Biopsy scheduled and I am an emotional basket case!

Myopiawmn

So quick background - 6 years out from stage 2 breast cancer, had lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, diagnosed at 36. I had finally stopped thinking that every ache and pain was cancer and when I went to my mammo last Friday, I was completely unstressed, just doing my yearly mammo to make everyone happy. Until the radiologist came out and said there was an cluster of microcalcifications that he wanted biopsied. And then my whole stress free bubble burst. I just had my appointment with my surgeon today and it was all that I could do to not break into tears multiple times. I am not that person that cries or breaks down at medical problems. When I was originally diagnosed 6 years ago, I went out to dinner with my family afterwards. The next day I broke down but not right away. Now I'm barely keeping it together and the stress of waiting for the biopsy in a few days and then having to wait another week for the results is going to make me have a nervous breakdown! Mentally I know the results will probably come back benign but that 15% chance that they won't is killing me! Arggggggg!!!

KBeee

((((HUGS)))) Waiting is horrible. Hoping all comes back benign.

proudtospin

deep breath, been there a couple of years back when they saw stuff on my mamo. Understand something I learned from that, your team if like mine is very very careful and will pull a biopsy for anything even a tad suspecious

now, from your tag line, you did everything you could when you were diagnosed, you tossed the full kitchen sink at it so lets stay positive that this is just a false alarm, but of course if it is something, your team is there for you

best wishes and do let us know how it all comes out

Myopiawmn

Thank you! I just needed to vent because no one that I know has or had breast cancer and I just can't explain the anxiety to them. 15% to normal people is great, to me it's a huge percentage.

kdholt

I am right there with you! I am 7 years out. I found a small lump in my scar tissue area and asked for a mammo since it was that time anyway. Mammo also picked up microcalcifications so I am a wreck worrying that I have bc again. My biopsy is scheduled for Thursday. I realize that there are a lot of benign conditions that can mimic bc like scar tissue and fat necrosis. But I am terrified! The US tech made it sound like the lump was superficial. In fact I believe her words were I wouldn't even worry about that. She thought it was probably a clip left in from my surgery. She said those were common and scar tissue can form around them. Still I panic. It is so hard to make myself do anything! Has any one else had similar circumstances and it not turn out to be a return of bc?

Myopiawmn

Hi kdholt - my biopsy is also on Thursday so I'm right there with you! I'm thinking positive thoughts for you!

kdholt

Hi Myopiawmn- I will pray for a benign outcome for you as well!

Raili

Myopia, I'm so sorry to hear you have to go through this - but I empathize! I'm in a very similar situation! I was diagnosed six years ago, too, at age 30... Stage I, lumpectomy, rads, Tamox. I just finished Tamox a few months ago and was so happy to hear my onc say I'm so healthy I don't even need follow up appointments with her anymore!

Then BOOM, strange lump in my armpit. Cue ultrasound. Radiologist says it looks "bothersome" and is happy to learn I have my breast surgeon's business card right there in my wallet so he can fax her the images right away to get a biopsy scheduled. And yup, my stress-free bubble burst, too. I had the biopsy this morning. I saw the words the radiologist wrote on the instructions to the pathology lab: check to see whether my tissue sample is "metastasis to lymph node, or benign hyperplasia." I should have results in 48 hours and I'm a basket case. No doctor or tech has told me that either option is more likely than the other, so I have no idea. Benign or malignant. I'm either totally healthy, or dealing with late-stage cancer, and not knowing is driving me insane. Sure, statistically, it's more likely to be benign. But statistically, I wasn't supposed to have had breast cancer at ALL, at age 30 with no family history. I'm such an emotional mess right now... but trying not to talk about it too much with family and friends in case it turns out to be nothing... so I'm glad to have this place. I haven't posted here in years. It's a little surreal to be back.

