A little advice please

Hi Pinkle

So sorry you have got all of these worries and concerns, the waiting seems intolerable at times.my experience, being male, will be similar but what I really wanted to do was provide some reassurance at this scary time for you. 
having been through this cancer diagnosis, treatment and care roller coaster twice before my own diagnosis, I had no hesitation in using the NHS rather than going private. Once you are in the system, as you are now, the service is brilliant and I could not fault any part of my 3 now experiences of using the NHS. You are in really good hands.

i know it is a worrying time but you will receive the best of care from our wonderful health care system. Sure there can be waits between appointments and getting a diagnosis, I think this is in part created by the level of care taken at each stage as well as the practicalities of the complex and detailed work they do for us.

My scans and biopsy for breast cancer were done within the 2 week window. I did have to wait 2 weeks for the diagnosis appointment and coped by keeping myself as busy as possible, pretty easy for me as I work on a small farm as well as my day job. Exercise plenty and use the time to look at your diet/exercise regime and get yourself as fit and healthy as possible. Try to do something constructive during the wait time. Exercise will also help a little with getting a better nights sleep. If you don’t have a good diagnosis you will be in a better shape prior to treatment which helps recovery. If you get the all clear, as I hope you will, you will have made a start to a more healthy lifestyle which is a good way to stop ever having to deal with this situation again in the future.

Keep positive whatever the result and if you do need more help there are loads of great people on this site to assist.

Fingers and toes crossed you don’t have to join this club.

take care

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to reply. 

I'm a personal trainer and class instructor so diet and exercise are my livelihood, what you're saying is absolutely right and great advice. I do feel like I'm in pretty good shape!

I'm also going through a messy divorce and have court this week so thats keeping me busy and stressed too. I'm a single parent of two so I think with everything going on I feel quite overwhelmed. 

Thank you for sharing your experience with me, something you said really resonated- "the complex and detailed work they do" - you're absolutely right again, this process takes time because it is so complex.

You have helped me to stop and take a breath, for that I am truly grateful.

Thank you, all the best.

Hi , lovely reply already from MrT1, just wanted to add my support and a big virtual hug. You’re at a horrible stage, lots of us have said the waiting is the worst part. 
Re when you’ll know whether all is ok or not, it’s hard to say as it depends what they find out from the initial tests. In my case I was told after mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies, that they were sure it was cancer. But I’ve had lots of previous referrals where the lump or lumpiness turned out to be benign. Sometimes it was evident from an ultrasound, but with another it wasn’t certain till after it had been removed. But nowadays I think they usually have a pretty good idea from that first clinic visit. Then it’s waiting for the biopsy results to know what particular type of beast it is! 
Sounds like you have lots of other difficult stuff on your plate at the moment. Do try to bear in mind that most lumps and bumps are not cancerous. Like you I have a family history of cancer (breast and prostate) but out of three sisters I’m the only one who’s got it (so far, fingers crossed I remain the only one). It’s certainly not a given and in fact I was convinced 15 years ago that the lump I had then was cancer, but it revealed itself to be a fibroadenoma. 
Keep busy, keep posting, will be thinking of you and hoping that your stay here will be a short one. Love and hugs, HFxx

Thank you so much for your support and kind words. I really do appreciate you taking the time. xx

I'm trying to keep busy, Thursday isn't that far away (Court is wednesday) so by the end of the week I should have a better idea of where I am with everything.

I'll post again when I know more.

Thank you again x

Hi Pinkle, 

im at a similar stage to you, I found a lump in my breast on Monday, spoke to GP on Tuesday and have my breast clinic appointment on Monday.  So all moving very fast (which is great) but the waiting and not knowing is hard

hooe your clinic appointment went ok today 

Hi Pinkie

Hoping this evening you are now in a position of having those stressful matters in your life more resolved with a successful outcome.

big hug

mrt1

Wow, you got your appointment through quickly.  I was referred on 7 August and didn't get my first appointment until 22 September.   Doctor intimated that it was cancer at that appointment so I was expecting bad news.  My results appointment was booked for 14 October but on 7 October I received an appointment letter to see an oncologist!  Not the way I wanted to receive the news I had cancer.  I telephoned oncologist's secretary to rant about receiving my news this way and, long story short, I have my oncologist on Monday and CT scan Wednesday.

Sorry you found out that way Lesley, agree not ideal. 
I know, my appointment for clinic has come through really quickly (will literally be a week to the day of finding the lump) which is great and not complaining at all, very grateful. But that negative voice you try to ignore is saying the fact it came through so quickly can only mean they’re expecting it to be bad news....and my sane brain says I’m just really lucky that they had space quickly.  Not sure what to expect or if I will come away on Monday with an idea of if it is cancer or if I’ll have to wait...

will be thinking of you on Monday and hope your CT scan goes well. Let us know how you get on

Shouldn't worry about the speed of the appointment.  Everyone should be seen within 2 weeks but mine was delayed as I live in a big city and breast care clinics have been reduced to one hospital due to Covid.  I could tell by the tone of the consultant that it was probably going to be bad news though he didn't actually say it was cancer at the first appointment.  Good luck to you, Let us know how you get on,

Hi Pinkie, I'm hoping that things are getting less stressful for you. Everyone has a different story to tell, but sometimes we can relate to some of the experiences. The best advice I can give is to take each day as it comes. Cross the bridges when you reach them. If there's anything that you don't understand, then ask. 

Best wishes 

Glade