Waiting for biopsy results

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Hi everyone,

I’ve not posted before, I found a lump about a month ago and had an appt at the breast clinic on Thursday last week.

I had convinced myself that it would be a cyst so was desperately unprepared for the news that it was a 2cm lump that they suspected was cancer. I was there for around 4 hours and ended the appointment being introduced to a Macmillan nurse! I couldn’t believe it- I was in a state of pure shock. I started the morning thinking I was a healthy individual and was told it would be a cyst, and ended it with a Macmillan nurses business card!

I’ve got a 2 week wait for my biopsy results to come back. The wait is torturous. It’s been 4 days since that appointment and I’m not sure how I’m going to get through the next 10 days. I feel very emotional, very up and down, convincing myself that it’s spread cos I’ve not had a smear test for 3 years and I’ve been getting spotting (I’m 43 so put it down to peri menopausal).

Do you think I should push for a phone appt? They did say they that they don’t like to do these, and prefer face to face - but coupe offer this sooner. I don’t know how anyone gets through this bit.

thank you for any advice.

  • I’m so loathed to criticise, because I’m so grateful for their service and for finding this lump! But I agree with you. I had my husband with me on Thursday last week - thank god! Never did they advise to bring someone to the appt - and I’m so grateful too that he was in the room when I had the ultrasound because I was in complete shock when they told me they thought it was cancer. Tears pouring from me, them trying to do the biopsy, me trying to decipher what they’d just told me and if it was serious or not. Then the ultimate shock- again I’m not criticising- but that they gave me a Macmillan nurse! I think I actually said, but you haven’t said I’ve got cancer. Why have I got a Macmillan nurse! 

  • Yes, I am. Strangely, after spending the weekend doing my absolute best to prevent panic attacks from taking hold of me, I feel better now. I have to stop imagining the worst (it is just human nature) and just get ready for whatever I have to face. I will face it and I will be fine. I need to be fine for me and for my family. I had so much love and support in the last couple of days, and I am so grateful for it. But at the end of the day, it will be me and my family who will get through this and I need to believe that I can do it. 

  • Is it criticism or constructive feedback? There is no one better than someone who has cancer sharing what’s helpful - and what isn't when being told the dreadful news. The cancer journey should be a two way process - services learning from our experiences as well as us learning from theirs - and I actually think they will want to learn from patients.

  • I second that! It was like divine inspiration to ask my friend to come with me, as I honestly don’t know how I would have found my way home. We just collapsed in each other’s arms, it would have been awful to have no one there for me. 

  • Yes to this! Ok maybe I might deliver it as constructive feedback too :-) us girls need our support!

  • Well done you, I’m proud of you