MRI...and the wait continues

Rondeezee

Hi All,

I just had a bilateral breast MRI and the feeling is quite sureal. I have been experiencing quite a bit of anxiety since February 1. I posted in another forum that I have received an inconclusive 3-D mammogram and ultrasound up until today. This website has been a godsend because it has helped me over the past few weeks. I guess I’m feeling at a point where I don’t know what to expect now, praying for the best but anticipating the worst. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 21 years ago, and received a lumpectomy and radiation treatment, and I’ve been OK ever since. My recent 3-D tomo showed some increased distortion up near the scar area and a ultrasound confirmed it as well as another lesion that showed some irregular margins. The good thing is that neither lesion on the ultrasound showed blood flow and I believe one showed posterior enhancement. So now I am here.... waiting

Egads007

I think I would prefer to be skinned and rolled in salt as opposed to waiting for results (as I am now). It would be easier. Personally I try to draw from the strength I gained through the whole ordeal 4 years ago, it helps...a little. Hang in and draw sanity any whichway you prefer. Keep us posted please, we all care, very much.

Miss_Vickie

Hi RhondaJ,  I am in the same boat - waiting for final MRI results.  This is my  first time around with the possibility of BC and I was completely terrified.  I had my MRI at 12 noon and I heard back from the radiologist but he is going to forward it to the other radiologist that stated that she saw something extra on my diagnostic mammogram.

Right now I am just concentrating on drinking my 100 ounces of water and looking forward to a long good night sleep.

I wish you all the best for your results.  Extra prayer tonight for you.

grl06c

waiting is the absolute worst. I am currently in the process of scheduling my lumpectomy and wish I could just find out the results right now. It is helpful to know that there are others who can empathize. This communityis truly amazing.

Rondeezee

Hello Egads007,

I agree..the waiting is tortuous! I cringe every time the phone rings dreading the call re: bad news. I completed my MRI at 11:00am PST and was told that if the radiologist saw something suspicious, he would contact my doctor immediately. No phone call as yet..not sure what to think. I was told my report would be ready in 24 to 48 hours. I am now sitting on pins and needles. I am praying for b9 results for you and I am also sending you. Big cyber hug...this BC forum is wonderful

Rondeezee

Hi Miss Vickie,

Wishing you all the best on yourjourney. Even if your results are positive, I am hopeful that it is in its earliest stages. I dontwish this nightmare on any woman. I was faced with many fears during my 1st bought with BC 21 years ago. I forgot about all of those horrible feelings until recently. I had a good cry today and felt better. Still praying for b9 results. Amazed at how quickly you heard back from your radiologist after your MRI. I wonder if this is normal protocol for suspicious findings. Sounds like you are getting great care. I, too, am praying for you and sending you a big cyber hug

Rondeezee

Hi grl06c,

Wishing you all the best on your journey and praying for b9 results for you. I agree that this BC community is amazing! Sending prayers and a big cyber hug your way

Miss_Vickie

Hi Rhonda J,

Thank you for the well wishes, the radiologist that called me was the one on staff at the time.  The other radiologist that saw an additional area of concern was out today but will get back to me tomorrow.  The MRI I had was private pay as my insurance did not approve of one before a biopsy. My biopsy was scheduled 5 weeks after my diagnostic mamm.

I cannot imagine the fear and anxiety you are going through.  This is my first time and I thought I was strong but this is just too much at times.  I hope you are not like me and every extra discomfort or bout of tiredness is adding to it.  I will remember you in my prayers tonight for B9 results.

The only silver lining is that I'm told that if there is anything then it is early.  

Rondeezee

Hi Miss Vickie,

This is day 2 post MRI and I have heard nothing. Trying so hard to believe that this may be good news. I was told that if the radiologist saw something suspicious, he/she would phone my PCP immediately. My PCP is pretty good at calling me right away and I have heard nothing. I know that there is some kind of report because I checked the electronic portal and it says report is pending. Still nervous and just want this to be all over. I have been suffering anxiety for 6 weeks now. I know what you are going through and I will continue to pray for you. Cancer is aweful and I pray daily that this dreadful disease will end

Egads007

hanging in and hanging on?

