[@Figaro1]‍ oh you poor thing. I can really relate to the rollercoaster of emotion on this one and the anxiety of building up to results and then not happening and then more waits and more biopsies. I had the stereostatic version of biopsy twice as well. How did you get on with it? I found it fairly full on but the staff were terrific. I was treated wtih such kindness and compassion through all of this and it makes the world of difference. 

After my area was removed by Wide Local Excision (lumpectomy but no lymph node check in my case), I took two weeks off work to recover - felt pretty good after only a couple of days but needed to take it easy and give myself time to process what had just gone on. I then had a five day course of radiotherapy. The shorter more intense five day plan is often used for small breast cancers that were well contained. This was pretty straight forward and I had to use the deep breath technique as mine was left sided and this keeps you heart out of the way of the radiation beam. Went to my happy place in my head when that was happening. All painless and quite manageable. I reacted well to radiotheraphy with only a bit of redness of the skin and never got the fatigue that can hit but they said because I am fit I would have less issue with that. 

I then started a five year course of Anastrozole because my cancer was 8/8 for oestrogen and progesterone responsiveness, i.e. it strongly feeds off hormones. I am post-menopausal (52) so this aromatase inhibitor stops my body making oestrogen. I was absolutely dreading taking it as I have read so many stories about the side effects other women suffer with it. I have been on it since April (so seven months now) and I am absolutely fine! Some initial joint pain, two weeks in and then that went and I'd never know I was on it. I know you are no where near this point of your process (if indeed it does turn out to be cancerous) but I am sharing this to show that not all experiences end  up being really awful, particularly with the drug side of things.

[@5040emma]‍ sounds like you are going through a similar process of the dreaded uncertainty on top of the waiting. I think we are a unique group with it being so drawn out. My surgeon (who was the most wonderful, caring woman) said cases like yours and mine are considered the 'worst pathyway' to be on as there is such an extended period of not knowing what you are dealing with.

I hope for both of you that the news is positive and even if not, once you have a plan in place it changes gear and feels more manageable in a weird way.

Keep us posted on the outcome of  what is going on for both of you. I hope the wait doesn't feel too horrendous (although from experience I know the days will drag...)

Take care

xx

Hi Figaro1

I'm going through something similar to you and it really does feel like it's taking forever.  My b2 biopsies were inconsistent with the imaging, so they sent me for more core needle biopsies.  More waiting, with the same result - inconsistent biopsy versus imaging.

The next step was to refer me for a wire guided excision biopsy, which happened about 3 weeks ago.  I was told 2 weeks for my results, but there is a huge backlog at my hospital so I have to wait 5-6 weeks.  It sucks being in the "complicated" category, but reading some of the stories on here have shown me that it's better to have cautious consultants like ours than the alternative. I hope you get a definitive result soon x

Thanks BridgietM and Kiwirunner 

I had the Stereotactic Vac assisted yesterday, turned into a bit of a nightmare but one I can laugh at now!

Basically, I bled quite badly as they tried to remove the Core clip at the very end of procedure, they rushed in a lovely lady with hands like ceramic pans to press very hard on the sore breast, squashing it like she was wringing out the washing, then my body went into involuntary shakes as she's shouting "STEM THE BLEED"  then I had to have it done again because they hadn't got enough tissue samples as my breasts are fibrous,  I was also told it's not a radial scar and she thought it was benign saying it's a B2 so I'm lost and quite fed up with the contradictions, I find out next Wednesday, doubt that will be the end of this journey but I'm glad they are being thorough and the other radiologists were so caring and lovely which I'll forever be grateful for.

Thank you for letting me know what to expect BridgetM and I really hope you also receive news soon, my pathology results were delayed so in the end my sister contacted my GP and PALS to contact histology,  she's a medical lawyer so was very persistent and within 48 hours they were done, I was going out of my mind not able to function, if she hadn't done that I would still be waiting due to the backlog xxx

Thank you Kiwirunner , you've been through a lot, I appreciate you sharing what you've gone through and it helps me prepare if it turns out that way with the post op measures.

I really appreciate your responses

Thank you so much