7m postpartum, US, biopsy and WAITING

Olive0716

Hi all! I've been lurking on this site for about 2 weeks now and finally decided to post. I'm 29 with a 7 month old son who was born July 2016. We failed miserably at breastfeeding so I gave up in August. Around Christmas I was holding him and in my right breast i had a weird letdown sensation, but just brushed it off. The months following it happened more and more frequently, only on the right and it came with a very painful lump that I assumed was a clogged duct and swelling. I also had the mirena IUD inserted in October (maybe there's a correlation?). 02/09 I was sent for an US. Findings were

"2.4cm lobulated mass with angular margins at 11 o'clock posterior depth. Hypoechoic with posterior acoustic enhancement. This correlates as palpated. Color flow demonstrates that vascularity is present. RIGHT BREAST IS SUSPICIOUS OF MALIGNANCY."

There is not birad score, so I'm not sure if it's 4 or 5, but I would assume one or the other. I went on 02/14 for a core needle biopsy (wasn't bad at all!). In my small little room I had the US tech, an RN and THREE radiologist. I thought 3 was odd. I have asked my OB, the surgeon and all of these radiologist what they think and I don't feel like any of them are being straight forward with me. They all keep saying "it's very rare for someone your age to get BC, so don't worry". I know it's rare, but it's possible and I'm losing my freakin' mind waiting. My appointment to get results isn't until the 23rd so I still have almost a week of waiting.

KayaRose

Hi, Just a thought but the additional radiologists may have been medical residents or students doing a radiology rotation. I worked at a teaching hospital and a lot of the attending doctors had residents/students working with them. They should notify you prior to starting any procedure that they are residents and ask your permission to allow them to participate. It's unusual, for sure, to have 3 radiologists present.

Also, keep in mind that doctors very rarely will tell you their opinions without having read the biopsy results.

Good luck to you and your little boy.

Olive0716

Kaya, thank you for your response! The radiologist who physically did the biopsy introduced them as radiologists, not students/residents, who 'work together as a team' and it just hit me in a bad way I think. HOWEVER, I'm a ball of stress and could totally be thinking too far into it (hopefully. I will be updating this as soon as I get my pat report.

Moderators

Baby,

We're all right here with you, sending good thoughts and hoping for good news. Please keep us posted on what you find out!

--The Mods

Anonymous

Baby- hang in there, this is the worst and it isn't fair you have to deal with this at your age and with a baby to take care of. I hate it for any of us, but sometimes I just don't get the timing. Wishing you quickly off of this board.....I agree with Kaya- they're not going to tell you until the pathology comes back. I remember thinking the Dr and tech in my room weren't saying much of anything so that just up'd my worry as well.

Try not to google (it's so hard).....and please keep us posted.

Olive0716

Thank you so much for your time Mods and ajbclan! This truly seems like such a genuine community and I will definitely be updating my outcome. This is probably a long shot, but the only other 'good sign,' aside from my age, that the US tech relayed to me was that malignancies don't have posterior enhancement...instead they have shadowing. Can anyone shed some light on the legitamacy of that? Should that ease my anxiety or is enhancement still possible? Oh and that it's painful, I guess I do have things in my favor?

Olive0716

I wish I could stay off of Google. I hate that I still have another four days for results and seriously feel like I'm losing it. It's unlikely that those diagnosed remember what their ultrasound findings were, but if anyone sees this and can give me any kind of insight I would appreciate it SO much.

MinusTwo

Baby - there are enough information articles on this site that you will never have to go to google. You can go to the main BCO site and read to your hearts content. Still it's good to put it away if you can.

Radiologists are not really supposed to give you a clue to what they see. They send that info back to the ordering doc to communicate with you. It's not realistic to think that "they were not being straight.."

I'm sorry I can't answer your question about ULS findings. Waiting is very hard, and I see you still have 3 more days. Try to find distractions like walking or binge TV watching.

Olive0716

I logged into my patient portal this morning. Invasive moderately differentiated Ductal Carcinoma. Triple Negative. I don't know what to do. How bad is triple negative?

Countrygirl80

My heart sank to read your most recent post. I can honestly say I know how you feel, as I was diagnosed with IDC when my son was just 4 months old. I see you live in Ohio - so do I. If you aren't already, I encourage you to doctor with either the Stefanie Spielman Center (part of the James at OSU) or the Cleveland Clinic - or at least get a second opinion from one of them. Triple negative doesn't have as many treatment options as other subtypes, but it is still certainly curable. The larger cancer centers will know the most effective way to stop it.

