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Cancer

Find advice & support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer

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Original poster

I'm hoping I don't have cancer but ...

24 replies

Willowkins · 16/12/2023 00:56

I think this might be a useful thread for anyone in the pre-diagnosis stage. Join in if it helps.

This is my story. My gynaecologist wanted to check out my post menopausal bleeding. Long story short, they did an ultrasound and MRI and found my endometrium was fine but there was a lump on my bladder. Discharged from gynaecology and told I was being referred to urology. The MDT met today. I'll get an appointment next week with the results (which will probably be: we need to do more tests).
TBH I wasn't too worried about the gynae side of it because we were all pretty sure it was caused by a hormone imbalance (now sorted).
This lump is something else. I am trying not to obsess about it too much.

OP posts:

kerstina · 16/12/2023 20:14

Sorry you are going through this . The wait is hard and the longer the wait the harder it feels.
My story is I had a lump come up not long after my last mammogram which was clear. For various reasons I only recently had it checked out . I seemed to have lost a bit of weight and it seemed more obvious . Am completely flat chested though. Although had to wait two months for GP appointment I had an appointment from the hospital within 3 weeks .
Nothing showed on the mammogram but something was picked up on ultra sound so they did a biopsy. Said possibly fibrous tissue but that side of the mammogram really hurt and it has been a bit painful since.
The wait is horrible I keep getting very panicky when the phone rings .

Original poster

Willowkins · 16/12/2023 20:38

I'm so sorry @kerstina that wait is awful and I totally understand that feeling. I've found controlled breathing helps with panic attacks.
I got a text that my appointment will be on Wednesday morning. Absolutely nothing to be done until I hear what they have to say. What's tying me up in knots is when to tell the (only recently grown up) children.

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kerstina · 16/12/2023 20:47

Yes I understand . I decided to tell my DS who is back from Uni tomorrow that I had biopsy and waiting to hear as I have been a bit distracted and touchy and wanted him to be prepared if it was bad news . I am quite an open person though generally .

Original poster

Willowkins · 17/12/2023 01:12

That's a good idea. My DD back on Tuesday. I'll probably tell them both together then.

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Catunderling · 17/12/2023 21:14

So sorry for what you're going through. I really hope it's a quick result and good outcome.

I'm awaiting a second scan then diagnosis and plan of action for a brain tumour and the wait is gruelling, isn't it? Dr's possible guess is a benign variety for now so I have everything crossed. I would be surprised if surgery is not indicated for me and oddly, picking nice pyjamas and toiletries is calming me down a lot, silly as it sounds.

Could you be prescribed some beta blockers to tide you over maybe? Yoga stretches are also helping a lot with the headaches and anxiety 💐

CurlyhairedAssassin · 17/12/2023 21:23

kerstina · 16/12/2023 20:47

You're doing the right thing, keeping him in the loop.

orangelotuss · 17/12/2023 21:42

My rrt good friend had a diagnosis of bladder cancer 3 years ago. Seems a reasonably good ( if that's possible) type of cancer because it's usually contained within the organ?
She has to have 6 monthly chemo directly into her bladder but is absolutely fine work's full time in a demanding role and we have just booked a lovely holiday to celebrate a milestone birthday so please no matter what the outcome and the absolute horror of what you are going through it may not be as grim as you think xx

kerstina · 18/12/2023 19:28

Yes the wait is very gruelling. Not eating much and I keep thinking things are making sense if I do have it as I have lost weight. I had put it down to swimming but haven’t swam for ages. Also my knee injury is taking forever to heal is that a sign it could be in my bones.
Thank you everyone for sharing your stories .Hope you are ok OP and everyone on this thread.

Original poster

Willowkins · 19/12/2023 23:06

Thanks for the advice all. I casually told both the YAWs (Young Adult Willowkins) that I have an appointment to get the results of the MRI and I'd let them know how I got on.

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Original poster

Willowkins · 20/12/2023 20:44

I had my appointment today. As expected, I've been referred for more tests including a CT scan (next week - they had a cancellation). Now I need to walk away from this for a little bit because the constant anticipation and worry is no way to live. I'll be back when I have more news.

