Breast Clinic Appointment - Did you take someone with you ?

[AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc]

I have an appointment next week after finding a lump about 2 weeks ago. Rang GP last week, got seen the same day and had my appointment for the one stop clinic within an hour of getting home. The speed in which these things are addressed is amazing !

I am a very level headed person, I don't tend to spiral, I can put things away and keep distracted but gosh, I am struggling with this one.
I have a feeling. Absolutely nothing to substantiate it but I just have a feeling it's something rather than nothing.

I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about my kids and my husband. And I know there is absolutely no point in worrying at the moment. I just can't seem to keep distracted enough to keep the thoughts away.

Anyway, the point of my post was to find out if you took someone with you to the one stop appointment ? Part of me is thinking if it is bad news then there will be lots more appointments my husband needs to be at so this one isn't necessary. But then the thought of getting bad news on my own isn't a particularly nice one either.

Good luck. Whatever the news, you'll be in good hands - I would take someone to the appt just so, between you, you get the facts right and ask appropriate questions. From one who's been through it all and out the other side, I slept walked through most of the appts and just nodded with a smile as the news got worse and worse! It was my darling daughter who wrote it all down, chivvied them along and made my case when necessary. Fingers crossed for you x

@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc Wishing you all the best with whatever comes next. Sending love. Xx

Thank you both.

The Breast Care Nurse has just called me back. She wouldn’t give me any information, said it had to come via the Consultant and at that appointment there would be a clear plan.

I stressed that I need to feel prepared with any questions I might have but she didn’t budge.

If this is the case, surely there can’t be a one size fits all approach. I appreciate some people don’t want to know but I cope so much better armed with information. Even if they are just possibilities. The unknown is horrendous for me 😢

@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc I just wanted to share with you that the unknown is indeed very difficult. I have had a diagnosis of breast cancer (as you can see from my rather unhelpfully-uncalming username!) and I honestly think that the worst part of the whole process was the very beginning when things were uncertain and there was information trickling in with no clear plan. Of course I hope that you don't end up with a breast cancer diagnosis - but just to say that if you do then you are currently doing the most stressful part of the whole thing (in my opinion). So please be kind to yourself and just get through this patch of waiting as best you can.

My husband was there when I was diagnosed (they took us into a nice room with sofa and tissues so I realised, and asked them to get to the point). I thought I was listening to the details but actually I was just saying 'I'm not going on Tamoxifen' over and over, so my husband remembered the details. Especially about length of wait times as waiting is the worst thing.
(I did go on Tamoxifen for 10 years and had no side effects!).

I went on my own for the tests, as I wasn't finding out anything there and then.
My dh came with me to meet the consultant for the diagnosis.

Like @Assumingthebest , we went into a room with the consultant and a Specialist Breast Cancer Nurse, and were given diagnosis. Bit of time to process, then the treatment plan. Able to ask anything. Then the nurse took us into another room - sofa, tissues, nice cuppa - and let us process and offered to go over everything again, slowly, and explaining anything we wanted. Was then given a number on which I could call them at any time.

I'm hoping your appt goes well @AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc . I agree with you that the waiting was the worst part.

I had my appointment on Friday. My son dropped me off but didn’t come in. My hospital had asked for no visitors or non urgent people to attend as they have a norovirus outbreak so everyone in the breast clinic was alone. I hope you have a good outcome x

My own outcome was that it was a sebaceous cyst that happened to be in my breast tissue rather than a breast lump. As it had doubled in size I was referred on the 2 week pathway and at 60 I thought it’s bound to be cancer but it wasn’t x

Hi, as people have said this waiting bit is the worse. I was also diagnosed back in 2018 and they thought it would be a cyst at first. Anyway long story short, like you said you like to know what’s going on and once you see them they’ll be able to tell you what’s going on and make a plan whatever it is. Do take someone with you with a notebook and pen so you can go back over details afterwards once you’ve had chance to think. My experience was very positive. 🪻

My husband came with me (thankfully a fibroadenoma) but was worse than useless the next time I received bad news (severe heart failure) so if I was ever in the same situation again I would go alone.

I completely feel for you - the worst week of my life was waiting to see a consultant. I can only describe it as torture and far worse than anything that happened afterwards (very early ductal carcinoma - dealt with quickly & fine now). Everyone I know in this situation has said the same about treatment being much easier to deal with than the dreaded unknown period when your mind goes bananas.

I wish I could make you feel better and the time to go faster for you. I downloaded loads of comedy podcasts and audiobooks to keep me distracted at night. Hang in there - we're all rooting for you! 💐

.....and don't, however tempted you are, go on a Dr Google hunt!! 💐