Breast Biopsy Wait

Minrich

My wife went for a mammogram and was called back for further tests , they have taken a biopsy and we are waiting for result . Its horrendous . We have seen that 8/10 tests results are not cancer but that word puts fear into us both . She is only 49 and is fit as a butchers dog , doesn't drink or smoke etc . about 7.5 stone . She is going through the menopause and has been having hot flushes quite alot , we know that this time can cause some changes in hormones and breasts .

It is such a terrible time , we still have a week to wait , biopsy was done Thursday. The hospital as you would expect don't tell you anything about what they have found . There is no lump in the breast so we are hoping and praying that is good news .

Floss

Having been in your wife's situation several times, all I can say is be patient - you wouldn't want to get a false result because the tests were rushed.

TBH at your wife's age, it is not as easy to determine what is healthy tissue & what is not, that's why mammograms are only routinely offered to women over 50. Can I ask why your wife had one at 49, NHS screening only starts at the age of 50?

I know it isn't sympathetic but waiting for this short period of time (no matter how long it seems) is unlikely to make any difference in the big scheme of things.

nic_santorini

I have been in this position playing the waiting game. Mine took about two weeks and I had some really weird dreams in that time. The only thing to do is try and forget about it and move on with the daily grind of life. Harder to do than say I know, but worrying gets people no where.

I am sure it will all be fine and great that the medical teams are doing biopsy's, rather than playing the 'you are too young game'.

Minrich

Floss wrote: »

Having been in your wife's situation several times, all I can say is be patient - you wouldn't want to get a false result because the tests were rushed.

TBH at your wife's age, it is not as easy to determine what is healthy tissue & what is not, that's why mammograms are only routinely offered to women over 50. Can I ask why your wife had one at 49, NHS screening only starts at the age of 50?

I know it isn't sympathetic but waiting for this short period of time (no matter how long it seems) is unlikely to make any difference in the big scheme of things.

Probably this is the reason ?

http://www.ipswichandeastsuffolkccg.nhs.uk/Prevention/Screening/Breastscreening.aspx

But perhaps not , my wife may not have told me about a lump she had found and didn't want to worry me and the rest of the family. I would say that is more likely.

Floss

She's lucky, digital mammography isn't available across the country yet, and certainly isn't offered in the breast unit I attend.

Minrich

Floss wrote: »

She's lucky, digital mammography isn't available across the country yet, and certainly isn't offered in the breast unit I attend.

We haven't spoken about it much . I suppose until you know the results there's not much to talk about ?

terra_ferma

Minrich wrote: »

We haven't spoken about it much . I suppose until you know the results there's not much to talk about ?

Personally I think there is a lot to talk about, but obviously every individual is different.
She is scared, you both are.
Some people's coping strategy is denial, if that was the case for either of you it could make things very tricky.
However maybe you could make sure that she knows you care, even if you are not saying much, and you are there for her if she wants to talk to you The worse case scenario would be that she thinks you don't care, and that she can't talk to you. Sometimes people want to protect the other person even if it's from something that effects them, and maybe she doesn't want to burden you, but she needs to know that you are strong enough to cope with anything life throws at you.
Another angle could be to encourage her to speak to a friend who she can talk to, or someone who has been through a similar scare? Maybe suggest that she phones/visits this friend?

Floss

I agree, and having been there three times, there is a lot to discuss, even if it is only simple things like "can you come with me?"

If you are unable to be there, suggest she takes a very close friend or family member with her, you cannot take in all of what is said on your own.

I go to appointments at the breast clinic alone now as I am there every 6m or so, but for any biopsy results I have someone (husband or best friend) with me.

whitewing

My friend had breast cancer and our local NHS hospital was excellent.

Nevertheless, I hope it is something benign, OP.

Torry_Quine

The waiting is very hard but there is nothing you can do for her but be there and take the lead from her.

I'm glad that things are different here in that when I needed investigations they were all done on the same day including getting biopsy results.

Anoneemoose

Just wanted to send good wishes to you and your wife, OP.

I had to have a mammogram and was lucky enough to have it done privately without wait. I was also lucky in that everything was normal. however, I was so blooming terrified for the time in between finding the lump and getting the all clear that I was a wreck.

I agree with those that say just make sure she knows you are there as and when she is ready and needs you. I really hope you get a good outcome. X