Results

I'm thinking of you and wondering if you can talk to a Breast Care Nurse about this (or phone the Macmillan helpline)? They may be able to help you understand about the timescale, and you could ask them about the possibility of bringing the appointment forward. Wishing you all the best with your results.

Hi, I had a long delay for HER2 results, are you central England based, I was told it was an issue at Birmingham Lab.  I waited 7 weeks in total only to be told results inconclusive so I ended up going to surgery first and then they are testing again from what removed.  I am hoping when I go Wednesday for my results after surgery they have my HER2 results too as I don’t want to have to wait longer!

in the end I contacted PALS (patient liaison) at the hospital and asked if they could put any pressure on.

my surgeon told me he had received an apology from the Lab for the delay but that didn’t help me!  I still don’t know if I need chemo or not which is a worry.

I hope you get your results soon, the waiting is definitely the worst!

Hi Youhavegotthis,

I was also diagnosed at stage 3. My results came through quickly. I’m not sure if my HER2 + result had any bearing on the initial choice of EC chemo as I didn’t get HER2 targeting Herceptin until round 3. I was started on chemo within 2 weeks.

I’m no expert but I think you will have to chase this up and try to make sure you commence treatment ASAP. You shouldn’t have to suffer this additional anxiety while waiting for treatment to start.

I know I felt much better when I had my treatment plan and was actually keen to start chemo as I knew it would be the first step towards recovery.

I really hope you get treatment started soon.

Bluebell xx

Some people seem to have had long delays, particularly Birmingham surrounding women, mine came through with all the other results after 2 weeks which I now realise is a blessing. It did change my treatment plan, I was having surgery first and then chemo but then they went for chemo first, definitely chase it up, horrible to have to wait even longer x

The waiting is just awful isn't it. I think I waited 3/4 weeks for mine as I was told they were 'borderline' and then they said positive. I go to Stafford/Stoke Royal for my appointments.

Hi

definitely chase this up. Your mental health is as important and you can’t be left in the dark. I appreciate sometimes things get delayed but chase it up and don’t stop asking questions til you get the clear answers you deserve, this is your life. Good luck and I hope you get the results soon. I was diagnosed HER2+ and triple negative and they were able to tell me that all at the same time, about 2 ish weeks after I had the biopsies if I remember correctly (only diagnosed in April 2021 but so much has happened since then!)

I began chemotherapy two weeks after the first face to face oncologist appointment. 

best of luck. 

Hi, how are you doing after your surgery.  My healing is going well I can have my dressings removed next week.  When is your appointment for your results.  I am hoping to hear something next week, I am going to ask if any news when I have my dressings removed xx

Hi Shaz, glad your healing is going well, I’m really pleased with how things are going too.  All dressings off now and wounds healing nicely, have to remind myself to still take things easy due to internal stitches but I feel great.  Have full movement in my arm, no numbness or tingling as some people have had.

I have my appointment with surgeon tomorrow and hope he has all my results then (3 weeks post surgery).  Should then find out if I need chemo or straight to radiotherapy and hoping I get a couple of weeks before treatment starts so I can have a week in Cornwall, I had to cancel a week away when given surgery date but of course have to put treatment first.

Hi Youhavegotthis

Like Bluebell Woods I was started on EC. I had three rounds of this before the Herceptin and Pertuzumab were added in with the docetaxel for the last three. Only the H&P are specific for HER2+.

You have nothing to lose by phoning your specialist nurse and explaining how distressing it is to wait all this time and asking to see an oncologist asap. 

I have been waiting since March 2020 for an appointment unrelated to BC. I telephoned the hospital last week and spoke to someone who initially said it would be another 2-3 months before I would hear of an appointment. However, after chatting for a bit, the person I spoke to 'found' an appointment for the 28th August. I know that if I had not phoned I would still be waiting.

Onward and onward, I wish you all the best and hope that you get the results and an appointment with your oncologist soon.

Wallydug

Hi, so pleased you are recovering well after surgery.  I am 2 weeks post surgery, have good movement in my arm, bruising gone, still have alittle bit of swelling and like yourself have to remind myself to take things easy.  Good luck with your results tomorrow, let me know how you get on. Best Wishes xx