Well, this wasn't in the plan! (Breast lump)

[quincymincy]

I woke up yesterday morning, bizarrely with my hand on my boob, and felt a lump. I was in a hotel at the time so got up, had a bath, swore a bit (a lot). Thankfully the drs fitted me in today and I have been referred to the breast clinic.

I have literally just turned 50 this month, we are in the process of buying/selling so we can move, work is super busy (but a job I really enjoy) and I am the main breadwinner.

Not sure why I am posting really, but I am not ready to share this with anyone in rl yet, other than DH who I have just said it is probably one of a million other things before it is anything nasty.

Hi @quincymincy and a hand hold. If it's any comfort early detection and modern medicine mean theses things (if it is bad news) are not the terrible prospect they were even in recent years.

And you know that 1 in 10 (some say 1 in 20) lumps referred to breast clinics are benign and even those that aren't are treatable and usually curable ...

But still something you could do without 🌷

I've been there. Fortunately breast clinic appointments are done very urgently and they are very thorough. You should get seen within 2 weeks. On the day you will have a mammogram then see a doctor. They may also do an ultrasound and possibly a biopsy. They will have the results of all but the biopsy immediately and the doctor will tell you what they think it is. If they think it's cancer they will say so even though a biopsy is required to confirm.
Most often it is not cancer and they will reassure you.

The hard part is waiting. There is a fabulous long running thread on here called the cancer thread where you can get a hand hold while waiting and stay if it's bad news. Or wave happily goodbye if it's not.
Good luck

Thank you all. Dr did say two weeks for the clinic. It's good to have z ask idea of what to expect. Definitely something that everyone could do without. But, you know, I was just thinking what do I want to get out of the next 10 years and get this curve ball.
I'm going to try not to catastrophise. I will go and read my 50 page house survey to take my mind off it.

That's the spirit @quincymincy mind you no need to read the survey, I'll summarise it for you:
It is a house but we didn't look at anything in depth as we couldn't lift the carpet or go in the roof. Buy it if you want to but blame us if it falls down.

Don't blame us !!

@Sporranrummager I should have just paid you the £800 😂😂

Just got a text from the surgery about 'my urgent referral' and a document. Something else to read I suppose. I should be working really....

Ah donut is an information leaflet. I had to print it as it was tiny on my phone. But that must mean I am 'in the system' for an appointment already I guess, even though I only saw the dr 2.5hrs ago.

Sorry, I am just thinking out loud.

*document not a donut 🍩

Another text confirming referral.

They do move quickly with the "two week" referrals which can be disconcerting when you're used to the snail's pace of the NHS! It makes you think "gosh they're acting like something's really up with me!"

Two week referrals come with the territory of being 50 plus ...

Ah sorry to hear this; I imagine it feels totally overwhelming

If it helps to know more about the mammogram side of things, I started a thread about mine recently - just a routine one which was fine (so obviously you may not think it relevant) but I got loads of good advice from MNers:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/4236931-Mammogram-advice-for-first-timer

Thank you @ValerieMorghulis . I will take a look.

@ShoebillStork I'm not sure they were the kind of privileges I was looking for in being over 50!

Appointment bookend for next Monday. Grabbed the first one available. Just need to decide if I go alone or with DH. It feels like if I take him it makes it more real. I don't even know if he would be allowed in so could be a waste of time .

House moving stuff is moving forward too - I feel like if it is bad news moving house would not be a good idea financially, physically or mentally.

I doubt whether partners are allowed, I have a lot of medical appointments and it's strictly patient only atm.
It may be a long job. You could be there 2 to 3 hours depending what tests they do and how busy they are so take something to distract you. The good thing is that's instead of 3 or 4 separate appontments.
How close is the house move? You'll have a good idea in a week's time whether it's all fine or not.

I went to the Breast Clinic and was there for 4 hours.

No partners were allowed. Going tomorrow for biopsy results and have been told I can take someone

Just a handhold. I have been there and done this a fair few times and the waiting is the worst. I have always been ok. Lots of love to you

I took my husband with me, but to be honest I should have gone alone. We got there 1.30 pm and left at 5.30 pm. I had 2 mammograms, one normal then another super duper one, then waited to see consultant who thought it nothing sinister but needed to do biopsy to check. They give you a local anaesthetic, then I had to wait 30 minutes to make sure I was ok. When the nurse came in, it was then that it hit me as she was very kind and said try not to worry and to rest the next day. I really prefer straightforward people, anyway so I burst out crying and so she waited for me to calm down, more calming words, then I could leave. Follow up appointment made for one week later, but received a phone call that morning telling me all was ok, so didn’t need to go back. I went to work day after biopsy, but I did struggle with pain in the afternoon and was glad to get home and rest.

Good luck, hope all is ok.

I know it’s hard not to think the worst but the vast majority of lumps are not cancer. I’ve been referred a few times and they’ve been cysts. Try not to worry as much as you can.

Just also wanted to add- my appointment was very quick. They felt the lump and then did an ultrasound and that confirmed it was a cyst each time. I’ve never needed a biopsy.

I had my appt yesterday after finding a lump 2 weeks ago. All very efficient I had examination mammogram and ultrasound all within an hour. Luckily mine was a lipoma so no need for further tests. All on NHS. Good luck with yours!

Going through the same currently, so I feel your anxiety OP! Of those who have been to the breast clinic recently, can you tell us if partners will be allowed to stay? In my hospital letter it states that due to Covid I must attend alone unless I need "vital support". What exactly does this mean?

I was told after my biopsy that they thought it was cancer. I had no one with me.

Appointment tomorrow to meet the consultant and presumably confirming cancer diagnosis and treatment plan I've been told I can take someone.

I think that's what they mean. If it's nothing they will ring you, if it's something that needs further investigation you go in to see them again.

Thank you all very much for your comments it really does help.

@BG2015 I am sorry you are going through this. I wish you well for tomorrow.

I am being very grumpy with my DH. Poor sod.
The estate agent rang for a progress update today. We are about 75% through I think and are talking dates. I had to fib to buy some time and say we haven't heard back about a piece of information when we actually have.

I have come into the office to work more this week to try and be distracted more. WFH can be great but very isolating at times