Mammogram Recall

grannymary not the news you hoped for, I really felt for you sitting the next morning with a sense of disbelief- it’s a lot to take in. Hope things go ahead smoothly for you from now in.

Grannymary - Sorry to hear it was not the news you hoped, but at least they have caught it early and not spread, still it must have been a shock for you and a lot to take in at the time.

Thank you for all your kind messages. I think I’m getting my head round it now, shock must be wearing off. I am greatful that this has been picked up at an early stage before it has become life threatening. Thank heavens for breast screening.
I’ll certainly give some thought to a cleaner, haven’t thought about the practicalities of it all yet. DGS’s mother is very good and has offered to help with my jack russell, walking etc which will be a great help and everything else will have to be worked out as it comes up.

I’m pleased your condition is pre- cancerous- I’m assuming ductal carcinoma in situ? I’m sorry you have been recommended a mastectomy, however. Macmillan has some information about surgery for DCIS ( you may already know this.) You seem to have the support of your family, however, speaking from my own experience, it was good to know that I had help with housework from a professional cleaner after the operation. It meant that when family came to visit I could spend time chatting to them rather than having them help to do housework. Do contact the breast cancer nurses at your hospital if you are anxious or have any questions. When I got my diagnosis I was in shock too, but am grateful that modern technology and regular screening have meant that pre- cancers are picked up and many lives can be saved.

Good news and bad news at my appointment yesterday. Firstly abnormal cells found are pre cancerous so not life threatening at present. And then the bad news. Because of the way they are spread throughout the breast tissue the best course of treatment is a mastectomy. There then followed a very practical conversation about when and where and whether I would want reconstruction etc. DS left the room at that point, only so much info he wants about his mums boobs. I spent the rest of the day with him and his partner, home last night, bed and now sitting here this morning in disbelief thinking did she really say that? But she did and I know it’s better news than many others get but still in shock and trying to take it in.

Good luck for Friday grannymary - the waiting is very stressful. Hope you can keep yourself busy and not allow worry to dominate (I’m good at giving advice, but not necessarily following it!)

Thank you both for taking the time to reply. PinkSP I won’t get my hopes up about an early phone call but it’s good to hear it may happen. Thank you for the flowers Gmelon. I would send some back if I knew how to.

Oh grannymary I so hope it is going to be fine. How awful to be so worried. Friday must seem like an age away. Take solace from the ladies on here who have faced this too.

Grannymary - They may ring you before your appointment like they did me, I know how you are feeling with the waiting, it's a worrying time, finger's crossed for you that yours is ok like mine was. Keep us updated and hope it's good news for you.

Just thought I would update on my recall for breast screening. I had my appointment yesterday, they didn’t want another mammogram, they did a very painful ultrasound and a biopsy. Apparently I have got micro calcifications which may or may not be cancerous. Results next week so will have to my fingers crossed and my worries under control until Friday. Haven’t told anyone except my sister and my line manager at work and hopefully all will be well and I won’t need too

Janet43- I hope all goes well with your operation. Mine was straightforward, and the hospital staff were all immensely caring. I’m more or less back to normal, my scar is small and I haven’t needed painkillers. I didn’t have any lymph nodes removed. I’m just waiting for the results now- I should know in another two or three weeks if the op was successful. You will probably feel tired after the op for a week or two- mine was 8 days ago and I’m still taking it easy.

I’m glad your worst fears haven’t come to fruition Pinksweetpea.

Dora, I will be having a lumpectomy soon. I was diagnosed with a small tumour at the end of September but couldn’t have the lumpectomy straight away as my platelet count was low and I had to see a haematologist. I had the all clear for surgery on Thursday and anticipate having the lumpectomy soon. I’m glad all went well. Did you have the sentinel nodes checked at the same time?

Grannymary I didn’t tell anybody about the recall except my husband and waited until after the biopsy to tell my two sons and daughter’s in law. Like you I didn’t want to worry them. I hope all goes well for you on Wednesday. I read somewhere that 80% of recalls are found to be non-cancerous.

Thank you PinkSP, I think that’s what I’ll do, there’s no point in both of us worrying and I’ll know more on Wednesday too. I’m glad yours was good news ?

GrannyMary, sorry to hear you got the dreaded recall letter, it's an awful feeling when you read it, I was shaking for ages. I have a DS too and did not tell him until after I had been for my appointment and just said I will know more after the biopsy results, and then I texted him at work when I got my results on Monday that it was good news. Sorry to hear you lost your DH. Sending you best wishes for Wednesday and let us know how you get on.

I’m glad to hear it went well for you pinkSP. I’ve come in from work last night to find the dreaded recall letter behind the door. Appointment on Wednesday at a not so local hospital and was feeling very anxious until I read the posts on this thread. Feeling a bit reassured now but concerned as to what or whether I should tell my DS about it. DH became ill very suddenly August 2017 , was diagnosed with lung cancer and died just before Christmas. DS is still struggling to deal with this. I can’t decide whether it would be worse to tell him at the weekend before I go or wait and tell him after, if it is bad news it may be a bigger shock for him. As a family we’ve not had very positive experience with cancer previously having lost DH, my younger son, grandparents and several other family members recently.

Yes, I hadn’t realised how tense I was about it, until today’s letter! Best wishes to anyone else going for tests / awaiting results.

Polly48 - Glad it was good news for you too, it's such a relief when you get the all clear and you can relax again.

I wonder if this should be a thread in its own right? so many of us have had or will have recalls for all sorts of things, including the men amongst us who will be having treatment for prostate problems. It’s reassuring reading others’ experiences.

I know I hijacked this thread rather, as I’d had anxiety about a scan and biopsy following bleeding, rather than a mammogram recall - but just to say I had a letter from the hospital today to see all clear - phew! Have to go for a check up scan in 3 months. Many thanks for kind words on here x

Hello all. I had a recall a few years ago which really put the wind up me as my mother died of breast cancer (plus I take HRT!). However, it transpired that one breast was denser than the other (well I could have told them that!) so they needed to check. Once you are in the recall system, they have to do it thoroughly, so mammogam, ultrasound and needle biopsy, which is rather like being shot multiple times. But all clear, thank goodness. Yes it was stressful at the time, But the relief of knowing they have checked thoroughly and you are clear is a great feeling. Equally, as others have posted, I am sure that catching the very earliest signs of breast cancer and treating these with minimum intervention must also count as a great stroke of luck, once you have got over the shock. My heart goes out to anyone diagnosed with cancer (as my husband was) but advances in screening an treatment have been life saving for many.

Sunlover - Glad it was only a cyst and they managed to drain it, hope your not too sore.

Cathieb - Im sure it was only a technical fault if they mention it in the letter, my recall letter never mentioned anything about technical faults, so Im sure that's all yours is and they need a clearer picture.

My recall letter says that due to 'a technical fault' they can't read the mammograms. Is this just a kind way of telling me that they have found something they need to look at further? Has anyone else had a recall letter saying this and was it true?

I read through all the posts before going for my assessment and I found them a great comfort and very helpful.

I’ve only just caught up with this thread. Phew, I’m so happy for those of you with good news. Hopefully the support you’ve had on this thread made the waiting a little easier. Wishing you all continued good health.

Great news ladies! You will sleep well tonight ?