Feeling sick with worry. Breast Clinic app today

[TwentinQuarantino]

I have an urgent referral to the breast clinic today at 5pm. Quite late and wish it had been earlier in the morning so it was done and dusted. But I guess I'm lucky I got an app so quickly within the 2 week wait as some hospitals are taking a lot longer.

But I keep thinking the worst and feel like I can't breathe, I'm so anxious and scared. Keep sneaking off upstairs to have a little cry as I don't want DC to see. DH isn't allowed inside with me but I want him nearby incase it's bad news. My right shoulder blade has been hurting for a couple of weeks, right breast is very tender and I've googled myself into an early grave. Just a few hours to go. I guess it will be a relief either way, this wait is killing me.

Didn’t want to read and run. I’m sure your googling has shown you that pain isn’t usually a red flag, but you are only going to be reassured once you have had your appointment. Can you go out to the park with the children and kick some leaves? Anything to speed up time really.
Wishing you the best of luck later

I’ll offer a little hand hold. The breast clinic staff in my experience are all really lovely and they are great at putting you at ease.

I’m sure you know that 90% of referrals are not cancer but it’s no comfort when you are waiting.

I can imagine how you feel - I have had that feeling with a health thing a few years back. I know what you mean about the appt being at 5pm - I would wish it was in the morning too. I wish you the best of luck for later on, it is 2pm now so you don't have too long to go xx

I know exactly how you feel OP, I had to wait 4 weeks and had my appt a couple of weeks ago.
I had my mammogram and then they asked me to go back and have another mammogram for more pictures before the surgeon saw me so I totally feared the worst. Turned out to be cysts. Really hope its a good outcome for you

Just to add, my friend also had to have a 2nd mammogram at the appt and hers were also cysts so don't panic if this happens to you , I was in bits. Doesn't help that noone can wait with you anymore at the clinic

Thank you all.

@MrsPnut I have come across you on the other thread and wish you all best.

@XiCi yes, DH will probably have to wait in the car. He has severe health anxiety and has been struggling mentally since my urgent referral so I can't talk to him about my feelings and fears.

The waiting is awful, your mind goes in to overdrive (step away from Google!!). I had very similar symptoms to you, but on my left side, and was referred to the Breast Clinic within 2 weeks. All of the staff were lovely, so patient and reassuring.
Thankfully there was nothing found and I'm so grateful that my concerns were taken seriously. Keeping my fingers crossed that you have a similar experience and outcome.
Thinking of you.

Handhold from me - I’ve been there with me and another loved one. Keeping everything crossed for you.

Whatever happens, know that the staff will be super kind and if there’s information to gather, perhaps use your phone to record it.

Thank you @Shufflebumnessie for your reassurance. Really hope it's nothing for me too. My DC are all young, eldest has ASD and needs me for the littlest things. The crazy thoughts going on in my head make me want to cry.

Thank you @Purplepeoniesdroppingpetals

Big hugs, OP. This must be really scary and it's even harder when your partner can't handle listening to your anxieties. Good luck with your appointment.

It is very scary and as previously said a huge number of referrals are nothing sinister but even if it is the worst news knowing is better than the unknown

Hand-holding from afar.

Popping in for a hand hold

I really hope it all goes well.

I keep reading on here that people say the breast cancer staff are really lovely and that is so nice to read and a relief. I have to go on Wednesday and I am worried they'll be cross as I don't have an obvious lump but the doctor wanted me checked because of other changes.

Just stepping into the support crew office.

Just breath, in and out. If they say anything, think about writing it down. Ask them to repeat anything you don't understand. Ask them what comes next.

Breath in calm. Breath out those worries and understandable thoughts. Ask whoever it is... god, your guardian angel, the universe, this support crew... to hold those thoughts and worries for you for the next few hours. Put them aside for now.

Sending you my very best wishes OP. So sorry you are in this situation. xx

It's natural to worry, but hope if goes smoothly

Hope it all goes well OP. I have been through this twice, each time all was fine. My friend was given biopsies after a mammogram showed dubious areas but they were completely benign. The wait was horribly stressful so I sympathise and I am sending a little hand hold.

Hand holding from afar. Difficult but the staff are so lovely and caring. Best of luck x

I have just been through the process following screening mammogram. The staff are brilliant. The clinics are dedicated to breast examination and it’s a bit of a one stop. They will do a mammogram and /or ultrasound examination depending on your age. A biopsy will be taken with your consent if needed, it doesn’t hurt as it’s done under local anaesthetic. As someone has said most women who attend don’t have cancer and the radiologists that carry out the screening are specialists in breast examination so will be able to tell you what they think it is. They will not commit to cancer diagnosis but will be able to tell you if it is a cyst or something non suspicious.
Unfortunately mine was cancer but I’ve had surgery and it had not spread, and although I will have radiotherapy and possibly chemo I no longer have cancer.
You have done the right thing and hopefully it’s is not breast cancer. One thing I have learnt though is that there is absolutely no point worrying until there is something to worry about,

Wishing you all the very best.

Sending you support. I have been through this, examination, scan and biopsy, did not hurt. The staff were very supportive and made it all as easy as possible.

I am sorry that your husband suffers with health anxiety and you cant talk to him about your fears. I hope you have someone you can offload on and be vulnerable in front of.

I am hoping for the very best for you.

Oh gosh OP. Good luck. I've been through the breast clinic twice and both times like you have googled myself into an early grave.

I won't write you'll be fine, it's probably benign, because it doesn't help. But, wishing you the best of luck. Please come back and update us if you feel up to it.

Crossing my fingers for you.

Only a few minutes to go OP, I find waiting to be horrible so hopefully now you're there you're feeling a little more in control.

I got referred to the breast clinic today so sending lots of solidarity and support