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kerstina · 20/12/2023 21:10

Thank you for updating us Willowkins I had been wondering when your appointment was . I agree, time to switch your focus on to Christmas and enjoying time with your family . Great that they have fitted you in for next week too as the waiting is hard when the time drags on. It will be two weeks Saturday since I had my biopsy and still nervously waiting. I will be thinking of you and always here if you want to chat.

Original poster

Willowkins · 28/12/2023 14:16

Thanks @kerstina I hope you get your results soon and that they're good.
Today's the day of my CT scan and I also just got the date for the biopsy next week so it's moving quite quickly. I'm guessing I'll get my results by mid to end January.

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kerstina · 30/12/2023 13:48

Thinking of you Willowkins . Hope the CT scan went ok but I expect they don’t give you any update at the time ? Glad it’s moving quickly less time to fret I think.
i have had no conclusion of the biopsy and it’s been 3 weeks today . All they have done is send out a summary ( letter) of my appointment of the day I had the mammogram, biopsy and consultation.

Original poster

Willowkins · 30/12/2023 19:43

That's so frustrating. I'm guessing they'll only tell you the results face to face so at the very least you'll need a date for your next appointment.

I got the letter confirming the biopsy today. This is going to sound weird but I keep forgetting that I haven't had it yet and checking for side effects.

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detectivedefective · 12/01/2024 08:44

Hi there I keep thinking of you- really hope you are ok?

kerstina · 12/01/2024 11:38

How are you getting on Willowkins ? Have you had the biopsy ?
I chased up my biopsy results as it was nearly a month since the biopsy.They told me on the phone it was a reassuring discharge but I have still had no official letter .They must be overwhelmed.
I have X-ray of my knee next week as still having constant pain six months after an injury. At least I have stopped fretting about the lump though.
Thinking of Willowkins and all others facing the investigation/ diagnosis process.

Original poster

Willowkins · 12/01/2024 18:46

Thanks@kerstina I've been wondering how you were getting on. I've been turned away from my biopsy twice due to a lingering infection and the risk of sepsis. I'm now on my second lot of antibiotics. At the last failed attempt, I asked the doctor if he could help me weigh up the risk of waiting a further 2 weeks and he had a look at my CT and went through the risk factors with me and said it was safer to wait. It is frustrating but hopefully no news means good news.

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kerstina · 12/01/2024 20:21

Oh that’s a shame Willowkins .I hope you are not feeling poorly with it ? So frustrating for you. Hope it a case of 3 rd time lucky and the infection has cleared up.

kerstina · 19/01/2024 08:47

Any progress Willowkins with the biopsy ? Hope infection has cleared up.

Original poster

Willowkins · 19/01/2024 18:11

Next appointment booked for end of this month. Just finished the second course of antibiotics so hoping that's worked. Do you have any news yet?

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kerstina · 21/01/2024 09:28

Still not received official letter regarding lump so wondering if I will even get one. I had an X-ray of my knee. Nothing broken but showed tiny suprapatellar swelling consistent with effusion and or synovitis . Dr additionally put no evidence of arthritis which I found surprising as that’s what they had first thought. Also started physio and he was great managed to get my knee bending again. Still in a lot of pain especially at night.
Hope the antibiotics have worked for you Willowkins. I might have to push for tests for my mum for bladder cancer as they found traces of blood in her urine and she had been going long periods of time up to 24 hours without using the toilet and becoming incontinent recently. She has dementia though so I honestly don’t know what do do for the best as I don’t want to put her through unnecessary tests. She is in a home .

Original poster

Willowkins · 21/01/2024 15:57

It's so difficult to know what to do for the best for our loved ones, when they can't advocate for themselves. Sometimes, it's even harder when they can. It sounds like you have enough going on already.

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Original poster

Willowkins · 31/01/2024 18:18

Finally had the test - they've confirmed I do in fact have a lump but it's not where they expected and they don't know what it is. Still waiting for results but they don't think it's cancer. This could have ended so differently.
Any news@kerstina?

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kerstina · 31/01/2024 21:14

So glad you have had good news Willowkins and welcome relief from the worry of it all . Hope they can shed more light on what it is as soon as they can .
i typed out a longer reply but must have taken so long I couldn’t post it !
I am ok still suffering with leg but will see how it goes and not pushing for bladder cancer tests with mum as they noticed she has a hernia which might explain some of her symptoms.

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