How do I stay sane whilst waiting for breast clinic appointment?

[MrsKilminster]

I noticed a red papule-type thing on one breast the other day that seemed to appear overnight. Off I went to consult Dr Google (big mistake!) and diagnosed myself with inflammatory breast cancer (the worst kind, dismal cure rate). Went to the GP yesterday who seemed a bit flummoxed and gave me some hydrocortisone cream to use for one week and made appointment to see me one week hence. Now I've noticed a brownish patch of skin on the same breast higher up, which may or not have been there for ages (can't be sure). Again I go onto Dr Google (despite banning myself) and worry myself sick it might be cancer. GP said she'd refer me for an urgent two week breast clinic appointment next week if my symptoms haven't cleared up. So I have to wait at least 3 weeks for this to be followed up (if it's necessary).

I suffer from really bad anxiety anyway and this has tipped me over the edge. I can't eat or sleep and don't know how I'll get through the next week. I'm thinking I may have some sort of health anxiety too, although I'm not imagining the things on my skin. Does anyone have any tips on how to get through the wait? I've already decided to write my will and am worried about who's going to take the dog out when I'm in hospital :(

That sounds positive too Waffling

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That so nds like it's not a malignancy but that they aren't sure what is causing the problem. It it's intermittent, they'll have a problem giving a firm diagnosis. It means in next six months, if problems recur you can get it sorted. All good.

Glad to hear positive news from both snowdrop & waffling - waffling, sounds like you're firmly 'in the system' so you can go back urgently if anything changes, which hopefully it won't. Good luck to all those still waiting for appts.

I purchased a book after my clinic appointment called "Mindfulness for worriers", as I was surprised at how anxious I'd become over the appt. I also now take starflower oil (has a higher GLA content than eve primrose, which is what you need for helping breast pain) and am wearing much more supportive bras. Has helped hugely & I rarely have breast pain anymore.

Did you get a clinic referral in the end @MrsKilminster?

Hi All, I went through very similar to Crumbs and had the diagnosis this week of stage 2 cancer with a small lump but have to go back for two more biopsies of teeny tiny calcium thingies which might be nothing or might be something. Hoping it's nothing cos then its a lumpectomy and radiation only. Really don't know when to tell family as feel a bit in limbo. Have to say that the NHS has been brilliant. I'm ok if I'm doing something (the garden is finally getting weeded), or just chatting but get bouts of heebie jeebies at other times.

I'm sorry Flying. That said, it's more manageable and less awful than you think. I told my husband (I went to appointment alone) but we decided against telling the children initially because there were three of them mid public exams. I told them just before I had surgery and they were relieved because they'd imagined something worse as had felt the inevitable tension. I didn't tell rest of family, anyone at work apart from my line manager and three close friends. I also told children's schools in case of meltdowns. Most people at work and most friends still don't know.
Surgery was fine, I had a clearance of all lymph nodes so although only a lumpectomy the axillary surgery was more major. NHS was fantastic. I spent four days in a single room watching Wimbledon.
My boobs are pretty good still. Scar isn't at all prominent but one side is marginally smaller than other. I use padded t shirt bra that irons out the disparity. I certainly have never woken up and felt deformed or thought my husband wouldn't want to look at me.
You have to do it your way but I am convinced a positive attitude, as much knowledge as possible and a lovely family made it entirely doable.

Thank you so much crumbs. Really heartening to know. I think I'm going to wait to tell boys until I know whether the surgery is going to be lumpectomy or mastectomy followed by chemo. One knows I am going to hospital on Tuesday but because he has regular apts because of his diabetes he's not phased and didn't ask why as to him its all quite normal.

I'm thinking I will just tell my sisters as I think they need to know in terms of their own health. I will wait to tell my mother until I know what is what because she will want to 'help' and actually mean more work for me.

The cancer hasn't reached the lymph nodes so she's going to remove the first couple only, which is good.

Just been out with DH for a meal and feel much happier and normal.

Hopefully all will go smoothly but even IF you needed chemo you come out the other side and nowhere near as bad as you're imagining and other people's reactions suggest. There are plus sides but you might not be ready to see them yet. Some of my funniest moments ever relate to the word 'cancer' so much misinformation and fear that other people's reactions can border on plain ridiculous.
When I did mention it to my mother her only comment was "Yes, your sisters pony is lame as well". Put it into perspective!