP was possibly to try and fit you in before the Christmas holiday, so don't read too much into it.
You will not be given a diagnosis at your first appointment. You will have a physical examination of both breasts, followed by a mammogram and/or an ultrasound, then possibly a biopsy. There will then be a wait of 1-2 weeks for your results. Most of us would agree that this is one of the scariest times of our entire cancer journey - there are so many unknowns.
It is always a good idea to take someone with you to all of your appointments if you can. It is also wise to draw up a list of questions for your consultant prior to each appointment.
Keep yourself as busy as possible, which shouldn't be hard at this time of year. Try to avoid looking at Google. If you must go on to the internet, make sure that you only look at reputable sites. Others are poorly researched and would scare the pants off you.
When is yor appointment for? Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
i am in a state of numbness and worried about when the emotions do kick in. I sobbed when the breast care nurse mentioned talking to the children but otherwise can’t seem to find the tears. They said it’s ductal and the tumour is grade 2 but said that can’t stage properly until the surgery. Xxx
stay strong you can get through this if ever need anyone to talk to we are all here. Il be thinking of you and hope it's good news from the MRI next week and rs better than they thought sar. Il be thinking of you over the Christmas. I'm ok thank you sar just keeping busy counting down the days til 28th xxx
Bless you Sar you must be in turmoil. If yours is the same diagnosis as me - ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS then they told me it is totally contained in the milk duct, is non invasive, not life threatening and totally treatable.
As I understand it DCIS is also called stage 0 cancer and sometimes referred to as pre cancer. After biopsy it is then graded 1-3. 1 is the lowest and often just take a wait and see approach. 2 is intermediate amd 3 high (like mine) when a lumpectomy is performed and I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy.
If you are unlucky enough to get this awful disease then these are the things you want to hear. My surgeon said I would be cured after treatment and they don't say that easily with cancer.
As you say yours is ductal I sincerely hope this is the case for you.
Wishing you and all on here well. Sending hugs xxx
Thank you Irene. It does sound like this cancer may be similar to yours. As my family history is so significant they have talked about the option of a double mastectomy and that is what I would opt for. I know that sounds a bit drastic but it would eliminate further risk xxx
I'm so sorry you're going through this at the moment.
I had a double masectomy 2 weeks ago, my cancer hasn't spread, so like you it seemed to some a bit drastic but I couldn't bare the thought of yearly mammograms and the fear of it returning.
By day 5 after op I was off codeine and just talking paracetamol and now 2 weeks later it's a bit uncomfortable.
Basically having a masectomy wasn't half as scary or painful as I had expected it to be.
We all react differently to a positive diagnosis. The emotions will kick in soon enough, so try not to worry about not having them yet.
They will send your tissue to pathology after surgery and this will confirm your grade for certain. Have you got any dates for your MRI or surgery yet?
Did your nurse give you any useful tips for telling the children? Most people don't tell their children until they have a firm diagnosis. They don't need chapter and verse. Just a simple explanation will suffice.
We all react differently to a positive diagnosis. The emotions will kick in soon enough, so try not to worry about not having them yet.
They will send your tissue to pathology after surgery and this will confirm your grade for certain. Have you got any dates for your MRI or surgery yet?
Did your nurse give you any useful tips for telling the children? Most people don't tell their children until they have a firm diagnosis. They don't need chapter and verse. Just a simple explanation will suffice.
