Emergency referral

A couple of weeks ago , I had horrendous pain in my right breast, did not think much of it. I then started to have a sore bleeding nipple and very flaky skin around the nipple area. I was in a lot of pain so I made a appointment to see my gap who was truly amazing. She tried to examine me but had no luck as every time she tried to examine me I was crying. She said she thought it was a infection so gave me antibiotics and cream. My right breast was also boiling hot and she said it looked different to my left one. She made  appointment for me to come back 3 days later .. I went back to see her 3 days later and there was no improvement she put me on more antibiotics made me another appointment for a week later and said if no improvement she would refer me. I finished work and collapsed as I was really poorly and could not go back to work the next day as I was felt so unwell. I rested then went back to see the doctor and she said I am referring you as your right breast is still hot and felt there was still different to left one. She also felt a lump near my armpit. I have my appointment come through but I have so much paperwork to fill in. I am so scared, my partner looks worried but keeps trying to not show it. What do I do to cope with it as I don’t want to feel this way. Plus I just don’t sleep as it’s on my mind, plus I thought the infection had gone but it’s still there. 

  • Hi Catlady2,

    I'm really sorry that you have had such discomfort and that the creams and antibiotics aren't working. If the paperwork is difficult, maybe you could ask a friend or relative to look them over for you and invite them to come with you to the next appointment for moral support. 

    Try not to worry and I wish you all the best,

    Moderator Anastasia

  • I saw this and wondered how you are doing ? 

    I have a lump and a bleeding nipple and get some results on Friday, so scared and only told my husband ! 

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    Hi Catlady and Shinyjewels,

    I see that both of you are fairly new to the forum, so welcome.

    I am sorry to hear about the trouble that you are both having with your breasts. Many people don’t want to tell friends and family until they have all of their test results back and, know what treatment is planned.

    It is not unusual for them to tell their partner before this, as it makes it so much easier if you have someone who you can talk to about how you are feeling, both physically and emotionally. Many partners try to *** foot about us, assuring us that all will be fine, but if you actually sit down together and talk about it, you will find that they are usually just as scared as you are.

    I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer over the past 9 years, so know just how worried you are both feeling at the moment. It is quite normal for us to cry a lot at this stage, to have difficulty sleeping and, for our emotions to be all over the place. This normally improves once you know exactly what you are dealing with.

    Can you take someone with you to your appointments? This is always helpful, especially when you are going to get results. It can also be helpful to draw up a list of questions for your consultant before each appointment.

    I do hope that you both get on ok and, that your results don’t show up anything untoward.

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

    Catlady, I don’t know when you are due to see the doctors, but I hope that it all goes well.

    Shinyjewels, I shall be thinking of you when you get your results on Friday.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Thank you very much for your reply Jolamine it was very kind of you to take time to reply. 

    I’ve asked my husband to come with me Friday, he doesn’t really want to talk about it much and tries to make out like it will be nothing serious, so hard not to think the worst! I feel like I’m in this weird bubble, not quite with it ! 

    Another thing I’m worried about is that I haven’t felt great the last few weeks with tight chest, out of breath easily but thinking it could be hay fever! 

    Anyway thank you again and so sorry to hear you have had to go through that twice, how are you now ? 

     

     

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    Hi Shinyjewels,

    If your husband accompanies you, you may find that he will talk more about it afterwards. It also helps you, in that you don't have to relay everything that was said at your appointment to him afterwards, as you will find that you will forget a lot of what is said during your consultation. It is not at all unusual for you to think the worst at this stage, but you will find it easier if you do get a cancer diagnosis and know exactly what you are dealing with. If there is nothing untoward, your emotions will return to normal very quickly.

    You may also find it helpful to involve your husband in drawing up a list of questions for your consultant. These will change from one visit to the next, so you really need to draw up a new list for each visit. He may think of questions that you don't. My hubby always comes with me to my appointments. I  take two copies of my questions and give him the duplicate. As I ask the questions he writes down the answers. This saves a lot of confusion in the long run.

    I hope that the way you are feeling recently is just down to Hayfever. I understand that the season has started very early this year.

    I am feeling great to-day. I had two excisional biopsies for Melanoma last Monday and returned to get my stitches out to-day. I was told to make a 4 week return appointment to get my results, but when it arrived in the post it was for 4 months. I phoned my consultant's secretary, who told me that this was the first date available. She advised me to keep phoning her to see if there were any cancellations.

    When I told the nuse this today, she said that the consultant was in the unit at that time. He came in and spoke to me, then went and phoned his secretary. When he came back, he told me that he had sent my biopsies away as urgent and, the results were already back. He told me that neither were cancerous, although they had looked as if they were and there were some complexities in the skin. He said that he wanted to discuss these at his next MDT meeting, but discharged me - what a relief!

    It is commonplace to find yourself crying at the drop of a hat and to have your emotions all over the place. Can your hubby attend all of your appointments or just a few? The more he attends, the more he will appreciate what you are going through.

    I shall be thinking of you on Friday and hope that you don't find anything too untoward.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Jolamine, 

    I am so glad your results came back ok for you, what a lot for you to go through, that would have been a long time to wait, waiting for the results is the worst! 

    Thank you for the advice about appointments etc, I’m hoping my husband will be able to make most of them as he can try and move work around if he knows in advance. 

    The days are dragging but we will see Friday. 

    You take care and speak soon 

    thanks again. 

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    Hi Shinyjewels,

    I am still on cloud nine to-day.

    Fingers crossed that it'll be good news for you on Friday.

    Jolamine xx

  • Dear Jolamine,

    I am so happy for you, Its good to see a great outcome.

    I have been thinking of you,and came across your reply to shineyjewels.

    So glad you didnt have to wait 4mths for results,I bet you could have hugged the nurse that day.

    Take care and keep well xxx

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    Hi Clara,

    Thank you. I am still walking around in a daze. It's fantastic to get good news for a change.

    How are you getting on?

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Honestly Jolamine,  I am so fed up with pain. I am so cranky I could fall out with my shadow. Just as well I live alone! And family are in avoidance mode.

    I hope you are doing something by way of a wee celebration on your news! You deserve it.

     

    Take care & kind regards xxx