Techs were wrong :(

Chanty

Don't listen to the techs giving you results, wait for your doctor to see them and tell you what's in there. I totally learned this the hard way, unfortunately.

I had my mammogram and U/S last week. The techs said the process was they would go have the radiologist read them, and then come back and give me the results. Both techs told me I was completely clear, and said the radiologist thought I was perfectly fine.

I felt great about that, but was still bothered because I really felt like there was SOMETHING going on (I have a large pucker at the bottom of my left breast, and my left nipple has deviated downwards).

Fast forward a few days, and my GP's office finally called to give me the results. Turns out, the techs were wrong. The radiologist found a lump with ill-defined boarders in a different spot, and couldn't see anything where the puckering was so they recommended an MRI (I got a score of 0 for more testing)

My GP did refer me to a breast specialist (she's fantastic), and I saw her yesterday. She cut out the lump and has sent it off for testing, and now I have to wait until my next period to schedule my MRI. They say you have to get the MRI done on CD 7-14. I was on CD 15 yesterday when I went (UGH!). I may very well go crazy waiting for the MRI.

The specialist says there is definitely something going on, but we might have to just keep checking every 3 months until it's big enough to see (if the MRI is clear).

I HATE waiting for things, and now I'm sitting here having to act like everything is totally normal, and go about my day all la de da, when I can think of NOTHING more than my pathology reports, and praying I start my period early. This is just like the 2WW when we were trying to conceive hahaha.

Anyways, I just wanted to put this out there. I really did believe everything the techs told me, and it turned out to be very incorrect. I know waiting sucks (really badly sucks), but try not to put a lot of stock into anything that hasn't been seen by the doc!

Good luck to everyone else waiting!

Moderators

Good advice, Chanty. You should always ONLY listen to your doctor. Thank you for bringing this very important point to light! We're sorry it's caused you such anxiety, but we're sending lots of positive thoughts that your biopsy results are benign and your next appointment goes perfectly!

--The Mods

tgtg

Chanty--So sorry you are going through this misadventure. The potential diagnosis itself is trying enough, but to have gotten it first from techs is horrible. It does seem to me, though, that you should let the hospital (or whatever facility you used) know what those techs said and how they gave you a "diagnosis" (and perhaps also consider using a different facility in the future if the facility's response to your information is unsatisfactory--especially since you're facing imaging every 3 months according to the doctor,) TG

Chanty

I did call the center thinking that it was something that should be looked into, but they wouldn't budge. They said that was just how they "operate". The lady I spoke with didn't seem to understand how upsetting it can be to walk out being told everything is fine, when it clearly isn't. It makes me sad for other women in the same position.

I can say for certain that in the future, any and all test results I will only get from my docs!

exbrnxgrl

Sorry that this has happened to you. Techs should never be reading or reporting results of test/scans to patients . That is outside of the scope of their job. Please let your doctor/center know that this is going on so they can remind techs not to do this. Take care

tgtg

Chanty--Since "they said that was just how they "operate". I'd be asking my primary physician to recommend another imaging site that he/she works with! If this is how they function, I wouldn't want the techs to give me a diagnosis every 3 months and adding another stressor to my life! The mods are absolutely right about not accepting a diagnosis from anyone but a doctor--but the techs do emotional damage when they open their untrained (and unlicensed) mouths to give you their opinion.

DSW1976

I'm having a hard time with all the people I have seen that the Dr.'s say wait and see.   I had microcalcifications - no palpable mass .  They found it by fluke on a mammo not me and they acted so fast my head was spinning.   How is it mine was so small and they are telling you to wait.  It scares me to hear all this like its different from one Dr. to another one hospital to another.    They want us to be proactive with all this awareness stuff and when we are or do this is what happens to women.  Again my situation was different but it makes me so uposet to see anyone go through this.  As if breast cancer isnt scary enough!   Im sorry you are going through this please get another opinion asap.