Architectural Distortion. Follow up in 6 months. Not waiting

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kgl240
kgl240 Member Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hey everyone...I've been reading posts here, for the last few days.  In fact, I have been reading anything and everything on architectural distortion, since my diagnostic mammo.  I swore I would stay off the internet, as I have myself sick, to the point of hysteria...and hyperventilating.  I don't even know how I made it through work this week.  I guess I just zombied my way through it...and cried a lot in the bathroom.  Not good.  People are counting on me.  I'm a nurse.

Anyway...I went back for my diagnostic mammo and the technician said, the radiologist thinks that what he is seeing, is just tissue that has thickened.  We are just concerned, as it has changed from last year...and has changed from the right breast.  Come back in 6 months...just as a precaution.  No US was done.  Actually, I was content and happy with that...and off I went to the grocery store.  A few days later, I went back to the mammo place and asked to see the written reports.  Well this is when I had the total meltdown.  I sat in the car, reading the reports.  "Architectural distortion"  "Probably Benign"  Breast is hetergenously dense.  Short interval follow up recommended.  I was also concerned because as I was reading the reports in the car, the report on the "screening mammo" recommended additional views and/or ultrasound.  They didn't do an US.

All of this just wasn't sitting well with me.  I called my ob/gyn and asked the nurse if the doc would order an MRI.  She told me that insurance probably wouldn't cover it...and an MRI would probably come up with the same diagnosis...probably benign...follow up in 6 months.  Really???  She said to feel free to take my films, etc. to a surgeon for a second opinion.

Maybe I am overreacting...but I just can't wait 6 months for another mammo...especially after googling architectural distortion.  I have an appt. with a surgeon next month.  I just need another set of eyes to look at all this.  We are supposed to go to Mexico on March 3...and I am thinking of cancelling.  My appt with the surgeon is Feb. 13th.  Thanks for allowing me to vent, on here.  I'm just so scared.  Having a hard time functioning or focusing. 

I'm sorry to those of you, who actually HAVE breast cancer.  You must want to b*tch slap people like me.

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Comments

  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2014

    Six month follow up is a Birads 3 and estimates less than 3% chance of cancer and architectural distortion can be simply a benign fibroadenoma.

    What they are suggesting is totally reasonable.

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  • kgl240
    kgl240 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2014

    Thank you, Melissa!!!  Those aren't the statistics, I was seeing...but maybe I was looking in the wrong places...or maybe they were outdated.  Either way...I love you!

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2014

    Kg, please remember when you are reading here that all the women in your position who got benign six months results and are out living their lives are not here posting snymore.

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited January 2014

    Kg .. my sis had architectural distortion on her mammogram.  The radiologist recommended a follow-up mammogram a week later to get another set of pictures.  It turned out that it was indeed a distortion on the films .. nothing to worry about.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Bren

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  • kgl240
    kgl240 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2014

    Thanks, Bren! The architectural distortion didn't completely resolve on the diagnostic mammo...that's why they recommended the 6 month follow up.  I'm a lot calmer, today. A close friend just got done with a year of chemo, double mastectomy...and now radiation.  That's probably why I'm so anxious.  I really do appreciate the feedback, though.  Thank you.

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  • kgl240
    kgl240 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2014

    Bren...I probably wasn't clear in my post.  I've already had the repeat mammo...and the architectural distortion, was still there.

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited January 2014

    Hi Kg,

    So happy to hear you are feeling calmer today.  It's easy to understand why you would be so anxious and upset, especially after seeing what your dear friend has gone through lately.  I hope she's feeling okay.  Do you think she would be comfortable posting here?  We have lots of comfort and support to give.

    Sending hugs,

    Bren

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  • kgl240
    kgl240 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2014

    I'll have to ask her.  For all I know, she may be on here.  I just came across this forum, when googling, "architectural distortion."  Thank you, Bren.  You are sweet.

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited January 2014

    A second opinion is never a bad choice if it gives you peace of mind. :)

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  • kgl240
    kgl240 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2014

    I agree, Marie.  I've heard a couple stories from people I work with, who got the "probably benign...return in 6 months"...and ended up getting sent to a surgeon, on that 6 month follow up, anyway.  No horror stories.  They all turned out okay...but you're right...I need peace of mind.  I feel like, even if they tell me something bad...I'll be like, okay...so we go from here.  We deal with it.  It's the not knowing, that is like a slow torture.  But just the responses on here, today...have made a world of difference.  I actually went out for something to eat, with my husband...and didn't mention it once!  Thanks!

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