What I wish I had known while waiting after a biopsy
Last reply:
03 September 2019 16:01
Hello to all the beautiful courageous women that end up coming here looking for answers, support or reassurance, as I did too a few days ago.
Like some or most of you I also found changes in my breast and went to my GP to ask for a mammogram as I'm 48 and not covered by the national screening program yet.
What followed were 3 weeks of uncertainty and disbelief. After the mammogram I was sent for an ultrasound. After the ultrasound I had a biopsy of 4 samples and 4 titanium tiny pins inserted into my breast to highlight the precise location from my samples. And then was sent home to wait for 2 weeks.
On the first week I got very busy at work and tried to stay positive thinking breastcancer was not a death sentence anymore and that although a terrifying experience, I was sure to have caught it early...but on the second week I found by pure chance a hard small lump over my left collarbone that drained all the blood from my face and changed my mood, energy and positivity, wondering if the cancer could have spread and could it actually be terminal...That became the most stressful week of my life just waiting for the results....
And the results came back negative, I did not have breast cancer, but I broke down at the clinic sobbing uncontrollably for 5 minutes. When I finally managed to compose myself I told the doctor waiting for 2 weeks to know whether you have breast cancer is inhumane and unbereable, and another unnecessary suffering inflicted on women in this island. And that's when he told me what I wish I had known before embarking on this journey!
Speaking of the Breast clinic I attended in Dublin he said when they highly suspect breast cancer in a woman the team talks to the woman on the same day of the biopsy to prepare her for bad news, and they prioritise her biopsy results to avoid her a long waiting time. He said at no point the medical team reviewing my case suspected I had cancer, and he did apologise if anyone in the clinic made me think so, which I did feel it was the case with every single nurse wishing me good luck, and my radiologist really very worried over my mass of extended scar tissue without having suffered any injury or trauma in the area...
So I wanted to share this piece of information with you just in case someone else is in a similar situation...Luckily for me I don't know how fast they would have acted had I got breast cancer, but I do want to believe him and trust that when something is wrong with any of us, our health system kicks into action ASAP without punitive delays that only add to the stress and anxiety of the millions of people facing this disease.
Hi guys
1st time poster here....
So I’m 33 and was at my routine smear today.
After it was done the nurse said she could see a cluster on my cervix and she wanted the doctor to have a look.
The doctor had a look and has referred me to Gynae for a further look and a pelvic ultrasound. I’m panicking so much about this.
My last smear was in 2016 which had low grade changes and I got it repeated which was then clear again.
What could this be.....anybody ever experience this or have this noticed during a smear
Thanks in advance for your replies ❤️
L xxx
I badly need some advice. I'm in the middle of chemo for breast cancer and have to monitor my temperature for signs of infection. I was advised to buy a Braun ear thermometer and it's driving me insane.
The readings are wildly erratic. At one stage it read 39.1 in one ear and 36.9 in the other - which can be the diference bewteen a rush to hospital and not having to worry (my digtal oral thermometer gave a reading of 37.4). The same ear can vary hugely within seconds.
I've just come out of hospital after 5 days of febilre neutropenia. My temperature was reading normal every time they took it in the hospital but as soon as I was home, my thermometer decided I was 38.4.
Has anyone else had this problem? (Some on line reviews would suggest I'm not the only one)
Can someone recommend a reliable ear thermomter?
My G.P. last Tuesday sent an urgent referral to breast check for me I won’t be seen for 10 working days and i fear I will be gone totally bonkers. My lump/growth running length ways upwards from nipple. I was hoping it may have been caused my lifting weights but gp didn’t indicate either way. Any reassurance be greatly appreciated.
I recently went through a very worrying time. I noticed an enlargement in my right testicle but taught I was imagining it and let it be. But after a couple of months it was getting larger. I had no pain or anything. I decided to see my GP and then had ultrasound followed by surgery and its gone! I'm now on 1 cylinder but I have gotten rid of the growth in me but will be getting CT's over the nxt 5 years to ensure its staying gone. I got it very early and acted on it. No symptons. No pain. Please guys keep a check on the equipment and dont ignore any changes down below!
Hi ,I am 23 I just wanted to know if anyone has experienced something similar. And Google is a bad option as it has increased my worry.
So about six months ago I have discovered a small hard painless lump the size of let’s say those tiny plastic balls that are stuffed in kids toys ( I couldn’t think of anything else) to now growing to be about pea sized with another larger lump attached to it ( the larger lump is let’s say the size of a 5c coin) . They are both hard , and when I touch it I can move it just a little bit but when I realease them they go back in the the same spot in my right armpit. No Pain at all even if I touch it.
Two days ago I got a full pain that went from where the lump is and carried through my whole arm for a short while , but this could be just my mind playing tricks. I don’t know.
If any of you ladies has experienced something similar , I would really appreciate you posting your story as I don’t know whether i should worry or not.
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