6 month follow up ultrasound, feeling "what just happened"

amandajz

I went to my PCP about 8 months ago as I found a lump.  I have very lumpy dense breasts and a history of a fibroadenoma so never really know what to think when I feel something; however, during my exam, my doctor actually found other lumps she was more concerned about.  She sent me in for a diagnostic mammogram, to dense so they then gave me an ultrasound. During my first ultrasound, they asked me to show them where the lumps were.  The one I found I knew where to look, but even though my doctor had me feel what she felt, I couldn't find them again (not until i left of course).  I just assumed, they would scan the entire breasts so didn't really feel them much during the time span of the finding and the appointment schedule.  I knew the general area though so just figured they would have found something if it was an issue.  The ultrasound tech returned and told me everything was reviewed and normal.  A week later I received a letter stating that after further review, abnormalities (or something to that affect) were found, thought to be benign but would like me to return in six months.  Today was my six month appointment.  The first thing the ultrasound tech told me was that they were only going to scan any current areas of concern.  I told her that I was told to come back because of what was found, but didn't know where that was and she stated she knew, but she had instruction only to scan current concerns.  I thought that was incredibly odd.  So, I showed her the current areas (after a long time trying to find them).  After she scanned the two areas on one breast and one on the other, she said to remain laying down and the doctor would be in (unlike last time, saw no doctor).  The doctor came in and asked me to show her the upper area where I felt something.  I did (as she stated, feels like a electric cord) and she said it was normal.  Then to the other.  I couldn't find it so she asked the tech what the number was (don't know what that means).  During this, she asked the tech if that was what she saw, to which she replied yes; however, it was much further to the right than where I was thinking it was, yet different position so who am I to argue.. She mostly conversed with the tech telling her what she believed it to be and then told me she wasn't too concerned but would like me to follow up with my doctor.  They provided me with a sheet of instructions stating "results can only be provided my the referring physician".  After I saw that I really started to wonder, was it just opinions and not a diagnosis (meaning nothing to be concerned about)?  Both of my grandmothers passed from breast cancer and two aunts on my mothers so I'm pretty concerned simply due to my history.  

After my brain pondered all day, I'm upset they didn't scan the areas they told me to come back in to have reviewed nor tell me where the area was... is this an insurance thing?? Also, if the tech found something, was a few second scan on an area I didn't even feel was that close sufficient? I know I should have said something, just assumed I was being taking care of, maybe I was.  Am I just being a freaker?  My first experience they made me feel like I was an idiot, so maybe I shouldn't have returned... This time they were attentive, but the whole thing just seems so weird and secretive... 

Moderators

Welcome to BCO Forums. It
is a very stressful time but often talking with others can help.

There are many issues to
consider as you need to read more to develop more understanding of scans and then you may be able to be more assertive and regain some control over your treatment at scans. Try reading Keeping
an Eye on Benign Breast Lumps is Safe Alternative to... from the main
Breastcancer.org website

Sorry we can't help more.
You are best talking with the other members. Waiting is a hard time but can be
well spent in educating yourself on what to discuss with your Doctor.

All the best

The Mods

Anonymous

amandajz:

I wish I could help you more, but of course I'm not a doctor.  For me, the biggest worry would be the family history because that would always be making my head spin. But you should also know that most people diagnosed with BC do not have any family history.  There is a fine line between a doctor being so overly aggressive in looking that s/he performs or orders far too many invasive biopsies, and going the opposite direction, not worrying about anything.  I don't think there are too many docs who brush off our concerns these days.  I think most cancers might instead be missed just because--medicine isn't a perfect science.  The findings are often not very "black and white," and the professionals have to use their interpretation skills to make decisions.   And each practice has a different level of technology, and training. But no one wants to have missed a cancerous finding, so they do their best.

My very first mammogram had a LARGE abnormal finding. Back then (14 years ago), the practice I went to just did the imaging, and they were read at a later time.  I didn't know this, and I leave thinking I'm home free, but get a letter in snail-mail several weeks later telling me to call and set an appointment to come back.  My first time and I waited probably six weeks at home, single mother, with my mind going to all the darkest possibilities.  More mammograms and ultrasounds, and 14 years later and that breast is still fine.

But I had an occurrence similar to yours when I was actually diagnosed with cancer in the other breast.  Because I had that initial finding, I no longer just had screening mammograms, I also got ultrasounds as a matter of course.  The office practices had changed a lot, and so had insurance.  During this particular visit, my ultrasound technologist told me I was no longer allowed to see the doctor after imaging unless there was a reason. She's happily chatting away as she does the ultrasound because she was training someone. Then all goes quiet and I hear her tap on the screen (I'm turned away from the screen).  She begins to measure, and type.  When all is done, she pats me on the shoulder and says "You'll be seeing the doctor." 

The doc had her own small portable ultrasound in her office.  She couldn't find the spot, and asked the tech to come in. They played around, looked, talked, argued.  The doc said "yes, but...when I turn it like this...it just disappears."  The tech said things like "I'm not arguing that, but...."  My doc was far from convinced, but said I should come back in a few months after I'd had some menstrual cycles pass.  I did.  They looked again. They argued again. Finally doc said she'd do a core biopsy. But she was far from convinced; she seemed to be doing it just to shut the tech up.  She called me on a Monday morning, my first phone call of the day at the office.  She seemed so surprised.  "It's a cancer"! She said. 

So, they just don't always know, but it sounds like they've done what they feel they need to for you.  BUT, if you feel uncomfortable that they aren't listening to you, you should look for another practice.  After many many years, this particular doctor (whom I actually adored), and her very large practice have closed. I was referred elsewhere and it took me a few years to get comfy there, but now they're gone too.  I've been sent to a third place and I did NOT like them.  I understand having to make a living, but I felt bum-rushed through.  I'll be looking for a new place myself when my next exam comes.

If you're not comfortable with your answers/treatment, I hope you are able to find a place that makes you feel they've done all they could, and that you're satisfied with their answers. All lumps are not cancer. 

BEST to you!

lmartinsound

Have you gotten any more news?