got abnormal mammogram in my other breast today

gretchy

I guess I have to start by saying I feel like a fair weather friend. AFter finishing my radiation on January 22nd, 2015 and managing on my own with the side effects of arimedix and ovary suppression injections I haven't been hanging around these boards at all. Now, I've come back in a flash because I remember how comforting it can be when you are scared to death. I just thought when she said the word "biopsy" , that "man, can't I catch a break?" My life was just falling in to place, with my son graduating hs, my other two kids doing well daughter going in to junior year of college, and youngest finsihing up 9th grade all doing well, a promotion at work, things going well with hubby, I don't understand, this may be nothing like the radiaologist said, but sometimes I feel they say "it's gonna be alright" because they don't want a crying woman in their office. Having said that, I don't mind if any of you tell me its gonna be alright. They did say it's a 3'd tammo and it can pick up calcifications, my breasts are dense it was near the aerola and they just want to be "on the safe side" given my and my family's history of breast cancer. My needle biopsy is next Tuesday and then it's 3-5 business days before I get the results. Last time I had the biopsy I ended up having to have a lumpectorm and and then the lymph node biopsy and you can see why I'm just running away here with this news. Please help me slow down.

3boysmomEE

you've been through a lot, of course you would be a little anxious. My biopsy is tomorrow and it just eats at you...I don't have a BC history, but I lost many people way too young in my family to various cancers...so it's hard not to be nervous. Was your new spot similar in any way to your older one, or something totally different

gretchy

My spot is on top of the left aerola and the one that was dx with bc in 2014 was underneathe the breast so it is kind of weird. In any case thanks for making me feel "normal" for being anxious!

grammakathy

Of course you an anxious - we all have been there.  Try to stay busy and take it one step at a time.  If the results are "all clear" - celebrate!  If not, take it one step at a time and focus on that one thing you are dealing with.  This board has excellent people who will walk through this with you.  Hugs!

art15

My wife has dense breast tissue, Kaiser missed her early spot, you are right to be aggressive and ask for MRI if needed. With dense breasts, mammo does not see well. If ILC, (Invasive/infiltrating lobular cancer,) mammo does not see. The insurance companies do not like to do MRI because then they must do biopsies, but you are in good hands to pursue this, a needle biopsy will put your mind at rest, request copies of all work done.

grammakathy

Kaiser missed my BC the year before I was diagnosed also.  It was marked as not a problem.  Luckily, it didn't impact the treatment I had the next year and I can't say enough about their team approach to treating us.  I hope your wife is doing well.  In addition to the paperwork I receive at each visit, I also write once a year for my complete medical record in digital form and have gleaned more information from those notes.

art15

Kaiser is not good with cancer. They do not like to refer for MRI. The PET/CT scan 10 months ago showed uptake in her other armpit, not the on she had cancer on the other side 8 yrs ago. They said "no follow up needed" They could have had her in for U/S, if those lymph nodes were abnormal, they could have shown "no fatty lipium" a dead-giveaway for carcinoma...We thought it was an "artifact" from PET injection, as my wife has weak veins and they had to do twice. Scripps or any other group will never implicate another medical group, there is a silent protection vs medical malpractice.

My wife is doing well after 1 cycle of carbo/gemzar +Nuelasta shot, we won't know until after her 2nd cycle if the tumor has shrunk, thanks for asking that is very kind. Scripps is better for cancer care, in our experience. I would NEVER trust Kaiser, even though I am happy w/ Primary Care,but they have made huge life-or-death mistakes, with my wife, just my opinion,

grammakathy

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience with Kaiser but thrilled you found doctors and hospitals that are treating your wife appropriately. Other than a talented BS who was extremely arrogant, I received the best care possible. It was seamless as I was handed off to an MO and PS. I was able to change to an excellent BS so that I no longer deal with the jerk for my follow up. Since my cancer was IDC, it followed a routine path. Best wishes