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Breast Clinic Referral - Terrified

163 replies

Octopus45 · 14/09/2023 20:37

Hi ladies, I've read a few other threads on here so know I'm not on my own. I'm 48, have been on HRT for just over two years and and at the beginning of the Summer I became aware of a lump in my right breast. Kept forgetting about it, thinking it was nothing, not sure what my boob normally feels like, wondering whether I should go to the GP when they are all overstretched and I'm overstretched and never have any time. Today I made an appointment and got seen tonight at one of our GP hubs. Explained to the male GP, he immediately said he would refer me to the breast clinic. He then said he could examine me if I wanted, I said ok cause I wanted him to reassure me that he was sure it was nothing. He examined me and said he could definitely feel a hard lump and it was a bit concerning, but could be a cyst. I should hear about my appointment within two weeks, maybe three weeks. My head is spinning, I'm panicking, blaming myself for not going to the GP a bit earlier, blaming myself for taking HRT, not doing things right etc, - all pointless I know btw. I lost my Dad just under a year ago (prostate cancer), I cannot confide in my Sister cause she will go crazy with worry, my best mate's Mum is dying of cancer that has spread to her spine. So far only my DH knows, I haven't told our Sons and I wont unless there is something to tell. Life is too busy for this and I'm thinking why me, but I remember when it was my Mum (she died of leukemia when I was 27), she said well the logic is why not me, she was right. Family history, my Auntie had breast cancer in 1997 when she was 52 and on HRT, she had a lumpectomy. She has a lot of health problems these days, cannot burden her with this. Sitting here wondering how I'm going to hold it together until my appointment. I know its the same for everyone, sorry for all you ladies who are going through the same thing.

OP posts:
Octopus45 · 27/09/2023 17:22

@WhoNeedsToSleepAnyway thinking about you. Hope you get a call soon.

@Snipples that cost is absolutely shocking.

@GoldenSpangles thanks for sharing that. My Auntie had breast cancer in 1997. Her treatment was successful

OP posts:
Snipples · 28/09/2023 13:02

@WhoNeedsToSleepAnyway hope your results appt goes well today.

I'm calling up the hosp tomorrow to see where I am in the list (my doc advised me to do this). Flipping between being calm and what will be will be; to blind panic when I overthink.

WhoNeedsToSleepAnyway · 28/09/2023 14:35

My appointment is at 3.15 today. I am flipping between holding it together and nervous... trying to keep busy until I need to leave work but failing abysmally (thank goodness the appt is 5mins from work!)

Snipples · 28/09/2023 14:46

I'll be thinking of you.

Just know whatever happens there will be a plan and take it all one step at a time. Good luck 🍀

Roxygirl1516 · 28/09/2023 16:40

Good luck today let us know how it goes!

@Snipples yes all ok apparently! But as I said in a bit unsure as they felt so quickly and I expected them to examine whole breast rather than the patch I said so now I’ve convinced they missed the actual lump which I know is ridiculous and everyone is telling me not to be so stupid and they know what they’re looking for

Lavenderosa · 28/09/2023 17:19

@Roxygirl1516 If it's causing you a great deal of anxiety, your GP might refer you for a mammogram if that would reduce your worry. Have you asked?

Roxygirl1516 · 28/09/2023 17:56

Well I did get referred, this was at the brewmaster clinic. I had an ultrasound. Too young for mammogram

WhoNeedsToSleepAnyway · 28/09/2023 17:57

All ok for me! Sending positive vibes for anyone else waiting

HughCanoe · 28/09/2023 17:59

Delighted whoneeds. Glad all is well.

Hellocatshome · 28/09/2023 18:20

Fantastic @WhoNeedsToSleepAnyway I think this thread is so far proving the most referrals to the breast clinic dont end in a cancer diagnosis rule, long may it continue.

tothelefttotheleft · 28/09/2023 18:55

Roxygirl1516 · 28/09/2023 17:56

Well I did get referred, this was at the brewmaster clinic. I had an ultrasound. Too young for mammogram

To young for a mammogram? Do you have to be a certain age?

TheFormidableMrsC · 28/09/2023 19:12

WhoNeedsToSleepAnyway · 28/09/2023 17:57

All ok for me! Sending positive vibes for anyone else waiting

Fantastic news!

HughCanoe · 28/09/2023 19:18

tothelefttotheleft · 28/09/2023 18:55

To young for a mammogram? Do you have to be a certain age?

I think it's over 40 for mammogram due to breast density

Callywals · 28/09/2023 19:21

So pleased for all those getting good results x

WhoNeedsToSleepAnyway · 28/09/2023 20:24

Thank you everyone for your well wishes. The clinic were running 2hrs late, so a nervous wait! Then the file said the results were still awaited! So after a bit if a search on the system the results appeared! My nerves this afternoon were very frayed.

Octopus45 · 28/09/2023 23:13

@WhoNeedsToSleepAnyway so pleased that you are ok, what an afternoon for you with all the waiting. Hope you can relax now

OP posts:
HughCanoe · 28/09/2023 23:47

Hope it goes well for you tomorrow Octopus 🐙💐

Lavenderosa · 29/09/2023 08:50

Wishing you all the best for today @Octopus45

Callywals · 29/09/2023 09:24

@Octopus45 hoping everything goes well for you today x

Snipples · 29/09/2023 09:57

Good luck for today @Octopus45

@WhoNeedsToSleepAnyway that's great news. So chuffed for you!

Octopus45 · 29/09/2023 14:52

Thank you, unfortunately I'm going to turn the tone of this thread, cause it isn't good news. Almost definitely cancerous, a very very small chance it is pre-cancerous, but that normally presents as calcification, not a lump. I had a mammogram, an ultrasound and they took three biopsies. I asked the sonographer if it was cancer and she was honest with me and said it looks that way. I'm going to be sent an appointment for in about 10 days time, once they have looked at the biopsies, receptors and worked out a treatment plan. Two bits of good news, one it is what they call a 2 and has been caught early. Secondly, it doesn't appear to have spread to my lymph nodes. Sorry to bring the tone of this thread down.

OP posts:
WhoNeedsToSleepAnyway · 29/09/2023 16:08

I am sorry to hear that. Sending you hugs and well wishes. Try to take one step at a time, next step finding out for certain and then a plan.

Freezingcoldinseptember · 29/09/2023 16:14

We aren't fair weather posters op... Support regardless... So sorry.. Hope you have real life support at this time.... Keep us in mind if you need a chat.

Roxygirl1516 · 29/09/2023 16:18

I’m so sorry @Octopus45 how are you feeling with this news?

Hellocatshome · 29/09/2023 16:50

Oh dear @Octopus45 not the news you wanted but there are positives there in terms of the likelihood of it being fairly easily treatable.