Referral to Breast Clinic

Dear

i just wanted to say hello , and sorry that you have had to visit this site.  Excellent that you have been referred to the breast clinic.

Lets hope you hear from them soon, one way or another you need to know if your lump is something or nothing. It’s the unknown and waiting that is the worst . Don’t know if I would be happy to wait 8 weeks. Definitely go back after 6 from now ( not six from the 2 week wait to hear from breast clinic ) .

i could say not to worry but that’s impossible. Just keep busy , be good to yourself, get a pedicure or get your hair done . No massages for now . 

Take care

Love Ruby Rose  

Hi ,

Thank you for such a warm welcome!

Surprisingly, I got a phone call today and have got an appointment on Tuesday 14th at the Breast Clinic! It was so unexpected and such a relief.

Now I've noticed my anxiety has been moved from "Will I ever get this checked out" to "Oh my God, I'm going to have these tests done all alone" and I'm just  stuck with all these 'what ifs'.

Really wish this wasn't all happening during a pandemic so I could take my partner in with me. 

I suffer with anxiety but recently it's been manageable (surprisingly, considering the virus going around). I'm worried this will all set me back and I need to be strong for my 16 month old.

Good morning

great you have your appointment , the less waiting the better .

i have my 2yr follow up mammogram on Wednesday , should have been March but under the circumstances I think they are doing well catching up . I too will have to go into the hospital alone . I had my husband to support me all the way from day one in January 2018. But there are advantages in going alone . My second year review was by telephone call , which I took in my bedroom - one to one . I was able to ask all my stupid questions, not really stupid , really questions I kind of knew the answers too and knew they were nothing to worry about , but I wouldn’t have asked them in front of hubby as they would have set him worrying . It was great chatting and laughing with the breast care nurse . 
For instance - I had reconstruction and some time my new breast feels weird ( in my head ) like hard but when I touch it , it’s soft and normal . That’s normal , to do with nerves etc , which I thought it would be . Hubby would have worried mega !!

so write down ALL your questions , Take a little notebook and pen . My son had a friend who asked if she could record the conversation on her phone as she was alone - yes she was allowed to.

but the main thing is the notebook and pen - if your emotional by either good or inconclusive news , ask the doctor or nurse to write down the main points of the next step ( if any ) .

This is your life and you take all the time you need . Unfortunately for me , I had cancer and I was very emotional and my husband asked if we could have time in a private place before leaving . We did and cried. breast care nurse came and chatted again . I was ok to leave after the informal chat , I know I had my husband but lots of my emotions were for him . So embrace what happens at your appointment. The fighter in you will come to the fore to either fight bad news or get a new fight to live every day to the full and rejoice . 

I am living life to the full ! Even with COVID-19 spoiling our let’s go on holiday every other month plans ! 

so not long till Tuesday , just keep busy loving and playing with your little family .

Lots of love

Ruby Rose  

oh I power dressed for all my appointments ! Even when I was in hospital - lippy on !!  So hair done the best you can , lipstick on , nice blouse ( easier for examination and won’t ruffle your hair ) favourite perfume too. Go girl xx

Hi Nazmay95,

So pleased to hear that your appointment has come through for next Tuesday. gives good advice and going alone to appointments does have its advantages in that it allows you to ask all those little niggles that you would not in front of your partner so as not to worry him more. I found since lockdown (when I was diagnosed ) that a notebook with all questions and answers from the experts has proved to be very useful and keeps all my contact numbers in one place.Needless to say I have not shared the fact that going alone has been advantageous with my wonderful husband !

I hope that you find that the wonderful staff guide you through the experience and answer all your questions. Take it one step at a time and rest assured that even in these covid times they will take care of you. Sending big hugs xx Kwissy

Thank you and Kwissy!

Will definitely take all this into consideration. 

I was planning to record the appointment anyway because I'm too forgetful and I've tried pen and paper to write during appointments before but end up feeling too awkward doing that. 

I do agree that it's probably better that way and if I had the choice, I may have chosen to be alone anyway. I guess if it turns out to be bad news, I will have time to soak it all in and put on a brave face for my partner. I think, alot of my anxiety is coming from this feeling of not being 'in control' and just the fear of the unknown, I guess.

As stupid and naïve as it sounds, I think I'm more scared right now because of the whole build up to the day of the appointment rather than being worried about possibly having cancer. Of course I'm worried about that as well but I think my anxiety is more focused on not knowing exactly what will happen at the appointment. 

Can you guys let me know what exactly happens when you go for testing. Do you get results on the same day? What kind of information do they give, if any?

Hi Nazmay95

I can only telll you what happened to me way back in march of this year.I was called to the breast centre following a routine mammography . I continue to request  this every 3 years even though over 70  having been advised to do so by my previous breast surgeon (cancer of right breast 21 years ago)As it turned out this was a wise decision.!

After changing into a gown a repeat mammogram was performed after giving details of past medical history and current medications.After a very short delay I was taken to another room to be given anultrasound examination. I was shown on the monitor what was found. The breast surgeon then examined my breast and could not feel anything but did confirm that it was almost certain that there was a cancer. He asked for a metal staple to be inserted at the site under local anaesthetic so only a slight pressure felt. This was used later to identify the tumour at the time of my operation.A core biopsy was taken again under local anaesthetic to be sent to the laboratory for further investigation and staging.

I was then told to dress and the surgeon and breast care nurse explained my future treatment and I was given booklets to read on the possible outcomes and treatmentsThe results of the tests were given to me officially at my next visit about 2 weeks later. I have since had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy and 5days of radiotherapy treatment.Now a fortnight after the treatments and looking forward to getting on with normal life again.

This site and the members on it have prooved to be a great support to me and I hope they do for you too. Hope this all helps to allay your fears which are in my experience far worse than what happens in reality. Sending you more hugs xxKwissy

Thank you Kwissy, that did seem to calm my nerves slightly.

I'm glad you're okay now and can go back to normality.

I wish you all the best and thank you for your help.

Hi ,

I understand your worry, but you’ve come to a great place for support, and some excellent advice already. 

Just to say I wasn’t allowed anyone with me for all the investigation side anyway, just for results/discussions, and then if you’re able but still not allowed anyone with you do ask if you can record on your phone, or have a list of questions and ask for the time to write down replies, it helps! 

Hope you get the ‘all clear’ but do keep checking anyway, at least once a month. And keep posting to let us know how you get on 

Hugs xxx

Hi

How did your appointment go ? 

Hope your well. 

love

Ruby