Huge mass in breast aibu to go to a&e ? **Diagnosis in and treatment underway for the OP** Title edited by MNHQ

[needabitof]

Last week I went to the doctors - my right breast has a big mass in it that has appeared in the previous week.
He checked my liver, lymph nodes, so I know what he's thinking, and referred me to the breast clinic under the 14 day rule. Except it isn't 14 days, it's over three weeks before you can be seen. The gp can do nothing to speed things up apparently.
I thought I need to pay for a private mammogram, it's £400. I'm desperate - imagining the worst constantly.
Managed to get a referral sent by the gp to the private hospital, only to be told they're breast clinic has been cancelled for the next three weeks.
Aibu to go to a&e to get some medical advice or wait? The mass is getting bigger and painful each day.
What would you do? Thanks in advance.

Hoping for the absolute best for you op xx

You are so, so brave @needabitof.

My mum was diagnosed seven years ago. It was very aggressive and hers had spread all over and so was metastatic. She had chemo, a mastectomy and now has a three-weekly sort of chemo-lite therapy. The therapy takes ten minutes to administer and she goes on her way. It doesn’t cause symptoms except on the day she has it, she wees a lot. The primary cancer has gone and the secondary cancers are kept in check by this treatment.

Her diagnosis seemed like a worst case scenario at the time but she’s still here, living normally with it, so much so she forgets she has it. It doesn’t define her.

Treatment has moved on so, so much and I’ve no doubt they’ll be able to do even more for you, especially as you got things moving so fast.

I really have hope for you, so please borrow it for when you’re not feeling strong. All the very, very best to you.

So sorry you are going through this particular mill, and sending you strength and love. One day at a time.

Thinking of you and wishing you all the luck in the world

Really hope that the breast nurse's help means that your appointment is brought forward. All the best for your treatment.

If you are in pain go and get help from A&E. You might need antibiotics for an infection. I hope it is not serious.

@caringcarer this thread has moved on. The op has updated many times since her opening message.

Best wishes OP

OP have only just seen your update…am so sorry you are going through this awful nightmare !! Am sending you lots of positive vibes whilst you are trying to process every change with your diagnosis…Xx💐

Op just seen your update. You've had so many uplifting messages and I don't have much to add except to wish you (and all others going through this here) all the best. As many have pointed out here, treatment has improved over the last few years.
Wishing you strength

Just another voice to add to the chorus - I'm rooting for you as the doctors determine the best way to proceed. Keeping you in my prayers!

Thinking of you. Please PLEASE call MacMillan! They can do so so much for you and even advocate for you on your behalf. Or even just listen. Honestly, if you haven't already, please do give them a quick call 💚💚💚

@needabitof - so sorry to read of your update and the outcome - but glad that things are now moving, if not quite as rapidly as you'd like, still fairly rapidly.

The hives thing - my Dad did that after my mum had a stillbirth - came out in weals and hives all over his body - he was told it was a nervous reaction to the shock too. (Mum was out of it on morphine after the GA and hysterectomy at the time).

Entirely up to you whether this appeals - and I'll totally understand if not - but it's worth a mention. www.pennybrohn.org.uk/ is a complementary (NOT alternative) care centre for those diagnosed with cancer. The founder had breast cancer and outlived all expectations after her diagnosis. They do NOT work against medical treatment, they offer support and additional therapies to work WITH medical treatments.

Thank you for updating here - I hope very much that your operation is a total success and you recover well

Just had a look at this thread and read your OP and from your recent update. Best wishes OP and as a PP suggested call Macmillan and get every bit of support you can

I read your original posts. I'm glad you have finally got the attention you deserve.

Rooting for you and keeping everything crossed the bone scan is clear

Sending you a huge hug and all the vibes I can. xxx

I've just read your two most recent updates @needabitof, and am sending you hugs and a hand to hold. I said it up thread, but the waiting for everything to start really is the most frightening part. Fingers crossed that the reality is much less scary than you and your family are currently fearing. It is a horrible time. xxx

@ljsbear - wrong thread! Might want to get your post withdrawn.

Just share that I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer back in 2006. Even though it is an aggressive type of bc ,and the lump was 2 cm, I am still fine 15 years later. I had a lumpectomy followed by 8 rounds of chemotherapy (4xfec and 4xtaxotere) and then 15 daily radiotherapy treatments. I had regular checks for 10 years and was finally discharged in 2016.
Hang in there you can do it

Sending you all good thoughts and hopes for the best, OP x

I too am keeping everything crossed. If the CT is clear of anything new you’ll know exactly what you’re dealing with. We’re with you on this journey now and we’ll walk alongside metaphorically.

ah shit, thanks @ThumbWitchesAbroad

needabitof, I hope things go well from now on, fingers crossed and sending you best wishes

Can’t imagine what you’re going through OP, but we’re all here if you need support, so please post as much as you want

LuluJakey1 here- had to change my name and start a new account because the email attached to my LuluJakey1 account had not been used by me for so long gmx had got rid of it :(
Without it MNET would not let me change the email on my account and so I had to start again with a new name. I am now LuluBlakey1.

Anyway, just to say hope you are doing ok and managing to keep your worry level under a but of control. Do you have a date for your CT scan yet? Hoping so. Thinking of you- it's a horrible time waiting with all this on your mind.