biopsy results -- what an adventure

covertanjou

Sorry it took me so long to post this.... I had my excisional biopsy July 24.  It went very well.  I went to the Breast Center at  8 am to have the wire put in first.  That part took about 40 minutes.  I felt that I was  in a horror movie!  I had a plastic tube with a wire inside it sticking out of my breast.  It didn't hurt, but I had to be careful with  my hospital gown not to move it.  I was then asked to sit in a wheelchair as they wheeled me to the Surgery floor.  I found it really difficult to be wheeled past a room full of women who were waiting to get their mammos done.  I almost started crying.  I saw the looks of pity and fear on their faces, and I just didn't want them to look at me.  This was one of the most difficult things that day.  Odd isn't it?  I asked the BC nurse at the center how long it would take to get my results.  She told me 4 weeks??!!  I decided to put this out of my mind and just concentrate on the surgery.My DH was with me, but he was asked to leave when I got to the Surgery floor.  This was around 9:15.I was then put in a bed and was given some medication to make me relax (This was about 9:30-45).  An IV was put into my left arm, and I was wheeled into surgery.  The doctor and anesthesiologists were there.  The doctor wanted to speak to me before surgery, but I was too out of it to do so.I woke up in recovery about 1:15.  I woke up crying.  They gave me more painkillers, but I couldn't stop crying, and they had topped the painkillers, so they gave me a Demerol.  I saw my DH come to the recovery room, but they wouldn't let him see me.  About 2:00pm I asked to go to the washroom.  I walked there with a nurse's help.  I don't remember speaking to the doctor after the surgery.  I probably did, but I don't remember.I left the hospital around 3 pm.  I was given a prescription for painkillers and told to take them every 4 hours for the next 24 hours. I did.  I found I was never in excruciating pain.  The medication made me sleepy, but I think that was a good thing.  I did have some pain, but I found icing my breast and the medication helped me tremendously.   On Tuesday I went back to the Breast Center to change my dressing.  I was looking forward to asking my doctor some questions like how much tissue did you remove?  Do you think it is cancer? how long before I get the results?  He couldn't/wouldn't (?) answer any of the questions. He said the pathologist would weigh the tissue and tell him and me how much tissue was removed.  He couldn't tell me if he thought it was cancer, etc.  I was disappointed, but decided what can I do?  My DH asked if the doctor couldn't or didn't want to give me any info (the dr had  told me after my last biopsy that he was sure it was a fibroadenoma).  I have no idea.  I think that this is tissue and not a mass, I don't think he can really tell.The dressing was changed and I was able to see the cut for the first time.  I expected it to be quite long because I felt the stitches with my fingers.  I have a combination of staples and sutures.  The cut is about 2.5 inches long and is about 1 inch above my nipple.I was supposed to wait until till Sept 1st for my results.  My doctor is away on vacation, and I had to wait till he gets back to get the results.  I happen to know someone who works at the hospital, and I asked her to let me know if the results were in.  She told me the results had been ready since Aug 11 (a little over two weeks after the surgery).  I was planning on getting a 2nd opinion anyway, so I was lucky I was able to see another doctor.  He is a very well-known BS, and he is part of a major teaching hospital here in Montreal.   The pathology report says they removed 9.6x4.6x2.4 cm.  WOW....I didn't think I had so much!! lol....I am actually big-breasted so I guess I have enough to spare.The biopsy shows "proliferative fibrocystic changes with usual type ductal hyperlasia associated with microcalcifications.    Biopsy site changes are present."  It also states, "the prior biopsy (stereo) is reviewed concurrently and I agree with the diagnosis of LN.  No residual disease is identified around biopsy site changes in the current specimen."So, as I understand it, the stereo biopsy removed all the LCIS/ADH (what LN is).  I think is this very good since it shows that the LCIS/ADH was very small.  Whether this means I am "safer" is debatable.  I will be asking the BS this.The new BS will be reviewing the slides from the other hospital (I think this is standard procedure with LCIS/ADH) and once that is done (finished in two weeks), I will see him again and discuss what the next step is.So the good news is: B9!! Bad news is I will be changing doctors. 

crazy4carrots

Hi Covert!  So good to hear from you and ESPECIALLY the B9 news!  Ah, big sigh of relief!

The wire-guided biopsy experience is no picnic!  I was as nervous as I'm sure you were, and can relate to the experience of being wheeled around women having mammos.  But I'm sure they were also thinking "Oh dear, that could be me..".

Anyhow, do enjoy the rest of your summer and I'm glad you found a new BS.  There are plenty of good ones, but a few that have really never learned how to deal with patients.