Hi MickeyM,

I am delighted to hear that you finally got somewhere today. I agree that getting your appointment brought forward to 12th October is a big improvement. - two weeks is quite long enough to wait. Keeping busy doesn't always have to be work related. Do something that you enjoy doing, so long as it helps to pass the time.

I am glad to hear that you are feeeling more positive today and remember, that you always have our support in the meanwhile.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

Thank you so much for your support. I will try to occupy myself constructively. 
 

xx

Hello everyone who has replied to me, really appreciated. So I've just had another shock - letter arrived with an appointment at the breast surgery clinic next Thursday. I'm very confused - rang breast unit and confirmed I still have my stereotactic biopsies booked in for next Tuesday and will wait up to two weeks for those results, but told they'd had a meeting and a clear decision has been made and I will be seeing the consultant next Thursday.  As you know, I was originally told consultant won't see me until they had all my results and now it seems they've made a clear decision on the lump and I have face to face with consultant booked in. 
 

cant stop shaking - is this code for it's definitely cancer? Xx 

Calcifications aren't always bad.  I had the same thing mine unfortunately was cancer, calcification just means changes in the breast tissue.  Which could mean cancer but equally some people have them anyway!   I know how hard the waiting part is and it's the most bizarre thoughts that pop in your head I was fine with it all then one day washing I picked moisturiser up and suddenly in my head was the thought of why you using that you might not be here what a waste of time and  then I had to tell myself off and for goodness sake woman get a grip!! But it is so hard when you don't know what's happening etc.  However strong you are those thoughts will occasionally pop in your head even if briefly.
 

My surgeon said he could biopsy my calcificstions to see if they were ok or not but I opted for not, I already knew my lump was cancer and it just seemed like more messing about and faffing to me and frankly the biopsies hurt.  He said if they were bad I would need a mastectomy but possibly if they weren't a lumpectomy could work.  I think for me personally I felt leaving things in would just make me worry more than removing the whole lot?  I have young kids and I need to be here!  I know some ladies massively struggle emotionally with the thought of mastectomy though and that is perfectly ok too it is quite a traumatic thing on all accounts even if you're relatively ok with it!

Hang in there, it will more than likely come round quicker than you expect it too, I too was saying it was taking too long etc and worried about you know what's it doing while I'm waiting etc but it came around quite quickly.  I had a mastectomy Thursday and currently recording.  Everybody is different so as much as it helps to talk to people your case will be unique to you and you will not react like anyone else has done treatment wise.  And yes dr Google is the worst for scaring you!  
 

good luck xx
 

Thank you for your in-depth reply, which I have taken all on board and really appreciated. 
 

I think I'm kind of thinking 'well if they're gonna tell me lump needs surgery on Thursday, which is what it looks like - why am I going through more painful biopsies two days before in respect of the calcifications?' I'm barely recovering from last biopsies on same breast... guess I have to go through with both apts next week now though.  The letter did say I can bring someone on Thursday (all others said I couldn't because of covid). 
 

did you have your surgery last Thursday? I'm sorry I didn't quite make sense of that bit - but my heads a muddle xx  

thank you again so much for your reply and thinking of you in your recovery xx

Hi MickeyM,

It is normal for your case to be discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT). This is where your case will be discussed by all of the people involved in your care. This should bring the decision on a way forward closer for you and cut down on this awful waiting time, which has to be good. If you have any questions for your consultant, write them down in advance of your appointment. This will ensure that you don't forget anything important.

I know that it's impossible not to worry, but try to look at this sensibly. This certainly does not mean that it's definitely cancer, but, even if it is, it is treatable.

I shall be thinking of you next Thursday and hope that it all goes well. Please keep in touch.

Kind regards,
Jolamine xx. 

Thank you Jolamine for your wise and comforting words. 
I just don't understand why the consultant would change his own goalposts.  This means his wanting to have the full picture on the lump and microcalcifications before seeing me and giving me any results has clearly gone out of the window.  I also don't understand why the other two appointment letters I had were to the Breast Clinic and this was says to the Breast 'surgery' clinic. XX most perplexing xx

Hi Mickey M,

I am only surmising, as there could be any number of reasons. Maybe some of his team thought it better to go ahead with surgery, based on their current findings and he was overruled? Maybe some of your team are due holiday leave and they want this done before they go? - it's impossible to say. I expect that they will still have the results of your biopsy back before they do your operation, if this is the plan.

In my hospital the breast clinic and the breast surgery clinic are one and the same and are both run by the one consultant, who is my breast surgeon. I think that this is the case in most areas.

Fortunately, you don't have too long to wait to find out what is happening. I am away for a few ays this week, but hope that you will soon have a plan of action in hand - try not to overthink things in the meantime. I hope that the biopsies go well and that you soon have a definite way forward.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine, you are a true inspiration to me and everyone else on this site. I always really value reading your well thought out and supportive comments to everyone - thank you x x

i hadn't thought about surgeon being overruled and your other comments, so thank you kindly x

Have a lovely break, you certainly deserve it Jolamine xx 

with greatest thanks always for your amazing levels of support and kindness. 
Mickey xx 

Morning Jolamine, I know you're away, so I don't expect a reply. I just wanted to keep you updated, as promised x 

so I’ve my initial diagnosis after speaking to the breast care nurse yesterday because it was all getting just too much.  She was lovely and is going to see me after my stereotactic biopsy on Tuesday morning (12/10). My lump is mucinous cancer (which I’d never heard of), but apparently is the least aggressive. But I also have a cluster of microcalcifications in a different area of my breast that are DCIS. Also there is a clear width of pre cancer behind it and sides of lump. I will need surgery, but they need the result of my stereotactic biopsy before they can look at my full treatment plan. I am oestrogen receptive positive (score 8/8), which I’m told is very positive. I don’t know if that’s different from HER+? I just know I’ll need anti oestrogen tablets and obviously need to stay off HRT. 

I’m glad I know, I knew it was cancer, but I wasn’t expecting to have a ‘greedy boob’ with more than one.  

Thanks for reading this. Mickey x