Larissa

Thanks so much for your reply Sam, I hope you get that mammogram soon... the worst bit is not knowing as then your mind just creates all these mad OTT situations. Maybe its worth giving Bupa a call as they sometimes will do this kind of thing for non-private patients, although you'd have to pay. If they then picked something up everything in the NHS would move more quickly.

My experience in Aus has been good so far, it turns out they nearly didn't call me back (I've been going through the reports trying to get my head round it all) it turns out a 2nd doctor asked for me to be called back in. I'm not so sure this would have happened so quickly in the UK, I was back within 3 days with more mammograms and a 3rd opinion.

Good luck with the tra and all that, you have been making me giggle in another thread... thankyou

tiredwithtwins

hiya larissa,
sorry to hear you are going through the mill - if its any consolation im going through something similar myself here in the uk.
thought i was pregnant - did test = negative - but now found lumps and am scared shitless at the prospect of going to the docs this afternoon!! It is probably similar to floss's prob, just scarring and blocked ducts from breast feeding (plus im about 3 stone overweight!!!) - had a similar lump before and it turned out to be that

so, sending you tons of cyberhugs........and i shall think of you this afternoon while im having my boobs poked and prodded!!!!!! (that didnt quite come out how i intended it to....... )

take care

sue xxxxxx

Larissa

Thanks Lynn, I feel very reassured that we have decent medical facilities in the northern burbs, I haven't thought much about the UK through all this as I feel sure its better here and I don't think it's the rose tints either! My doctor is really really thorough and sent hubby for loads of tests, they picked up that he has high cholesterol, not something to worry about but I doubt it would have been found this early in the UK as he is just 31.
Thanks for the hug too, I can't believe your bubba is a year old now... time passes quickly in cyber land,
take care
Larissa

RReed

Hi Larissa - big hug from me (and I am not a hugging type of person!) . Remember it is more likely to be nothing than something.
My mum had breast cancer a few years ago in the UK. She had a lumpectomy within 2 weeks of diagnosis, then radiotherapy. It was successful and she is fine now but we were all scared at the time. The NHS provided a fantastic service - free if you don't count all the NI and tax she paid over the years.
On the positive side a scare like this can make you re-evaluate what is important to you. My mum took early retirement and has since worked in Tanzania as a volunteer physio, has been on a 'whale research' holiday and is going on a Tall Ships race this summer. She is generally living life to the full and happier than she has ever been.
Take care and keep us all updated.
Rachel xxx

Larissa

Hi Sue!!!
Sending you cyberhugs too, the poking and prodding isn't fun is it, but it could spare your life hun!
Take care
Larissa

Larissa

Bloomin ek, that is *so* young, I thought I was young at 30! Hugs to you too Kala x x

Chef69

Larissa. hang on in there, everything will work out fine. Sending you great big HUGS to help get you through.

Girl's just remember, it's not just the boobs that need checking. Even though I had been having regular smears , I found a lump internally , had to get it removed and checked. it took five weeks for the results and thankfully everything was ok. But please check everywhere.

Larissa Thanks for bringing this important health issue to light. Look after yourself.

jad n rich

Ignore the sarcastic ultrasound woman, my eight year old had a skin cancer check up the day after a big news story on skin cancer, the doctor gave us the same sarcasm until I pointed out we were booked in after he had a suspicious spot removed two months ago! Hope he felt a right idiot.

I agree totally with your comments on private, wonder if Kylie would have been operated on the same week without cash or private cover

If anybodies wondering the age for routine mammograms is 50 (varies state to state as usual), other wise you need a referal from your doc.

Like you I had a suspicious and painful lump which turned out to be a cyst and they now do a free mammogram every two years despite me being younger, they even send a reminder.

Larissa

Thanks Rachel, I was reading "Chocolat" last night and having dreams of opening my own Chocolaterie but I'd just eat all the stock so that's out of the window!
Yeah, I'm hoping this is just a scare, which it probably will be.

kris maynard

You must be all hugged out by now but another on its way!
Oh and some karma for good measure
Kris

bridiej

Sending you a hug and some karma xxx

Un-Co

Argh - how completely nasty for you honey. Big hugs. x x x

jimtrish

goodluck, hope it all works out well for you.
Trish x

surfdude

Hi there. Sorry to hear the heartache you have been going through. I went through a similar situation whilst we were waiting on our visa application. Thankfully, the main lump was a cyst, mammogram was clear but I had residual abnormalities, thickening and various lumps in my left breast. Had to have a core biopsy of the thickening (it hurt slightly and did bruise). No suspicious cells were found in the biopsy but my doctor was still not OK so I had to have an ultrasound which revealed my breast to be full of cysts !

I asked if they could syringe them out and was told my breast would look like a pin cushion ! I was told to go away and if I noticed any other changes to come back.

I came away with mixed emotions - my life was in my hands - what a responsibility. I have lived ever since for the day but with such fear that I cannot describe. I seem to have lost the plot sometimes - don't notice a change but they could be. It does play with you mind.

When I went for my smear here in Aus I mentioned the 'breast' problem to the doctor and said it was put down to fybrocystic changes (common for a 37 year old). She was shocked and said I should have routine ultrasound's - to keep a check. I have a form to go and I have to go within the next couple of months. The thought of it all again really frightens me and the possibility of my new life changing dramatically makes me put it off for 'another week'.

I will do it soon, I know I have too but its not just me if affects, its my very special hubby (never tell the kids) and having seen what he went through last time I don't know if I can do it to him again. As I say, I know I have to and I will go.

Anyway, I do understand and I wish you all the strength you can muster.

SD.

lesleys

Lots of sympathy and hugs.

I went to the Wesley hospital in Brisbane for a private mammogram. It cost $95 and you didn't leave until you got the results and had spoken to a nurse or doctor. If you had anything suspicious they gave you an ultrasound the same day. A bit of a difference from the usual UK set-up.