I've just found a lump in my breast

Jay-Jay_4

Ember999 wrote:

Phone just rang, a lady from the local Hospital saying that a referral has come through by fax asking for an appointment with a breast specialist. They have a cancellation for next Tuesday at 9:30am and would I like the appointment. I have an appointment. Should I use my credit card to pay to see Bupa Private Breast Specialist quicker or should I wait until next Tuesday for NHS appointment with breast specialist there? I don't know what to do

That's great news Ember

If it was me I would see the NHS specialist. You would probably only get to see the Bupa one tomorrow so it's only 5 days more to wait.

You have to do what feels right though, you're obviously really distressed though and I second the suggestion to phone a counselling line before you make a decision (Breastcancer care 0808 800 6000). Phone them now Ember, they'll really help you.

Allexie

Ember, please try and stay calm and think rationally, (not easy in the circumstances I know!). You now know that you have an appointment in exactly a week's time. A week is not really very long to wait even though it may seem like a lifetime right now. Stay with the NHS...they are brilliant with this sort of thing these days (speak from experience). As everyone has said...it most probably is an 'innocent' lump....but even if it were something serious, a few days is not going to make much difference to the outcome...whereas it will to your finances if you go the 'private' route.


Do you have any close female friends/relatives to talk to for support? Your husband sounds brilliant but I do think a female perspective would be beneficial for you too.

You sound very stressed, (understandably!), but you need to try to stay calm. Think about going back to your GP for some help to cope during this next week...don't dismiss things like sleeping pills if it enables you to get a good nights sleep.

Ember999

taxi97w wrote:

Next Tuesday is the 13th. How many days difference is that from the NHS appointment? Not many. Nothing drastic is going to develop in a couple of days. Keep your money and your NHS appointment. I would. To stop stressing:- imagine an instance where you were fretting and anxious (we do it all the time), and it turned out all right in the end. Try not to create a bad outcome in your mind, it's not reality.xxxx

Hi Taxi,

The NHS appointment is for the 13th September at 9:30am. I hadn't as yet made an appointment with Bupa for private care as a) didn't think it was affordable b) just when we were talking about it on here the Hospital phoned and offered the NHS cancellation appointment with the Breast Specialist.

Ember999

Thank You everyone for your supportive comments. I have just phoned hubby and told him about the phone call from local hospital and he said I can do whatever I want, if I want to be seen sooner, phone and arrange with Bupa but thinking about the debt it would cause I am going to follow your advice and go to the appointment next Tuesday at 9:30am with the NHS breast specialist. I'm going to make some toast and take it back to bed.I am very tired as I didn't sleep last night so am going to try to eat something and get some rest.

I gave up smoking a while ago and sadly have now had 3 cigarettes today I am ashamed I have smoked a cigarette again after I swore I never would touch one again, but I am so stressed, I couldn't help myself. More paperwork has arrived in the mail re: cottage purchase and I can't deal with sorting it right now, so I am going to leave it. More stuff to sign This should be happiest week of my life. New cottage 14th Sept, only thing spoiling it is appointment with breast specialist 13th sept. Rather bad timing isn't it. I still can't get my head around all this, so I am going to go to bed with some toast and try to sleep.

Thank You for all your continued support.

Bendybops19

Def stick with the Nhs, they really are great with this.

A family friend had breast cancer only a few months ago, and you should see her now! All the cancer has gone and she is fighting fit!! She recovered very quickly thanks to all the nurses/doctors that cared for her.

What i am trying to point out is that it isnt a life sentence if it doesnt end up being more than a cyst. xxxxx

Bendybops19

I hope you have some nice dreams xxxx

Jay-Jay_4

Ember999 wrote:

New cottage 14th Sept, only thing spoiling it is appointment with breast specialist 13th sept. Rather bad timing isn't it.

It could be really GOOD timing!!! On Tuesday you'll probably leave the hospital in a great mood and really looking forward to your move.

taxi97w

Ember999 wrote:

Hi Taxi,

The NHS appointment is for the 13th September at 9:30am. I hadn't as yet made an appointment with Bupa for private care as a) didn't think it was affordable b) just when we were talking about it on here the Hospital phoned and offered the NHS cancellation appointment with the Breast Specialist.

Sorry, slight confusion over dates.

Jay-Jay wrote:

It could be really GOOD timing!!! On Tuesday you'll probably leave the hospital in a great mood and really looking forward to your move.

This is what I think too. Look forward to the high you'll get when you get the all clear. You may feel better than you have for ages!
xxxx

Maisie

Ember999 wrote:

Phone just rang, a lady from the local Hospital saying that a referral has come through by fax asking for an appointment with a breast specialist. They have a cancellation for next Tuesday at 9:30am and would I like the appointment. I have an appointment. Should I use my credit card to pay to see Bupa Private Breast Specialist quicker or should I wait until next Tuesday for NHS appointment with breast specialist there? I don't know what to do

Ember..... no one can make up your mind for you as to whether to go for the NHS appt or private the only thing is peace of mind for you with a quicker appointment.
If the Gp has felt it and its round shape and the probability of it being a cyst and if it were me I would wait for the NHS appt. I was in the same position as you with one of my lumps and thought about going private. My GP told me not to waste the money.
GP's have a good idea of what the lump is and I listened to her.
Mine all proved to be what the GP said...cysts all 4 of them.
I went through the same as you 4 times!

I know you think it's the end of the world and you're in a nightmare situation... but believe me you will come through all of this and be stronger for it.

Speak to the breast care councillor that someone has advised it really does help to talk to someone knowledgeable and helps you see things more clearly.

Think positive things and your move to that lovely cottage, busy yourself and try to take your mind off that lump. I know it's not easy but it doesn't help worrying over it. It doesn't make it better.

Wishing you well Ember...........luv Maisie.

Ember999

I didn't end up sleeping, made toast, ate it and although it tasted like cardboard I forced it down. Nash my kitten decided to have a sudden burst of energy so sleeping wasn't possible. Funny thing is I don't feel tired now, more mentally tired. I agree, it will ge great to come out of the hospital on Tuesday and have the great news that it is just a cyst, which of course it is going to be (praying) is it pretty certain that I will be told on the day that the lump is just a cyst? I do hope so....don't fancy driving to Scotland to collect keys to new cottage with this on my mind.