You will need lots of help with your little one - treatment is no fun. But, you WILL get through it. Take it one day at a time. It will get better. I promise. Feel free to message me with any other questions. Big hugs to you as you start this journey. It's just not fair

AmusingSoprano

I'm sorry to read your diagnosis, I was really hoping for a benign outcome for you. But you truly have come to the right place for support and knowledge.The ladies (and men) on these discussion boards are an absolute mine of information and are so encouraging and supportive. There is a Triple Negative thread you can join which will help you with that aspect of it. From my limited knowledge of TN, I understand that the good thing about it, is that it responds really well to chemo.

Hopfull2

babykeegs, I'm so sorry for what your going through and the fact that you have a baby. I know how it feels. I have a 2yr old and first thing was that came to my mind is I want to watch my kids grow . And this first month is going to be filled with anxiety but once you start your treatment plan you will feel better, it might b surgery 1st then chemo or chemo than surgery. Just take this time to relax and don't let the internet scare u.

Hugs

TartletMom

Babykeegs, I recently joined these boards too, waiting for my biopsy. I am so sorry to read this. I have young kids as well. I wish you answers and strength in the coming days. Please keep us posted on how you are doing. ((Hugs))

SSInUK

So sorry for your news - so cruel to have it intrude on this time with a gorgeous new baby. It's all wrong. This is the very worst time. It will get more manageable. The cancer road is hard work but so many are walking it and will hold your hand and see you over the finish line. You will get time with your little one again. And while little kids break your heart when you face cancer - they also get you through. Nothing dims the wonder and joy of them. Will be thinking of you. Hug

MinusTwo

Baby - I too am sorry for your diagnosis. Please do update us after you see the doctor. The worry will get easier once you have a plan.

Cowboy-Up

Baby, I'm sorry that you are joining us at such a young age. I agree with the other post about Stephanie Speilman Comprehensive Breast Center (part of Ohio State's James Cancer Hospital.). I am a Buckeye too and this is where I am getting my treatments. We are all here for you

Olive0716

I just want to keep updating my post! I've told my family and friends and we all seem to be dealing with this well. Maybe I'm slightly in denial or maybe it hasn't quite hit me. I really feel like I'm going to beat this. I know the next year is going to SUCK, but it's just a bump in the road (although a pretty sucky one). My MRI is Monday morning and I'll get those results Thursday (hoping for the best there). I have my first onc appt on the 7th of March (my birthday- BOO). But the surgeon is trying to get menin there a little sooner. I'm pushing for a dbl mascetomy because I don't want to be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life if I'm able to beat this once. I have no family history of BC so we're not sure if my insurance will allow a double and I may end up with only a lumpectomy. It feels nice to have the start of plan though. I hope all of your journeys are going as smoothly as possible!

MTwoman

Baby, I'm SO glad to hear that you and your support system have moved into "dealing with it" mode. Being stuck in what-is-it/what-if mode is awful! Having a plan and moving forward, was always better for me than feeling stuck. Each day, you're further through whatever treatments you need to go through. Thanks for updating us and big ((hugs)) to you!!

SkiChick86

Hi BabyKeegs716,

I just wanted to jump in and say hi and how sorry I am that you have to be here. I was diagnosed almost two months ago . I have a two-year-old at home and I am 27 weeks pregnant with baby #2 (I was 20 weeks pregnant at diagnosis). It is so hard to go through all of this with a young kid at home but as my oncologist said, it almost makes it easier because you don't have time to sit around feeling sorry for yourself . Please feel free to PM me if you'd like. I am not triple negative but I can comiserate with the challenges of going through breast cancer as a young mom.

Olive0716

Can you guys give me an idea of the steps involved and the length of time it took to get your staging? I'm still trying to be optimistic, but this being in limbo crap is taking its toll on me. I'm having scary symptoms (blurred vision and radiating stabbing chest pain), but I know these symptoms can also be caused by the anxiety I have with all of this. I just really, really want an idea of what exactly I'm dealing with and how bad it is. I feel like my doctors are still keeping me in the dark.

MinusTwo

baby - staging is not determined for sure until after surgery when the tissue is sent to the labs.

Your MRI is this coming week, correct? That will give you some more details.

Please go see your PCP or Gyn or other doc that you trust to discuss anxiety. There are any number of fairly mild things they can prescribe to mitigate your fear & stress.

Olive0716

Minus thank you! I probably sound so annoying to you guys who have been beyond this, so for that I apologize. My nerves are just shot right now. I appreciate your response and I think I will look into something for anxiety (I'm sure my boyfriend will appreciate me chilling out - ha).

mustlovepoodles

Baby, nobody is annoyed. We've all gotten a diagnosis of cancer. I think you've got a pretty decent handle on things, all things considered. The first time I met my MO she said, "Just know that this year is gonna SUCK. But you're not gonna die."

She was right 2015-2016 sucked. Really sucked. But im okay now. I don't think I'll ever stop looking over my shoulder, but I can't just live there.

MinusTwo

Poodles - I love what your MO said.

Baby - no, we're not annoyed. Just thinking about what might be best for you.