I am 50 and found lump 2 weeks ago have my appointment tomorrow. Sooo anxious and worried have tried to keep it together through christmas but now I am struggling
Hi Janeylou. I know how you feel. I'm 51 and received a recall letter on Christmas Eve (great timing) saying an abnormality was found on my first screening mammogram. My clinic appt is 5 Jan and I can think of nothing else at the moment. I'm trying to keep distracted. My teenage daughter and husband saw me open the letter but I haven't told my teenage son or anyone else apart from my best friend. Kind of want to know what is actually the outcome before I worry other people. Will tell my boss (she is lovely) though as need time off work for the appt. My Mum and her mother (so my maternal grandmother) both had breast cancer. My grandmother died years ago from another cancer in the end and my Mum is doing fine, four years on. I had three (one per year) mammograms up to the age of 50 on the familial screening programme (which were all clear)but the last one was nearly two years ago (I'm 52 in February). When I had the recall letter last week I then took a close look at my breasts as I hadn't noticed any lumps (I am a bit rubbish at checking though) and was horrified to see a considerable area of dimpling/puckering under my left inner breast - quite obvious lines and indents when I raise my arms. I have no idea how long they have been there as I don't go around with my arms in the air staring at my boobs Kind of wish I had now though. I can really understand what you are feeling and the waiting is awful as every scenario goes through your head. All I can say to you (and me!) is that most cases referred aren't cancer so let's hold onto that thought!! Good luck for tomorrow. X
Hi Kiwirunner, just wanted to let you know....my circumstances very similar to you, age 53 years, referral letter arrived the day before Christmas Eve.....not sure how I've got through Xmas as no extended family around to keep me busy as usual, due to their health issues (my sister has secondary breast cancer) Just myself, hubby and teen daughter, who, as you, saw me open referral letter, which I managed to play down.
Attended my appointment first thing today (my birthday) I was told that there was a change in one of my breasts so I had a more detailed mammogram and an ultrasound. After the ultrasound the consultant told me that I am absolutely fine and can go back to three yearly mammograms.
Just wanted to give you some hope and let you know that things can still be okay even though you might think the worst....I found it so difficult to.stay positive. I was sooo scared, i am a bit of a glass half full person. It's awful having waited over Christmas, I can't tell you how stressed I've been. Good luck with your appointment and fingers crossed for you xx
My goodness what an ordeal you are having . I cannot imagine how much you must feel like your on a roller coaster of emotions. Gosh you have been through so much already , but as you say they are being so through and it sounds like your going to get the best treatment with lovely staff. Pleased your getting to go to a private hospital.
I hope thursday goes well and you finally get all the answers
You take care you are dealing with everything amazing xxx
Hi, my goodness what a lot to take in, nothing is ever simple! At least they are being extremely thorough and not just sending you away at this stage. Good luck with the extra biopsies. Thinking of you all on here at the moment xxx
Another update - my case is dragging on with all the extra testing. Had a third biopsy yesterday afternoon. Redoing the second area of concern which is a 15mm spiculated area of distortion without a mass at the centre. This time they used an even bigger needle for the vacuum assisted biopsy while lying down clamped in the mammogram machine than I had last time. 12 samples taken this time unlike the last time with six samples. Because I stil have a massive haematoma and bruising from second round of biopsies two weeks ago (apparently I am 'very vascular' - not one for the LinkedIn profile haha), it was hard to get the local anaesthetic to where it needed to be. Two samples in and I squealed in pain. Turns out the haematoma absorbed the local, rather than the surrounding tissue, so they gave me masses more local anaesthetic. They wernt around all the 'spider legs' twice to get as much sampling as they could as it does look suspicious. Have taken the other biopsies in my stride but yesterday's was tough.
Now a rush job on the pathology as I am booked at moment for lumpectomy on Tuesdsay to take the other area out that has the spiculations and a mass at the middle and looks cancerous.
Two biopsies so far that are inconclusive but they don't match with the radiology (mamogram, ultrasound, MRI) and the puckering on my skin so they are keeping at it.
If latest pathology comes back with it dodgy then surgery on Tues will be postponed for a week or so while we revisit surgical options as that would be two different areas of the breast that need sorting out,
Add to that an infected tooth this week with antibiotics that can't be mixed with alcohol, and tooth pain, ,made my 'dry' 20th wedding anniversary on Weds a bit different to expected. Sigh.
They will call with results on Monday as no time to get me in before the surgery on Tues, assuming that still goes ahead.
Considering this started with a recall letter on 24 Dec it is starting to take its toll somewhat. BUT I do feel under amazing care with my NHS team. xx
Oh my goodness, it's sounds horrendous. Damn the antibiotics for not being able to have a drink at the end of THAT day as you sound like you needed it! Can't imagine how stressful it is....please let me know how you get on next week. Sending you positive thoughts. You're in the best hands, no matter what xxx
My gosh what a terrible time. You have been through so much. You really could have done with a drink after everything. I am keeping everything crossed for some good news you really deserve it so much.
Hope everything goes well next week and i hope your family are doing ok and you all pull together
Thanks [@Janeylou] ! Had some good news today that the third biopsy that was a repeat biopsy on the second area of concern came back as benign - wahoo! It is definitely a radial scar. They look just like breast cancer on radiology and other imaging so they wanted to be sure. Now just to focus on the bit coming out on the lumpectomy tomorrow. Surgeon phoned me today to tell me about the other good news and said she definitely wants this bit out to look at further in the post-op pathology. Feel so relieved that one area is all clear :-) Just the final hurdle to get over xx
