What a journey

tenderfoot

So here is my story so far....

Beginning of Oct I started having pain in my right breast, I didn't think anything of it but it was time for my annual mammogram so I made the appointment. Soonest they had was Nov 14. So about the middle of Oct I was still having the pain so I got to feeling around, I felt what was may be a lump. I wasn't really sure because I have never done self breast exams so I have no idea what is normal for me, but in that area it was tender. I had my husband feel and he said it felt like a lump to him too. Well I basically put it out of mind and just waited for my appointment. I wasn't real concerned because I had been called back every year for 3 years after my annual and everything was always ok. But for some reason I felt like this was different.

So I finally had my appointment Nov, 14, 2016. They did the mammogram and I waited. They called me back in for more pics, more magnified, and then I waited. I was then called back into the ultrasound room where they did the ultra sound. I could clearly see the "mass" but it meant nothing to me because I had no clue what I was looking at or looking for. The doctor then came in and ask a bunch of questions. He was very wishy washy about saying anything. It was rather strange really, almost like he was talking to himself and trying to figure out what this may or may not be. It short he acted as though he really had no clue and it could go either way (cancer or not cancer). He gave me a couple options, we could run some various blood tests and see what they say and then go from there or we could do a biopsy. I opted for the biopsy, let cut to the chase I said. Biopsy was then set for Nov 16, 2016 at 7:30 am. I was a tad nervous but not really just ready to get it over with. I was a wreck inside.

I show up on 11/16/16 for the biopsy and was immediately told the computers were down and they were rescheduling everyone. OMG!! They were going to make me wait a whole week!! So 11/22/16. I was so furious!! I wasn't just angry, I was FURIOUS!! That day I didn't want to talk to anyone!

But that day something switched in me and I calmed down, I no longer was completely freaking out and worried and stressing. I had a calm come over me. I am still concerned but I feel like I already know the answer to what my result will be. My gut, my 6th sense tells me it is cancer, BUT it could also be my paranoia telling me that, but I don't think so. I have talked with God and I am ok.

Some may read this and think this lady is totally nuts. That's ok, I felt the need to put this all in writing so that one day I can look back on it. I will even go as far as to document that I believe that my results will show IDC stage 3. I maybe crazy and totally wrong time will tell, in a week or less I will know if I am right or wrong.

MelissaDallas

Hmmm...very odd. I never heard of "various blood tests" being used to diagnose a breast mass.

The vast majority of breast lumps prove to be benign.

If you can not only diagnose cancer but cancer AND cancer stage, maybe you should go to medical school.

tenderfoot

"If you can not only diagnose cancer but cancer AND cancer stage, maybe you should go to medical school."

Wow that was snarky.

Thanks for your input!

MelissaDallas

I don't understand what you want from us, or what you want us to say.

Do you want us to agree with your assessment? Truly, most breast lumps are benign.

I really don't understand how you have arrived at the conclusion that, not only do you have cancer, but that you are Stage III

Luna52

Tenderfoot - how incredibly frustrating to show up for your biopsy and hear you have to wait another week!!!

I hope your gut is wrong and your lump will turn out benign. Is there a reason you suspect Stage III? Are you concerned about the size as shown on the ultrasound?

Good luck on the 22nd and I hope you get the results quickly.

Luna

aven

"He was very wishy washy about saying anything. It was rather strange really, almost like he was talking to himself and trying to figure out what this may or may not be. It short he acted as though he really had no clue and it could go either way (cancer or not cancer)."

This is because sometimes they truly don't know (in my case this is what happened). That's what a biopsy is for. They don't want to tell you something that's incorrect, they are checking it out. It is awful to wait, but try to remember that there is still hope that it's benign. In my case, it was.

Kicks

I, too, have not heard of blood tests to DX BC type and Stage.. Must be very new tests

Yes, there is blood work done for general health and blood tests run after a DX via biopsy is made. These are not to DX BC but for insight into the best TX plans and prognosis.

As you have "documented" that you "believe" you are IDC Stage III - what do you want from those of us who had to rely on a path. report from our biopsies?

Luckynumber47

tenderfoot, I am so sorry you find yourself playing this horrible waiting game. This is really the worst part and if you've already made peace with the possible diagnosis you are way ahead of things.

Are you going to breast specialists or general Drs? I went to local Drs for my mammogram and ultrasound but switched to the specialists for the biospies and surgery. Being in the best possible hands makes all the difference.

Your radiologist could have given you more information. It's likely they know the size of the lump and that is a factor in staging (if it is indeed cancer). When I had my ultrasound they also paid a lot of attention to my lymph node area and they were able to tell me that looked clear. That also is part of staging.

After my biopsy, but before I met with the breast surgeon, I had an MRI. They wanted to leave no stone unturned. I'm grateful they did because they found DCIS in my other breast that didn't show up in the mammogram.

I'm hoping you receive the best possible news from your biopsy. As was already said, most breast lumps are benign

Luna52

Everybody - please try to remember how vulnerable and stressed you felt with the shock of a possible diagnosis facing you.. and the excruciating waiting. Everybody copes in their own way. If someone's question annoys you, just don't respond.

cive

Yeah!!! Luna

Fearless59

Hi, Tenderfoot,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am new here and I am also playing the waiting game right now, after a biopsy today. I totally understand the upset of not knowing. I was given a BIRADS 5, probable spiculated masses, irregular, 4.5 cm with satellites spanning out 10 cm. and extra blood circulation indicative of cancer (trying to leach more nutrients for itself, from what I understand) After a routine mammo then a diagnostic zoom mammo and US.

I hope you get good news from the biopsy! I am trying to just stay busy doing pro-survival things that make me happy, while I wait. But, I was encouraged to see most of my biopsy samples FLOATING in the little jar of preservative. I wanted to know as much as possible and asked to see the little buggers. The doctor said that cancer typically does not float. Also, she found no lymph node involvement. Whoopee!! I had only 2 sinkers out of 10 or 12 tissue samples and one of them was not all the way at the bottom and acted like it was trying to be a floater. Doc did not seem to be worried but may just be conservative and act relaxed for all patients so as not to alarm any of us unnecessarily. Thats pretty cool.

I do not mind waiting. No decisions need to be made yet and I like that!!

Let us just use the extra time in good ways and stay as busy as we can doing fun things.

Lets hope we both get good news. ok?

Hugs,

Marg

Scwilly

Luna :you set out my thoughts exactly.

Tenderfoot: I expect you have got your result by now. I hope that it was benign, do let us all know. You found a way of coping with what is a very difficult time, and I hope you were wrong. We all find ways of coping and in the end if it works for you then it's right for you.

Fearless: my thoughts are with you too. Waiting is such a hard time. I wish you benign results too. Let us know howyou get on.

Best wishes

Sarah