Page 26 | Huge mass in breast aibu to go to a&e ? **Diagnosis in and treatment underway for the OP** Title edited by MNHQ

needabitof · 2021-10-14T05:56:15+00:00

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.

Original poster

needabitof · 09/12/2021 09:21

Morning,
I had my mastectomy last week. I seem to be healing ok, feel quite tight and numb in places but that's normal according to my bcn. I'll be seeing my consultant next week for the results and the next part of my treatment plan.

@Silkieschickens thinking of you, hope you get your plan soon.

Sorry I've only skim read - those of you who are worried, push push and push for answers and further investigations. I'm glad that I did.

And those of you who got that post deleted, thank you. I'm quite aware of what I'm facing, I just wanted a few days of normality without fear and terror. I didn't need it spelt out so brutally. I trust my team and I value positive support immensely.

OP posts:

RalphLaurenG · 09/12/2021 11:49

Glad you got swift treatment, OP. X

Blah1881 · 09/12/2021 19:40

Just wanted to say that I have been thinking of you regularly over the past couple of weeks, and have been wishing you well with all my heart. Your intelligence and strength of character shines through in all your posts. I am very happy that your treatment plan is in full swing now, sending love as it continues xx.

Original poster

needabitof · 09/12/2021 22:16

@Blah1881 Thank you so much - what a lovely uplifting post! I'm really touched.

OP posts:

stayathomegardener · 10/12/2021 13:34

Thanks for the update, I'm a lurker but thinking of you.

FrankGrillosWrist · 10/12/2021 14:21

community.macmillan.org.uk

PrincessButtercupp · 10/12/2021 14:27

You go private. Right now. Do the A and E and while you are say there waiting call your local Bupa hospital. You tell them you want to make and uninsured appt with a breast consultant urgently. Will cost about £150 for consult. Don't mess around with your health for the sake of a few quid

Kitkat151 · 10/12/2021 14:39

@PrincessButtercupp

You go private. Right now. Do the A and E and while you are say there waiting call your local Bupa hospital. You tell them you want to make and uninsured appt with a breast consultant urgently. Will cost about £150 for consult. Don't mess around with your health for the sake of a few quid

🙄

LuluBlakey1 · 10/12/2021 18:38

@needabitof

Morning, I had my mastectomy last week. I seem to be healing ok, feel quite tight and numb in places but that's normal according to my bcn. I'll be seeing my consultant next week for the results and the next part of my treatment plan.

@Silkieschickens thinking of you, hope you get your plan soon.

Sorry I've only skim read - those of you who are worried, push push and push for answers and further investigations. I'm glad that I did.

And those of you who got that post deleted, thank you. I'm quite aware of what I'm facing, I just wanted a few days of normality without fear and terror. I didn't need it spelt out so brutally. I trust my team and I value positive support immensely.

So glad to hear the operation is done. I hope you hear good news from the consultant. I have been thinking of you and @Silkieschickens and hoping both of you get the best news possible. Such a tough time to go through and especially at this time of the year when everything seems to stop for two weeks- not helpful when you are waiting for results and treatment. 🤞🏻❤️

Silkieschickens · 11/12/2021 09:39

I have still got no treatment plan or even an appointment to see the doctor again - going to need to shift to private as there seem to be huge delays. Seems very wrong but I am risking death by waiting much longer and they are saying a 2 month wait before surgery now with no treatment before that.

Somebodylikeyew · 11/12/2021 17:47

Oh that’s awful, Silkies. I’m so sorry. I’m glad you’re able to go private but you shouldn’t have to. Awful.

marmiteloversunite · 11/12/2021 21:39

Silkies that is a terribly long wait! Not just from a physical standpoint but from a mental one. Far too long to wait and torture yourself. I hope you can be seen quickly privately!

sharkyandme · 12/12/2021 08:15

A&e

Theluggage15 · 12/12/2021 09:02

Good luck OP. I hope you’re still recovering well and that your meeting with the consultant goes well also. And I have to say that your determination is a real lesson to other women, as you say, push, push push if you’re worried.

So sorry to hear you’re still waiting Silkies, that’s utterly appalling.

The people who can’t be bothered to read the thread or even the OP’s posts are so infuriating.

sharkyandme · 12/12/2021 12:40

I'm sorry for not reading your whole thread too. I wish you well.

Silkieschickens · 14/12/2021 04:44

I put a complaint in to Chief Exec and PALS and within a few hours I was given CT of adrenals result (benign but treatment may be needed) and given a pre-op date of this morning and surgery on Friday. Mastectomy and no reconstruction as that would have delayed things to end January.

marmiteloversunite · 14/12/2021 06:00

Well done Silkies.

If you want support from other women living without reconstruction have a look at Flat Friends UK. There are private groups which can help with all stages of treatment and surgery. Also a leaflet you can download to help with surgery practicalities.

