Waiting for biopsy results

Hi Tiggerthecat123

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you are waiting on a breast cancer diagnosis.  The waiting for results is the worst thing about a cancer diagnosis so if it would put your mind at ease sooner than do push for a phone appointment.  While a breast cancer diagnosis isn't a nice diagnosis to get do know that breast cancer is very treatable.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer over two years ago and I am currently in remission. If you'd like to know more about my journey with breast cancer just click on my name.

Wishing you the best of luck with your results.

Best wishes

Daisy53

1. Thanks Daisy, that’s so kind of you. And thank you for the reply. I’ve got a husband and friends who are desperately trying to be supportive, but I find myself in a very lonely place. Did anyone else feel this too? I just feel like no one really understands what I’m going through and it feels so lonely!

Ps huge congrats on your remission! You superstar.

Hi 

My journey so far has been a rollercoaster since 6th February.  The waiting is horrendous and the emotions and thoughts that go through your head almost constantly are so detrimental but feel impossible to turn off at times.  Yes lonely is definitely one of the feelings!  My journey is still quite fresh too.  So completely understand how you are feeling right now.

Hi there,

I totally understand your current place of being. I too had a lump that thought was a cyst - they at the breast clinic thought it was a cyst but after the round of scans was petrified to be told it was definitely breast cancer - but they didn't know what type or give any prognosis. It was 2 days before christmas. It was the most frightening day of my life and I didn't feel I could ruin anyone’s christmas (apart from partner!!!!!) so in effect we went into lockdown for a couple of weeks with box sets. I felt constantly sick with anxiety and couldn’t eat - results were delayed because of the bank holidays. I cried a lot and reflected on the whole of my life wondering if I had much life left.

I had a zoom call with a breast care nurse to get the results rather than wait an extra week to see a consultant. It was nerve racking of course - but for me it was better to know. I had my partner and friend who is a nurse with me for support and to write notes. They couldn’t discuss a treatment plan but they could tell me about the type of cancer and answer my questions. I’m glad I did this as I found the waiting intolerable.

Everything got that bit better once I knew what I was dealing with and had a treatment plan the following week. Your tumour is small - 2cms - that’s good!

Treatment for breast cancer is really good and there is so much support around it. I am having chemotherapy first and then will have surgery. My lump started at 16mmx16mm. After two rounds of chemo it is now 12mmx7mm.

You will come through this acute phase - your nervous system (like mine was) has gone into the fight/flight mode as your body and brain feels under attack. You feel you have no control - when you know the detail and the treatment plan you will gain a bit of that control back. In the meantime these things helped and continue to help me:

Get outside every day in some green space of some kind - even if you don't feel like it, you will feel better if you do.

Talk about things with friends and family other than cancer

Don’t over google things

Immerse yourself in box sets

Give yourself treats

Maybe download the calm app on your phone - (I think its great) - really helpful for ‘settling the anxious mind’.

Look into whether your hospital has a Maggie Centre attached to it - totally amazing for support - always someone there to talk to.

Use the breast care nurses.

Recall all the other times in your life when you have called on your strength to get through something - and hold on to the knowledge that you can and will do it again.

Know that you are not alone - we will walk this journey with you.

Take good care of yourself,

Jan x

Oh gosh, Jan, all of you, your replies have made me weep they're so kind. And are so helpful indeed. I'm so up and down, I know the stress isnt good for me, but my mind is jumping to worst case scenario, the thought of my kids growing up without a mum kills me. I feel like I need to take back the control a bit, and perhaps downloading the Calm app and talking to the nurses, maybe trying to rearrange this appt, might be my way of taking some of the control back. Thank you thank you. You are angels to me. I think my nervous system has gone into attack... I'm feeling a constant anxiety and shortness of breath in the back of my throat. Thank you for taking time out of your day to reply. You dont know how much it means x

That shortness of breath is definitely anxiety related - maybe have a look at this:

https://www.realsimple.com/health/mind-mood/box-breathing-technique

Box breathing is excellent for managing anxious feelings and soothing the mind. I use it if I waken in the night. Also I am a yoga teacher and teach it in my classes to help people settle the mind. Interestingly in the acute phase of waiting for results I found it difficult to draw on things like this that I know to be useful - but i don't think thats unusual as fear can keep us in an acute startle response - like a rabbit in headlights.

It true that we cant change what’s happened - only our response to it.

You will get there x

Just keep talking, being there for each other is our strength.  Every day for me is so different with the thoughts and emotions. We are only human. X

Hello, I have just read your post and know that I am in the same situation. I went to the breast clinic on Friday convinced that the lump that I had found was nothing serious only to be told that it was a 5cm malignant lump. I am waiting for the biopsy results in ten days time, but I feel like going mad at the idea that I could die and not see my children grow up and leave my dear husband on his own. It is so terrifying. I have had this pain under my shoulder blade for about five weeks now which started with a very forceful sneeze when I was on a skiing holiday. It was very sharp then but then it eased off and I was perfectly able to ski, didn’t even think about it. However, the discomfort is still there and I am terrified that it could be related. It has been so reassuring to see the level of support on this forum, and feel that I was not alone. Thank you.

Thanks Tiggerthecat123