Kd, wow, I'm so sorry you're in the same boat. Did the tech use the exact word "superficial"? Because that word can either mean "nothing to worry about" (colloquially) or "close to the surface" (medically). My lump is superficial, in the sense that it's very close to the surface and easily felt. But no one has told me it's not worrisome. And actually, I'm glad, because I never trust anyone now when they say that. Six years ago, the radiologist said he was "98% sure" my breast lump was benign, but recommended a biopsy just in case. Then the surgeon who did the biopsy said he was "99% sure" it would be benign. WRRONNNGG!! So statistics are now pretty meaningless to me and I don't like doctors' or technicians' guesses or gut feelings. I only trust path reports. Hoping mine is good news, and yours, too, Kd...

Myopic and Kd, good luck on Thursday; I hope your biopsies go well. I'll be waiting for my phone call on Thursday to hear the results of mine. Prayers for us all!

Myopiawmn

6 years ago everyone told me that they were sure it was nothing also. I really think they just say that to keep you calm. That's one reason I am so stressed because everyone is saying it's probably nothing (again) but they want to be sure because of my high risk of cancer due to being a survivor.

Raili

I got my phone call early - IT'S BENIGN!!! So, so happy and relieved right now. Hoping for good news for you, too.

Myopiawmn

Raili, that is fantastic!! Now kdholt and I expect the same results

Myopiawmn

I had my biopsy today and they saw another cluster near the other one on the mammo they do to assist the biopsy. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Now for the waiting game.....

kdholt

So Thursday I went to a highly reputable cancer facility an hour from my home. I met with a breast surgical oncologist fully expecting to have a biopsy. She reviewed my history with me, examined my films and prior pathology. She was able to feel the lump and said it was very small. She also preceded to tell me that based on my previous diagnosis and treatment there was only a 5% chance of a recurrence of breast cancer in that breast. She mentioned also that she really didi not see anything alarming in my mammo and ultra sound, but wanted me to have a repeat ultrasound in their facility because she had a tremendous amount of confidence in their technicians and radiologists who deal with breast issues on a daily basis and have seen everything imaginable.If anything suspicious showed up, I was to have a biospy immediately. I had the ultra sound and liked the technician who performed it. She was very open with me and explained everything she was doing and what she was looking for. We marked with a pen where we felt the lump and had the ultra sound. She found nothing at all suspicious. I asked her if that was a good thing or a bad thing. She said that was a good thing. She showed the films to the radiologist who also came in and said she saw nothing worrisome, but she was going to just double check her self. She also felt the small lump. She explained to me that among other things they look for increased blood flow in the area and she saw nothing like that going on. She couldn't get the lump to show up on ultra sound either and did not recommend a biopsy. When i asked her what she thought the lump was then she explained that she felt it was a psuedo lump (normal breast tissue). The recommendation was a six month follow up with mammo, ultra sound and visit with surgical oncologist. No mention of an MRI and I did not think to ask for one at the time. I was so relieved with their recommendations. But, now I am wondering if I should have asked for one or why they didn't suggest one. Am I worrying needlessly? These are people who deal with breast cancer on a daily basis. Wouldn't they be extra cautious with someone who already had a history of bc? Leave it to me to worry about a 5% recurrence chance instead of focusing on the fact that there is a 95% chance that I have absolutely nothing wrong with me. Grrr! Not sure if I should call back and ask questions or put it out of my head for 6 mths and enjoy life.

kdholt

Myopiawmn, please update when you get your results! You've been in my thoughts and prayers!

Myopiawmn

5 and 15% sound like really good odds until YOU are the one that has that chance of cancer. As my surgeon said, yes he is betting on benign because 15% isn't nearly as high as 85% but he could see 20 women today and have to tell 3 they had cancer. But you cancer center sounds very knowledgeable so I say enjoy 6 months before the stress starts again

My surgeon said that the results may be in Monday and I can call him then. So Monday may be a really good day, a really bad day or another very stressful day ifthe results aren't in....

dtad

I think the thought of a recurrence is almost worse than the initial diagnosis. This has not happened to me yet but I have been through other medical crisis in my life with children, family members, etc. For some reason you get through it initially but the thought of a repeat is horrifying. So I get it but.... Just try to remember the odds are on your side. I know how hard the waiting is though. Heres hoping and praying for good results. Keep us posted....