Also look at Pillow Pals on Facebook to get a mastectomy pillow. Think their last day of sending pillows is 17th Dec.

Bizawit · 14/12/2021 08:56

@Silkieschickens

I put a complaint in to Chief Exec and PALS and within a few hours I was given CT of adrenals result (benign but treatment may be needed) and given a pre-op date of this morning and surgery on Friday. Mastectomy and no reconstruction as that would have delayed things to end January.

That’s amazing news!!! Well done Silkies xx

Snowmanuel · 14/12/2021 23:51

@Silkieschickens

I put a complaint in to Chief Exec and PALS and within a few hours I was given CT of adrenals result (benign but treatment may be needed) and given a pre-op date of this morning and surgery on Friday. Mastectomy and no reconstruction as that would have delayed things to end January.

Well done. I’ve been thinking of you and I will be thinking of you on Friday. You’re an astonishingly brave and determined woman and I will hope for the wonderful outcome you deserve.

FlowerArranger · 15/12/2021 09:58

@Silkieschickens

I put a complaint in to Chief Exec and PALS and within a few hours I was given CT of adrenals result (benign but treatment may be needed) and given a pre-op date of this morning and surgery on Friday. Mastectomy and no reconstruction as that would have delayed things to end January.

That's great news and I hope it all goes well. Will you be able to get reconstruction at a later date?

But it's a sad state of affairs that those who do not have your focus and determination, as well as the ability to challenge the CE and PALS, risk being left at the end of the queue for treatment.

Silkieschickens · 15/12/2021 11:11

Thanks very much - they said delayed reconstruction is possible on NHS, current wait is 12 to 24 months but stc due to covid. I am mainly wanting the cancer out and having both now they said would be end January, rather than Friday. I will have more treatment like radio after probably which can damage implants etc.

It is scary and stressful having to push to get treated with cancer and the hospital has been 100% full for a while and its not going to get better any time soon. Also will be out same day so hoping there is no complications but at least my husband wfh and we are 20 to 30 minutes drive from hospital. They really need more beds and staff though.

HunterGatherer · 15/12/2021 11:39

Thinking of you OP, I've been following yours and others journeys from a distance and am sending strength and courage.
Keep doing your exercises, (and scar massage, when the scar has healed) they really do make a difference.

LuluBlakey1 · 15/12/2021 18:24

@Silkieschickens

Thanks very much - they said delayed reconstruction is possible on NHS, current wait is 12 to 24 months but stc due to covid. I am mainly wanting the cancer out and having both now they said would be end January, rather than Friday. I will have more treatment like radio after probably which can damage implants etc.

It is scary and stressful having to push to get treated with cancer and the hospital has been 100% full for a while and its not going to get better any time soon. Also will be out same day so hoping there is no complications but at least my husband wfh and we are 20 to 30 minutes drive from hospital. They really need more beds and staff though.

I'm so glad you had good news about the CT and are getting your op so soon now. Well done for pushing- you shouldn't have to. Everything crossed for you on Friday ❤️

LuluBlakey1 · 15/12/2021 18:36

@Silkieschickens Just to add, I rang to speak to my mam at 8.00 am the day of her mastectomy and was told she was just being wheeled off down to theatre and to ring about 12.30 for an update. I managed until 11.30 am and then rang to be old she was back on the ward and I could go and visit.
By the time I got there (18 mile drive) about 12.15, she was sitting in the chair next to the bed, in her own pyjamas , looking completely alert, with a cup of tea, concerned she might not get the lunch she had chosen. She had a drain in but that was it. She came to stay at my house when she was discharged the next day and insisted on DH going out to get fish and chips for tea because she was hungry.
I hope there are no nasty surprises and your op goes as well as hers did and you recover quickly.
Despite them finding two tumours when they operated, they were both removed with good margins, none of the lymph nodes they took were affected and she needed no further treatment apart from a tamoxifen tablet daily. The outcome was so much better than we expected. Hope yours will be too.

Silkieschickens · 15/12/2021 18:45

Thanks Lulu Mine is supposed to be day surgery, they found 2 tumours on the MRI but its still like 5cm x 4xm x 5xcm so same size as before though they said on surgery lobular is often worse, currently they can't see any in lymph nodes though said one is close. I went for the mastectomy to increase chances of getting clear margins. Best case scenario is just Tamoxifen afterwards though they said 3 weeks of radio every day plus Tamoxifen is quite likely and 6 sessions of chemo 3 weeks apart is also possible but only a maybe as I'm HER2 negative and lobular. I hope to avoid chemo but will see.

That's a very quick recovery for your Mum. I am normally fine with generals but slow to come round so I am not sure how they will do day surgery when I get in at 11am, its a 3 hour operation under general but that is what they said. Its only a day hospital but presume if there's an issue you would be transferred back to main hospital to stay overnight. They said I may or may not have drains in. I am just very happy to have surgery though as that is the urgent thing and the thing most linked to success.