node biopsy

happy

node biopsy

happy

What a way to start the new year. I had what everyone thought was an infected cyst removed from my left arm and as we were leaving the surgery center, the doctor had my husband flagged down in the car and brought back to the recovery room. I have cancer in the lymph nodes under my left arm and the worse news is that it is a secondary site. I had a clean colonoscopy in November (dealing with anemia issues) and a clean diagnostic mamogram a few weeks later. This lump had been bothering for months and got really painful in the last six weeks. They want to do a PET Scan insurance company won't approve an '08 procedure until Jan. 2nd -- no offices are open on the 1st. I have four kids 10 to 17. I am terrified. They think there might be a small but agressive tumor in the breast that didn't get picked up on the mamogram. Has anyone had these enhanced PET scans? Do they hurt? What did your doctors tell you? How did you tell your kids? Hoping for a Happy New Year. I want to see my daughter graduate from high school and my brother get married. Scared to death right now.

honeygirl

Hi Happy. I'm so sorry for your "news". You've come to the right place. My bc was found in a mammogram , so I am not much help for you. But soon , someone will be along that can help. I haven't had a pet scan , but my S/O did , it is very painless , just takes awhile.

I have been "terrified" like you though. It has alot , right now , to do with not knowing. Waiting is the hardest part of all. You need to know , that if it is bc , its not a death sentence. Lots of us ladies are here to tell you that. But , I also know , thats where your mind first takes you!

Try not to go there. You really don't know anything for certain yet. Try to stay in the moment with what you do know. You need more tests. Please come here and ask questions , just talk about how you feel , or vent. And like I said , someone who has gone through this will be here to help. Good luck to you Happy. xxxx Melody

logical

Hi Happy,

I'm so sorry this has happened.  It's good though that your doctors are so diligent and found this. Cancer can hide and be very difficult to detect.  There are all kinds of options for dealing with your situation.  It takes them time to figure out what is the best. 

I've never had a pet scan.  I guess they are looking for more information as to where the tumor might be so then they can biopsy it.  The only way to tell for sure that something is cancer is to take a piece of it out and check it (biopsy).

Your doctors will test you until they have the information they need and then they will prescibe the best treatment for you.  This will all get easier as you go through the process.

Let me tell you how scared I was when I was diagnosed in 2006.  I cried all the time.  I found a great support group and I was amazed at the strength of the women I met.  Women who had a far worse diagnosis than I did and some who had a milder diagnosis.  It doesn't matter.  We are all here to help.

God Bless you.

logical

twink

Hi Happy,

I had a PET/CT scan in the same session.  They don't hurt at all and are less traumatic than MRIs, in my opinion (I'm a little claustrophobic). Here's a good link which describes how it works and what's entailed: http://www.petscaninfo.com/zportal/portals/pat/petct_basics.  The PET scan will identify whether there is cancer anywhere else in your body.  I know it's a very scary time for you.  I was there this time last year.  I will tell you that once you know what's going on you'll be able to focus your energy on treatment and the situation won't seem as terrifying.  I hope the scan produces good news for you.  Good luck to you. 

jeanettee

``````````hi `happy

I am also waiting for results from tests. I had an operation where they did the sentinel node biopsy and removed the tumor in my breast. I dont think that it hurt. It is just a question of waiting for the results that is so hard. People ask questions and u really have no answers. SO hang in there . I am with u.

I had all the scans and they didnt hurt >They have to check if u are clear of cancer everywhere else in your body.

GOod luck and Write to me if u need someone to talk to I am here for you

Jeanette

AnnieBird55

Hi Happy,

      I am sorry too that this has happenned. Melody is right - it is the not knowing that is so horrible now.
      I haven't had a PET scan, but I have had many MRIs, and they do not hurt at all. In fact, you might enjoy the 'down time' as I am sure you are very busy with 4 kids.Often they will have headphones and you can chose a radio station and listen to music.

      Good for you in pursuing what you thought was an infected cyst.
      As far as telling your kids ...maybe you should tell them just what you know....that you are getting tests done. They will probably know something has you anxious, so I think you should say something to them. I found found that it is OK to be sad or anxious about my BC concerns in front of my teens (15, 18). Their hugs thru this have meant a lot to me!

      I am thinking good thoughts for you on your test results,

Anne

ilenee

I am so sorry this is happening to you. I was just diagnosed in Nov. Things happen very fast. I am 36 with 2 kids and it can be very stressful with kids. Just trying to find childcare when I have aappointment is a pain! This site has been TREMENDOUS for me. Please come here for support, questions , anything.

I will be thinking of you.

Ilene

happy

I can't tell you how much your words have meant to me. I am so greatful to everyone who has been so kind. This has been a horrible week of not knowing and not getting good information. But I got a PET Scan and it was great news! I can't beleive I would ever say this, but I was so relieved to have Stage 2 breast cancer. Everyone was convinced that it had spread everywhere but the scan showed that it was confined to the lower quadrant of the left breast and to the node that was removed. Now that i have a diagnosis, I have path to follow. My husband told my daughter that he was going to shave his head once I lost my hair. She just rolled her eyes and said, "oh, great, now I'll have two weird looking parents."



You were right. The scan was actually a calming place to be and the barium solution was way more tolerable than the horrid stuff for a colonoscopy. I know I have a difficult road ahead but it is one that is well travelled and there are so many people to help me along the way. I told my sister that I was trapped in the temple of doom with no clear way out! The only way I can describe this week is that i feel like I have been blindfolded but I have learned to trust that whoever to guiding me has put me in a better spot than I was five minutes before.



Thanks,

Happy

twink

Happy, this is excellent news.  Congratulations, you must be very relieved.  Now...on to treatment!

mom07

I am absolutely terrified, I had my bone scan yesterday and when i asked if i could see the pictures when done the technologist said I dont think thats a good idea. I was diagnosed in Oct with a 2.1cm tumor which was removed followed by sentinal node biospy which was positive i am awaiting surgery next week for full auxillary node removal. I am soooooooooo scared i dont want to die im sure i will have more bad news when the bone scan results come back.

happy

to mom07:

you can't take what the tech says as a diagnosis and please, please, please don't take it as a death sentence! They are not allowed to discuss results with patients so when they say things like that, it is really to give the radiologist time to make a complete report. Trust me, I went through the same thing this week and I was a wreck -- the scan will always look bad at the site of the biopsy. Please write back and let us know what the news is. There is always hope and I will be praying for you! In the meantime, keep busy with the positive things in your life. Lean heavily on your friends because they will help you to stay calm.

Happy

HeatherBLocklear

Dear Mom07,

When I had my bone scan after a false diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2006, the technician said exactly the same thing to me when I asked to see the pictures! "Not a good idea."

All he meant was that he's likely to lose his job if he shares the pictures with the patients; like Happy says above, the physician must evaluate them first. As it turned out, my scan was clear in spite of the ominous implications of the tech's words; if they find anything suspicious, it will help them decide how best to get you completely well again.

Keep your spirits up and come back to the forum for help and encouragement. This is a great place!

Hugs,

Annie