Waiting for biopsy results...

[marmitesandwiches]

Hi there,

Looking for some kindly - and possibly more knowledgable - people to hold my hand!

Background is that I found a lump in my breast around 6 weeks ago - around 2 months after I finished breast-feeding DS2. After a few weeks wait (sent home from doctors to wait for 2 weeks before they would refer me, another 2 weeks for appointment etc etc), I saw the consultant who examined me and said he thought it was probably a galactocele (milk-filled cyst?) - even though it is very hard. That sounded right as I stopped breastfeeding when DS2 was 15 months but very suddenly so breasts were v engorged.

Went back to the clinic yesterday - on my own as DH had to do school run - to have mammogram and ultrasound. Was expecting that during ultrasound they would try a fine needle aspiration and wasn't too worried about it. However, the doctor looked very serious, took 3 core biopsy samples and then said he was also going to FNA the lymph nodes under my arm. Eek!

Sent back upstairs to see the consultant, who appeared accompanied by a cancer nurse who wouldn't comment on what they'd seen on the ultrasound enigmatically said they'd seen something on the mammogram they didn't like.

Am now due to go back for the results on 21 December - but much more worried than I was before and wish I'd asked more questions. I understand that anything they said would have been speculation - but I would have liked to know where they were in their thinking (i.e., if they now suspect cancer and have abandoned their earlier diagnosis).

Have thought of either ringing the clinic or asking my doctor whether the notes have been copied to them for my file - though I suspect the best advice is just to sit tight and try to concentrate on finishing my Xmas shopping.

Any thoughts on the above v welcome!! V scarey, isn't it - and this could be just the beginning! How does everyone cope??

Hello marmite - so sorry you are going through this scary time, you can certainly ring the clinic or speak to your GP for more information - its very hard to think of the right questions to ask when you are suddenly confronted with worrying information.

I really just wanted to say come and join us on the tamoxifen 17 thread, there are lots of people on there who can help and support you - we are all women who have either had breast cancer, or are waiting for surgery or test results - it can really help to talk things over with people who've been there

The way to cope? - it's very hard, - keeping busy, dealing with each day as it comes, having someone to support you at your appointments if possible really helps too. The waiting is the hardest bit, once you have a diagnosis and a treatment plan it does actually become a bit easier - you know what you are dealing with. But that is getting ahead of things, - they tend to be very thorough at breast clinics, and err on the side of caution, so try not to let your mind wander past your next appointment.

lots of luck and xx

heck Marmite, that all sounds like a lot to take in. Kurri's right, nip over to Tamoxifen. We've all been through some version of it, from totally benign to worst nightmare, so we totally get it and can probably help/ distract/ make it a bit easier for you.

Thanks so much for your replies - lovely to get some virtual hugs! Sorry - was a bit of a drain dump . Really should use the 'preview post' function to perform some judicious editing.

I shall come and hang out on Tamoxifen - and otherwise try to focus on other things. Quite lucky it's near Christmas in some ways - have lots of things to distract me .

xx

tamoxifen 17 thred here