Diagnosed treatment delayed

Hi Helen2021, it's especially hard to have to deal with cancer at the moment and I completely understand why you are feeling the way you are.  I would imagine that if your team thought your case couldn't wait that they would find a place for you to go to have the surgery and the fact that they are not hopefully means a few weeks or more delay won't change much.  Do speak to them about your concerns and hopefully they can reassure you.  

From reading other posts it seems that if a tumour is large they give chemo before surgery and if they haven't suggested this to you then maybe it's because your tumour isn't large and if it isn't then again maybe the delay doesn't change much.

Have they told you anything about size and grade etc?  I would definitely discuss your concerns with your breast care nurse and surgeon.

The wait on the other hand is just very stressful and other than keeping busy there isn't much you can do about that.

What I would suggest is that you do your best to shield so that if a sudden vacancy comes up because they cancel someone's surgery because the person tests positive for covid then you might be eligible to take the vacancy.

Wishing you all the best xx

Thankyou. Just having a really bad day totally irrational. I have to try and get positive again but it's so hard. I know there are people much worse off than me. I need to get some sleep but can't drop off at all. Exhaustion will get me in the end. I have been shielding since I got diagnosis in hope. I am pathetic at the moment I am sorry.

Ahh you poor thing Helen2021.  Please don't apologise as what you are experiencing is completely normal and we've all been there and we have all imagined the worst and thought that this was the end for us and that we were going to die from this.  The added delay for you is making it much harder for you but I do think that if they felt it was urgent that they would have scheduled your surgery.

Breast cancer really is very treatable these days and there are plenty of ladies on here who have had really large tumours and secondary cancers and they are still here and doing just fine.

Have a look at the AWAKE thread, there are lots of us there just chatting or moaning or panicking or whatever we feel like and there is often someone there at all hours of the night.  Just pop on and say Hi and you will receive a really warm welcome and lots of support and advice.

You can also message me any time and I'll reply to you.

Do speak to your team about your concerns so that they can reassure you. xx

Hi Helen2021, sorry you are feeling so anxious and it’s especially hard if you’re not sleeping. There’s a reason why sleep deprivation is a form of torture - because it is so horrible and takes away rational thought and makes you feel desperate. These are such anxious times anyway, and it must be so frustrating not to know when your surgery will happen. Re the delay, I don’t know if it helps but I was aware of my lump for a couple of months before I went to my GP. Stupid, but there was a lot going on and I just buried my head in the sand and waited till I felt I could do something about it. So it was fully 3 months before the beast was removed, but it was still classed as ‘early stage’ thank goodness. 

As GodWilling has advised, do contact your breast nurses, they’re still there for you and should be able to provide reassurance. 

And you never need to apologise or feel you’re pathetic here, we’re all here for you and understand how hard it is to hang around waiting for tests, results, ops etc. 
Wishing you well and sending love and a big virtual hug, HFxx

Thank you so much. I hesitated to join a group I don't even use Facebook. I am so glad that I did I feel better just listening to you all and reading other messages to others in the same position. It is really helping.

Thank you again. I hope to be able to help others when I get the other side.

Helen

Hi there. Try not to worry about any delays. I know that’s easier said then done. They would not put you at risk. As others have said it may not be a big difference and they may be planning your surgery. I know that’s hard for us to understand but the experts will know. And please keep shielding because I got an earlier date for my surgery and then I got another earlier date. So being ready is a very good plan. Keep sharing your thoughts. Everybody is here to support you. And for the sleep, my mum used to tell me if I couldn’t sleep that resting in bed is almost as good. So try and relax and close your eyes, you don’t necessarily need to sleep. And funnily enough, sometimes you do sleep that way. Take care, 

Reading other people's stories is what help get me through too.  I forgot to give you the link to the AWAKE thread here it is https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/chat-breast-cancer/f/breast-cancer-forum/128753/awake#pifragment-13906=3242

1. I was delayed but no COVID excuse in 2015 just two consultants with classing holidays .  I waited 6 weeks for surgery but here I am fast approaching 6 year anniversary of diagnosis!    When you do get surgery date be prepared for very short notice !   

Hi helen2021, the waiting is so hard, I had to wait 7 weeks from diagnosis to surgery and have now waited another 4 weeks for next set of results. Try to remember that cancer is usually very slow growing, but it is worth pushing a little with your BCN and letting them know how you feel. My results appointment was cancelled twice and I phoned them and said that this was not good enough in a nice way and they phoned me back and said I could see the consultant today to give me the results they have so far if that would help. COVID is a very real risk but it shouldn’t delay your treatment indefinitely. Read people’s profile (by clicking on their names) on here, there are lots of lovely successful journeys that may help put your mind at rest a bit. Go for a walk if you can, take a nap in the day if you need to recharge treat yourself to a hot chocolate or something lovely x

Hi Cyprusfav, hope your results are good today .. wishing you well xx