Trying to prepare

Hi all,

I had my breast clinic appointment last week, mammogram was clear (but have dense tissue as I'm only 39), ultrasound checked breast lump and also found swollen lymph node. They took biopsies of both so I just have to wait until my results on the 19th August. The doctor was quite honest and said it could be cancer, the radiologist didn't offer any reassurance that it could be anything else, so I'm obviously thinking the worst.

I'm trying to prepare as best I can for results day and want to get the most out of my appointment- are there any questions that would be worthwhile me asking if I'm given a cancer diagnosis? And is it common to have large lump and swollen lymph node and it not be cancer?

 

Thanks in advance xx

  • They will give you some idea on the day or tell you exactley if it is or isnt. They told me that I was 50/50 cancerous so I had to wait for the biopsy results. 

    Its great that youve had 12 hours sleep. Would love to sleep that long..  Ive just been had reiki and OMG i feel amazing. Ive never had it before but i feel so calm and relaxed now. So hopefully I might sleep well tonight. 

    I am hoping everything will be ok for you. If your worried about anything just message me and I will try and help. Xxxx

  • Oh God! No wonder you're in a state honey. Loads of worries to fuel your anxiety. I hope you get your appointment through ASAP. Mine was a two week wait. Felt like months :( 

    I agree that it makes things a little easier knowing that others are going through similar. Not that we'd wish this on anyone, ever, it's hideous! But being able to chat to people that know exactly what you're going through is a huge bonus. I have a couple of friends that have had bc and are now totally out the other side now. I thought I kinda 'got it' but actually I had no idea whatsoever what they were going through at the time. I was so naive in relation to cancer prior to being diagnosed. No one in my family has had it. I would have really struggled mentally I think had I not found this forum. Total life-line at times. 
     

    I will be thinking of you. Let me know how you get on with results honey xxx

  • I feel like I might have a nervous breakdown before I get these results, so I've been hanging over my phone all day expecting a call to book me in tomorrow or Thursday after this morning MDT, nothing!! So I've rang to be told for the 2nd week my results are not back from pathology so even though I've waited 11 days, and am a sick nervous wreck, I now have to wait a further 7 till MDT have discussed it, when I asked why I just got told staff shortages in pathology, there was no one for me to speak too, so I'm going to ring back tomorrow ask to speak to the nurse specialist, this feels so unfair, I'm terrified my biopsy has somehow been lost and I'm appalled I've been left without a call and me having to chase it up.

  • Oh no [@Lyns_]‍  I'm so sorry! You must be going through hell honey. I can imagine the anxiety you are going through. The initial wait was hard enough and now to be extended. Hopefully you'll be able to get at least some more info when you call tomorrow. I'm sure your biopsy has not been lost but I can totally understand why you are having these thoughts. 
    It's hard enough getting through the wait when you think you have something to work towards. An indefinite time scale is not what is needed right now :( 

    I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that you get somewhere tomorrow. Xxx 

  • @Lyns_ - just read your messages, I am so sorry its taking so long. Have you heard anything? Hugs xx

  • Hi, 

    I had a minor meltdown on the phone, where I was told over 20 people were in my position also as they were all waiting longer than expected, instead of making me feel better it just made me feel like I'll be in a backlog for ops and treatment too! I have had a phone call to tell me my results are back now so I will make this Tuesday's MDT meeting and can expect a call for an appointment weds/Thurs which will be 3 weeks since biopsy.

  • That is so unprofessional of them! I've got everything crossed that you'll hear from them tomorrow and get booked in ASAP. Thoughts are with you xx

  • My appointment is Thurs morning with the clinical lead, trying not to read too much into that!

  • Good luck,  I'll be thinking of you xx

  • General consensus was we don't think it is cancer but can't be sure till we get it out and properly look at it, we don't really know what it is, but the bits we've seen did not look like cancer cells or precancerous cells, it's well contained so should be easily removed and my lymph node was clear, she said she wouldn't recommend leaving it as these types of lumps can turn cancerous over time, the biopsy went around 3 hospitals trying to identify what is was, so that's why it took 21 days, so I had a pre op assessment today and will have it out in the next 2 weeks, the consultant said she was acting fast as it's been far too long a wait already, not because she thinks it sinister, so relief, I think, unless it turns out the biopsy just didn't hit the cancerous bit?