Discouraging results today.

Lovelyfool

Well I went in for my ultrasound today for a rather large tumor that I have that appeared out of no where. The ultrasound tech and doctor found several other lumps that I can't even feel which is strange because I have very small breasts.

The doctors reaction was very much less than encouraging. She just told me that normally with someone my age the large tumor looks benign and she would leave it alone but the other two look bad and irregular so she wants to have biopsys done...

I have the biopsies set up for next week. How painful is this? I'm not sure if I should request the day off work after as well.

Is there really any useful information that I should have aside from just try and be calm while I wait?

Jennyannk73

Personally, since I had three tumors and a node they wanted to biopsy, I was pretty uncomfortable. They did inject numbing medication, but I won't lie- there was a tolerable amount of discomfort. I will pray for you to get good news on yours though. Overall, it wasn't that bad - the worst part was having to wait 4 days to get the pathology results, and then being Cancer for me. Either way though, it must be done and sooner is better! Best wishes!

gb2115

Having been through two biopsies...I would take the rest of the day off work if you have the option. Go home relax and pamper yourself afterwards. It doesn't really hurt during the biopsy (quick shot for numbing), but you will be sore and become best friends with an ice pack afterwards. Tylenol level sore, not worse than that.

Hang in there!!

Legomaster225

Sorry you have to go through this. I would take the rest of the day off. Although to be honest I think I was more sore later that night and the next day. Ice packs and Motrin worked great. My biopsies were on the outside of my breast and in an axillary lymph node though. It might be different for you depending on the location. Take the time to heal your body if at all possible.

I also had considerable bruising from my biopsies so just be aware in case that happens to you. Actual biopsies did not hurt as they numb you first.

Lovelyfool

Thank you for your advice.

The ultrasound experience was more upsetting than I had expected. My doctor insisted that the tumor she could feel must be just a cyst because of my age. Of course it wasn't and not only that, there are several that don't look benign at all.

I'll take the rest of the day that day off and have someone drive me for sure. I can't imagine that it is going to leave me in a great state of mind to be rushing back to work.

mommakat

I just had a core biopsy done on Monday, and I'm super sore still. I am back at work today, but I'm bruised and tender. Working is good to keep my mind off waiting, but I think taking the day to sit home with your ice packs is the best, if you're able.

Good luck to you!

MTwoman

Lovely, just so you have some info to balance out your concerns, 70-80% of all biopsies return B9 findings. They biopsy things that have 3% or more risk of being bc, so they biopsy a lot of things that aren't. Even if they have some concerning features, they turn out not to be bc. So try to remain as calm as you can until you get your actual pathology reports back. Try using distraction and as much relaxation as you can (deep clean something, binge watch Netflix, long walks, long hot bath, breathing, soothing music etc). Good luck for B9 results!

illimae

I recommend taking the day of if you can for any procedure you have a lot of anxiety about, most of what you'll go through isn't too bad physically but can be emotionally upsetting. I cried a lot during the first couple of weeks due to fear and stress but now that I'm in this mess and have a plan in place, I'm doing just fine

7of9

Call for some attivan. It doesn't space you out totally (I often take 2 on big test days, my surgeon once said on a surgery day, "just don't take 1/2 the bottle - it'll make the anesthesiologist nervous" LOL If you are just having needle biopsies you can go to work if you are type A (I'm like that usually) but if you go the Attivan route or get pain meds - go home and sleep or watch a good movie (uplifting, suspenseful, sci fi - say good by to sad dramas for a loooong time - if ever again). I have had needle biopsies (sore) and one where they did the biopsy while in the MRI (won't do ever again - at least not with younger, inexperienced doctor who tried telling me 1/2 way through - you used all the numbing medication - BI%$@! - we'll, it's a big hospital - GET MORE).

NotVeryBrave

I had core needle biopsies of two areas - breast and axilliary node. It wasn't that painful - they use local anesthetic - but pretty weird. I was emotional and nervous and watching on the US probably wasn't the best idea. One of the nurses actually went next door and got a script for Xanax from my BS for me - to help with the pathology wait.

I used ice packs and don't remember taking any pain meds. The next day I went to a bingo fundraiser and had my son's sleepover birthday party the following day.

You will have some bruising and possibly some numbness if they go under your arm. Best of luck!

LisaAlissa

If you decide to ask a doc for anti-anxiety meds, make sure you call the center that will do the biopsy to confirm that they don't have any issues with it. For example, they might not be willing to allow you to sign a consent form w/ meds on-board. People have been sent home w/out their biopsy under such circumstances. Which is why you want to check in w/ them.

If it would be a problem, you could ask them about signing the consent in advance. Or having a spouse or medical POA sign the consent for you. They likely have dealt with the circumstance before, so will have their preferred way to handle it. You just don't want to surprise them...

Oh, and ask for two of the small icepacks so that you can rotate them through the freezer/bra cycle.

HTH,

LisaAlissa

Lovelyfool

So I had biopsy yesterday and am suppose to have my results today or Monday. Waiting is the worst. Unfortunately I didn't ask for anything for anxiety which would have been a fantastic idea.

I can't sleep. I was so not expecting the crazy amount of times I got stabbed with a needle yesterday just for a biopsy. Or the fact that they put the needles in the side of my breast to get to the center, why? Being flat chested that means the majority of my breasts have had needles put thru them so I can't lift my arms.

NotVeryBrave

Yeah - I was very surprised that they went in the side of my breast to hit the 12 o'clock position, too! And the lymph node in my armpit was gotten to through another incision near the first one!

mommakat

Glad the biopsy is over! Waiting was terrible. I had mine on 7/3 and only had to wait until the 7th, but I thought I would jump out of my skin.

Keep the ice packs on and take Tylenol. I was super sore for the week. Even now, I can still feel an ache inside my breast. It's not excruciating, but it hurts in a place I never felt before.

Hang in there and hoping for B9 results for you!

Lovelyfool

So yay! I got my results. My tumors are benign ... They probably will need to be removed eventually because they keep growing but so far as they can tell they are benign.

Thank you all for your advice.

gardensandflowers

So glad to hear the wonderful news!! Congrats 😊