Driving to the breast clinic

[selfmademaniac]

I’ve been referred to the breast clinic 1 stop shop- in a 2 week pathway. The information I have is that i will need to allow enough time to have a biopsy.

Please can anyone who has experience of this tell me if it is likely that I will need someone to drive me home after this - or is it realistic to be thinking of driving myself?

I drove myself - it was fine. Good luck

I wasn’t sore until the next day, but you could take a paracetamol when you get there if you’re worried. Though depending how worried you are / what they say, you might find you are emotionally wobbly and don’t want to drive.

I drove myself home, I wasn’t expecting a biopsy however, it wasn’t that sore after just a little bit the next day.

Hope it goes well for you.

I drove both ways, a 90 minute round trip.
However I would recommend you take someone.
The breast clinic is a one stop shop. They have doctors, radiologists and specialist breast care nurses. You will probably have a mammogram first and then see the doctor who will have the results in front of her. The doctor will examine you and then arrange an ultrasound. They may do a biopsy at that point as well.
Then you go back in to see the doctor.
Their expertise is such that they often know at this point whether it’s cancer and they will tell you if they think it’s likely, they won’t send you home without a clue.
This can easily take 3 or 4 hours but at the end you have a good idea what’s wro
ng.
In my case they said they were 95%sure it was cancer. I really wasn't expecting it, I felt sure it was going to be something trivial. I hadn't even told DH at that point. So having someone with you is a good idea

No problem with driving.

I didn't find the biopsy painful either.

I think the potential most challenging thing is if you received bad news, but, for me, that wasn't at that first appt. Sometimes after appts I'd go and get a coffee and relax a bit before driving home.

Remember, the overwhelming majority of referrals don't end up being cancer.
Best of luck

I have had so many breast biopsies I have honestly lost count. The last one was 3 months ago. The local stings a bit but that's all. The biopsy taking itself makes a noise like a stapler ( well it does to me) but you don't feel it. I've never needed painkillers afterwards either

You'll be fine to drive home physically. The only catch is whether they do think they've found something potentially serious when it may be better to have someone with you. I'm the sort who would rather be alone to process things so I never do.

Physically it's not too bad but mine was quite painful for a week or so afterwards and the bruising was wild.

Emotionally I was floored and was in no shape to drive home - luckily I had DH with me.

Thank you everyone it’s helpful to try and work out a plan - Do I need to think about taking time off work after - I have the day for the appointment- but I’m just starting a new job this week.

I drove myself and went back to work after.

Drove myself. Biopsy wasn't at all painful and i had no pain or bruising after it.

I was physically fine to work the next day, a bit sore but not enough to bother taking any painkillers.

I had two separate lots of biopsy’s they found a second tumour. The second tumour was deeper and I was bruised and felt slightly battered after. I still drove myself home 25 mile trip and I went back to work.
To be on the safe side take some Paracetamol with you just incase.
My Breast care team were some of the kindest most reassuring people I have ever met. Good Luck.

I drove myself and was fine to drive, it was finding a parking spot that was the real pain! Take a taxi? If it’s a long way, drive to a supermarket or similar near the hospital, and call an Uber from there.

I drove there and back. I ended up with a bruise but nothing more problematic than that. Working was no issue.

Thank you for the reassurance, I’m a long way out of town so driving will be needed. DH driving me will need childcare and annual leave finding so it would be a last resort.

If I go in my own it also gives me some space for processing things which I would prefer anyway