Hi Night Owl,

I'm still no further along. Today was the cut-off date for my 2 weeks from the initial referral request, but have now been told that the 2 wait week has turned into a 4 week wait. If I find out that it's because of my age I'll be furious. Why should we be treated any differently because of our age? I don't want to scare anybody but my friend has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and she's the same age as me, 30. So for them to not consider us as priority is absurd. I'm making a formal complaint to PALS tomorrow so I'll let you know how that goes! They're saying that it's due to a lack of radiographers at the clinic but they must be prioritising patients somehow. My mom found a lump last year that turned out to be a cyst and she's 53 so age is completely irrelevant.

Is that a Doctor at the breast clinic you're seeing or are you going back to your GP?

Keep us updated xx

It's ridiculous isn't it. It's the same with cervical cancer and pretty much any cancer tbh. It's about time they realised that it can happen to anyone. I get that the nhs is underfunded and I have so much respect for them but something needs to change  

Just my GP. The doctor that referred me was from a clinic and it's impossible to get an appointment with her any time soon so I'm gonna get it pushed through using the GP if possible. 

The ridiculous thing is I know it's probably just a cyst or fatty tissue or something but the waiting and not knowing is having an effect on me mentally, as I'm sure it is u. I just want to be told that it's the nothing it probably is so I can move on with my life and focus on my husband and father in law (father in law has just been diagnosed with bowel cancer)

Let me know what PALS say and keep me updated about your appointment 

Xxx

Hey Hun, 

It's good that they've put you on standby for a cancellation and thay your GP is keeping checks on you, but just as you are, it makes me so so angry that just because of our age we aren't classed as a priority! Just as you said, no wander survival rates are the lowest in our age group, no matter what you try to do, the Doctors always think that it cant possibly be something because we are so young. You'll be fine though sweetie, you got this! Even so, I think any suspicious lumps should be classed as a concern, at any age. It's not right at all, GPs need to be reading the stories of those young women who got dismissed so much that it was too late. 

Like I said though, you're gonna be fine! And you've got me here for you, so message me any time :) 

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear about your father in law, have they managed to spot the Bowel Cancer early? What treatment are they suggesting for him? I wish him the absolute best of luck with fighting this cruel disease. 

I'm doing okay, mum had her 4/6 chemo last week, it was her first T part of chemo so was really worried when it was first given that she may have an allergic reaction as that's what happens a lot with this chemo, but thankfully we hit the time that we knew she wouldn't have a reaction, so I'm glad she didn't! We also had an appointment with her breast surgeon, who is really happy that the lump has gone, and all that is left is dense breast tissue, so he wants to do something called a quadrant mastectomy, where he will take a quarter of the breast away, which he said will be more than enough to make sure all the cancer is removed. Hes also gonna reconstruct that breast, and also reconstruct the other so that they match, we've been teasing her about getting a free boob job, she's even having them both uplifted! Haha. She's doing well, I'm so proud of her, I didn't think it was possible to be even more proud of her before she got diagnosed, but seeing her fighting this has been something else completely. 

Remember, message me any time! Lots of love to you, and your family with your Father in Law. 

Alex xxxx

Hey hun, she really is kicking ***! Haha, I couldn't believe that after just one round of chemo, we couldn't even feel the lump. We've had an appointment for genetics come through, its 2 weeks away, where they'll look at mum and me and test for the breast cancer Gene. It's a little scary, but I suppose it's best to know as much as you can about something. 

I'm glad that your GP doesn't feel as though they are anything to worry about, but again, mentioning your age is just not on. Just because we are younger doesnt mean that we are invincible to these things. 6 weeks is a long time for you to be waiting and worrying, your think he would do the letter to get the appointment sooner just for peace of mind. Haha, the medical students are alot better than the doctors that become qualified years ago, cos they are aware of all the recent stories of cancer in the young, among other things with the health, it says something when a medical student knows it's a lump and your GP is questioning it doesnt it?! Haha. You know what's right for your breasts and body, so I'm glad he took that on board.

I'm glad that they managed to find your Father in Laws cancer quite soon and at a point where it hadn't spread, at least that will be in his favour. Poor man though, having to have to fight this for a second time. I'm so sorry to hear that the first time left him so poorly. It's horrible. Well I wish him the best of luck at kicking *** again, and I'm sure hes got this, he can beat it just one more time. 

Lots of love to you and your family 

Alex xxxx

I finally had my appointment today and received the all clear! She couldn't see anything abnormal on the ultrasound so the lumps are likely just new fibrous tissue. I am so relieved! Thank you everyone for all your support! Hope your mum continues to kick *** Alex xxxx

Oh Hun I'm so happy for you! Thank goodness! I'm so glad it wasnt anything and you've got the worry out the way now thankfully. And I'm glad you've been given the all clear there and then too, not having to wait for results etc now you can keep smiling with no worries! I hope I managed to help you a little and thank you so much, she had her last chemo today! She rang the bell, and the latest scan on Monday showed that the lump and even the dodgy shadowing around it had completely gone, I mean, can I finally say my mum is cancer free? It's crazy! 

Lots of love hun, and again I'm just so happy for you. 

Alex xxxx