Hiya,

I also have my breast clinic tests on Friday. Just want it to be over with. I just hate not knowing.

good luck, let us know how it goes X

Hi and yes, the wait is a horrible time and I hope your clinic visit goes as well as it can, My lump got me seen in the fortnight they expect it to be rushed through by, on the day I had exam, mammogram, followed by an ultrasound, and ultrasound doctor who did that was worried about what he was seeing, the consultant who h ad examined me first of all said that one of them scored me 2 the other scored me 3, whatever that meant (I think it was stage or size)- anyway, I was told I needed a biopsy - with ultrasound guidance, Im not medically qualified but have had other biopsies in the past. Basically he gave local anaesthetic, and used a noisy tool that sounded like a stapler (he used it in the air so I could hear it go off) and then took three samples using a hollow needle.  I hope this isnt too much info and thats what they did here locally in the midlands at a breast unit.  The nurse held my hand whilst the sample was taken cos I was terrified.  That was 6th November, consultant gave me the result face to face on 15th, it was invasive ductal carcinoma stage 2 (apparently its the most common) I was in with him  along with a breast care nurse who then went into the details and basically fielded all the questions that were freaking me out and gave me a huge folder of useful info from cancer research. He told me I have another thing called Poland Syndrome, basically Im missing some tissue and chest muscles, so Id had an implant put in when I was 18 to stop me looking wonky,  I was not suitable for radiotherapy because of it, and they were going to have to remove it, I couldnt face being the wonky girl with a pothole instead of a bust, to they got me organised to have a mastectomy with offer of immediate reconstruction on 3 december and I was in overnight, and home with a drain and off my head on painkillers the following day. So its early days for me. the breast care team have been superb, the nurses and district nurses are great, and I saw the guy who did the ultrasound when consultant thought I might need fluid (seroma) taken off, but he decided when he checked me that it would be more trouble than it was worth.  Right now Im almost 5 weeks post op, healing slowly, stiff and sore, but starting to feel a bit better. I am freaking now cos our hospital send samples to theUSA for a thing called an oncotype dx test which is genomic testing of tumour material to see what its particular quirks are to help decide if I need chemotherapy - I already know I will need hormone therapy.  Tumours come in all sorts of variations, so they are getting much smarter at working out a personalised treatment package instead of the old one size fits all approach. Maybe Im lucky that my job has involved taking notes on this sort of topic for a uni student. But it is a scary time, and I hope that you can get support as you work your way through it. Many people find their lumps are cysts rather than cancer, but it needs the best checking out you can get. I hope your visit goes well, and would suggest that if you have a friend or family who can go with you with a list of any questions you would want raised, and also to take notes of key information about any proposed treatment and options, you might find it helpful, the worry of these things can turn memory to mush, so its useful to have someone who can make notes in case you get overwhelmed or emotional. For example, I misheard one of the nurses yesterday tell me that the big bump Ive developed in a line going out to my armpit is a dogleg.  Turns out its a bump caused by how they stitched me up, and the swelling will eventually reduce, and I later clarified its known "in the trade" as a dog ear.....so dont be frightened to ask if you dont understand what they say, or be bothered about asking them to repeat things -m  Take care, and I do hope they are as compassionate as the staff I have had dealings with- all the very best and good luck x

Firstly thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed and caring reply. It is a lot to take in and it's slightly overwhelming, I'd planned on going on my own as didn't want any fuss or to put people out. Needless to say my husband isn't to keen on that. But having someone there just to take notes or ask questions on your behalf is a good idea. I'm sorry to read it hasn't been great news but you sound like you are strong and have faith that this won't beat you. I wish you all the best for the future and hope you have the best outcome from here on in. 
xx