Waiting without worry seems impossible....

jen310

Hi, I'm new to this board, but must confess I've been stalking posts for about a week. Somehow I thought I'd find someone with my exact situation who had all the "answers" I needed. I did take some advice and stopped consulting "Dr. Google". I also just picked up copies of my reports in an attempt to be more proactive. Just wish it came with years of medical experience so I could understand them. Here's where my story begins...

I'm 38 (will be 39 in about 2 weeks). I recently began looking into the possibility of breast augmentation. After nursing our 3 kids (10, 4 & 2), I wasn't happy with the way my breasts had changed. In order to schedule a consultation I needed to have an mammogram done. Easy, right?!? I met with my OBGYN to get a Rx. Since I don't have a family history & still have another year until I'm 40 she was reluctant to send me. I had the screening mammogram done & was forewarned about the dreaded "call back" (esp being my 1st) which I received 4 days later. I returned for a bilateral mammogram with CAD with 3D Tomography and u/s. After the mammogram they did 2 u/s on the right side. I was told the radiologist wanted more images. I then sat with the dr who told me there were calcifications on the left which usually are b9 & she wasn't worried about. However, there were several masses on the right side that were a cause for concern. Her concern was mostly because there was so many of them. She is recommending an MRI. So began the longest week waiting on my OB to get the report & authorize the recommendation. I followed up with my dr's office, but still haven't heard back from anyone. I contacted the Imaging center & requested copies for myself. In obtaining my reports today it appears there are "multiple complex masses in the superior right breast with the largest in the 10:00 axis 4-5 cm from the nipple measuring 10 x 3 x 11mm. MRI recommended. Also calcifications related to the upper quadrant of the left breast of which stereotactic biopsy is recommended." BIRADS 4-suspicious

Understanding that I'm not going to get a diagnosis from this forum, I was just hoping for a little clarity. It's been 3 week waiting & I go from being stable & patient to bursts of insanity with thoughts of "putting all the pieces together" like I'm solving some sort of medical puzzle. I haven't even scheduled the MRI and still have to schedule a biopsy after that (I'm assuming for both sides) so I know there's more waiting to be done. If anyone has any insight on my findings that would be helpful....I think, maybe... For instance, I don't even know what that measurement is. I actually took out a ruler to...I don't know what I was trying to do there really. :P Is that size big/normal? Does the placement make a difference, that it's located 4-5cm from the nipple? Is it "normal" to get an MRI before any biopsy/diagnosis. What's next? What else can I do or is there anything I should be asking? I'm like a deer in headlights whenever anyone is explaining things to me. Thank you for taking the time to listen! I do appreciate it!!

bride

Yes, the waiting is just horrible. The size of one of my masses was 2.5 X 7 CM yet seven months from my DX, I was NED. There somethings you can do to prepare to meet your docs. Call the American Cancer Society, open 24/7, and get one of their free cancer organizers. Get a notebook and write down all your questions. And, please take someone with you -- they can take notes and relieve that stress.

You can do this. And we're here for you.

bride

Beachbum1023

Hi Jen, I am so glad you are here, welcome to the best place ever! You will get real time info here, that is correct. Forget Dr. Google, the info is old and outdated, or just plain wrong. Move forward on the scheduling for the appointments, then you will know for sure what you have to deal with. The American Cancer Society is great, they have a lot of info to help you.

Every person has a different cancer and response. So you can't compare anything really. But once you get the info and all of the reports you will be ready to see where you are. It can be overwhelming, and you will have a lot of info to deal with. Take someone with you to listen. Let us know what you find out. But for now, relax and take a deep breath! Its nothing until it is something!

windingshores

I am a newbie here too. I went to my MD and got a low dose prescription for Klonopin, and take half of one pill every three days. That way I get a good night's sleep and the anxiety doesn't build up in me. I find the effect on my anxiety lasts those three days or so before starting to accumulate again. It is cold and snowy here but on the one warmer day I found walking helped. Seeing people helped. I used to do Tai Chi but moved and have to find a class" Qigong would be great too.

Initially I bought 3 books on Amazon with two day shipping (!) and went on the Internet- found this site first and have not read too much else (because the dates on many studies are indeed old). After overwhelming myself with information I put books aside and watch movies a lot. Forsyte Saga last week, House of Cards is coming up this week on Neflix. Distraction, distraction, distraction

If you have weeks of waiting and uncertainty, I think we need all the help we can get! Assuming you also are caring for kids, which makes it all so much harder. (Mine are old enough to take care of me!) Hoping for good news for you.

SpecialK

I would not be calling the American Cancer Society until a firm diagnosis is made.  I wanted to address your specific questions.

 Bi-rads 4 means this per BCO's site "Suspicious abnormality: means that there are suspicious findings that could turn out to be cancer." Up to 80% of Bi-rads 4 biopsies turn out to be non-cancerous masses.  I know it is easier said than done - but try not to worry until you have something specific to worry about.  You will see advice on these boards that says "don't go there until you get there" so  try not to focus on what things might be, just focus on what you know right now.

On size - 10mm=1cm, 1cm=.39 inches, so the suspicious mass is less than a cubic 1/2 inch.  That is relatively small.  Distance from the nipple is stated on imaging reports for location purposes - I wouldn't assign any particular meaning to that.

Different imaging techniques are used for different reasons.  Younger women tend not to image well on mammography, so sometimes ultrasound or MRI is used.  All forms of imaging potentially contribute different info to the physician ordering the imaging, and none are perfect at showing everything 100% of the time, so it could be that they would like MRI for you to get a better, or more complete, picture. That is a question you can ask of the ordering physician, there is no reason why you can't inquire about the reasoning behind which tests/imaging is being ordered.

Taking someone with you can be helpful, as is using your phone to record your appointments.  That allows you to go back and listen again if you were distracted or missed something.  I would get a move on the appointments to minimize the waiting, and I sincerely hope that you are among the percentage of bi-rads 4 with a benign result.  Good luck!

jen310

Thank you so much for the reassurance! Just tried to get some answers from my dr's office. It seems the hold up was due to my OB being on vacation and now they are waiting for authorization from my insurance company. Fingers crossed that they push everything right through & I can set up my appts. Worst case scenario, I was told, I may need to see a breast specialist with my images to determine if the MRI is warranted or go straight to biopsy. At this point, I'd be ok with that as long as something was moving toward a definitive answer. Thank you Special K for the information. It does help put things in better perspective. I like the "don't go there until you get there". I had my husband's voice echoing as I read the replies. "We'll deal with whatever it is when there is something to deal with". For now, it's just going to be a lot of distracting myself from...myself. Thank you again for the words of encouragement from you all! I will keep you updated on my progress.