Advice while I wait for 8 week red flag referral

[NoLTBplease]

Posting for traffic because struggling to wait and dont want to say to anyone in irl - have DH and he is great (ignore username - its very old and irrelevant lol)

Have found a lump on my breast, skin changes and nipple changing direction - was referred on 2 week wait on 17th December.

I'm in NI and the 2 week wait is 8 weeks - i am very aware that this examination could show thats its nothing sinister, I initially was ok with the wait but actually im not

Anyone else dealt with a long wait? How did you distract yourself and stay positive?

In all honesty I'd look at going private. With multiple changes I wouldn't want to hang around and would take a loan if necessary to speed it up. Wishing you the very best and hope it's nothing.

We looked and there is only one place here can do everything - its about £3000 and the wait os only one week less because the backlog is so bad x

I'm also in NI and had the same wait. Which hospital were you referred to? I was diagnosed with triple negative bc in May and found it best to keep working and carry on as normal and say nothing til I knew what we were dealing with. I asked the GP for something to help me sleep as every possible scenario would run through my mind every night as I closed my eyes. My journey was difficult as I had many complications and what I have learned though is to question everything. Fight for what you want as if I hadnt advocated for myself and fallen out with my oncologist in the process I would be dead. Feel free to on me . Also don’t go alone to that first appointment. A second pair of ears is really useful and also the support. Until then all you can do is try and stay positive. I found walking and concentrating on eating well and getting fit helped occupy me xx

Thankyou for your reply - I'm South Eastern. But the message says the appointment can be anywhere and I've phone to let them know I can travel at short notice

I think christmas hasn't helped being off work, while its been nice there's not alot of distraction

I'm back to work this Tuesday full time so hopefully time will go quicker.

I have 2 young kids who come in at night ondont know that sleeping tablets wpuld be any good .. and two older ones i need to stay normal for!

The system seems a bit of a disaster over here at times - my granny was pammed off and then it was too late and her cancer has spread. I'm greatful I got the red flag referral anyway

Id call up every week to 3 days just to check for a cancellation slot.

We were given an appointment that was 3 days away due to cancellation on their books. Without your call they will just let the slot sit empty and use it to catch up on paperwork or go to clinic.

Thanks Huffelmuff. I will do that x

I phoned the GP again and she was lovely, advised that I go private and sent me a clinic I hadn't heard of - so I have a consult on 22nd and if needed after I will get an appointment quickly in his nhs clinic so atleast its a date to work towards x