Rondeezee

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to come back with an update. I received a call that my breast mri came back abnormal and they want to do an ultrasound guided biopsy on one of the lesions discovered on my recent ultrasound, and it is the lesion that did not show up on my 3D tomo mammogram. Not as upset as I have been as this was my first MRI and I anticipated some enhancements in either breast realizing that mri has a high rate of false positives. I don't have the MRI report in hand as yet, so I don't know my BIRAD score. The lump that they want to biopsy is in my radiated breast of 21 years. Ultrasound guided biopsy and bilateral ultrasound scheduled for next Thursday. Please keep me in yours prayers

Egads007

Hi Rhonda, thanks for letting us know. The same happened to me when staging. A second biopsy was done for something found on my first mri, they seemed pretty concerned about it. Turned out to be nothing. I’m praying your results are the same. We’ll get you through to next Thursday, you can count on that! Stay positive and take care of yourself each and every day! Big hugs!!!

Rondeezee

Thank you Egads007!

I so appreciate your well wishes.. so comforting. BCO has been a tremendous source of strength since the beginning of my ordeal and the support has been immeasurable. Cyber hugs!!

Egads007

Hey Rhonda, hope you find peace this weekend by taking the time off of all the scary stuff that rolls around the mind. Hugs

Georgia1

Definitely thinking good thoughts for you RhondaJ. Do something nice for yourself this weekend!

Egads007

Hey Rhonda...thinking of you and still sending those positives. Almost there, hope you’re coping

Rondeezee

Hey Egads007,

I am doing quite well this week. I’ve decided that I can’t let the “unknown” stop me from living. I must and will move beyond whatever my diagnosis is. I’m actually looking forward to Thursday..I am really ready to know what’s going on so that I can move forward with my life. I so appreciate you checking on me..I will be sure to let you know how the biopsy goes on Thursday. Hugs!!

Egads007

Sounds like you’ve got a good handle on it...much joy for me reading that! No thanks are necessary...that’s what this fine sisterhood does...that is us. One more sleep sister, I’ll be there in spirit and I’m positive everyone here is as well! Hugs!!

Rondeezee

Hi Egads007,

Just wanted to let you know that my biopsy and bilateral ultrasound has been completed. The biopsy process was uneventful and I did not feel anything. The right breast had no suspicious findings on ultrasound. The original lesion that prompted my first ultrasound had no concerning enhancements on MRI. The one lesion that showed up on my first ultrasound, but not on 3D tomo mammogram, did enhance on MRI prompting the biopsy. I should have my results by mid next week. I feel good and am in good spirits. No matter what the outcome, I must carry on. Thanks so much for all of your prayers. Hope you are enjoying this beautiful day. Hugs!!!

Egads007

Beautiful day indeed....’cause my friend Rhonda rocked her biopsy and had good news on a few fronts!!! So glad it’s done for you....sounds like you dealt beautifully just like I knew you would! So, we’re in the holding pattern again until next week, but your spirits are good and you seem ready to take on everything and anything. We’re all praying this last hurdle proves to be just as good as the first set of results! Get some much needed rest, you must be exhausted from the day.

Miss_Vickie

RhondaJ, I am so happy that your this step is over and you are in good spirits!  Regardless of the outcome, you and I both have to start embracing life NOW - so glad to have met you and Egads007 and look forward to learning and sharing in each other's adventures!

Until next week, just curl up, rest and enjoy the pampering that you deserve.  Fingers Crossed!

Rondeezee

Hello All,

Reaching out with a partial update..the bilateral ultrasound that I had on yesterday was reported to be normal!! Yeah!!! Still waiting in the report from the biopsy taken yesterday but at least this is good news going into the weekend. Please keep me in prayer..hugs!!!

Egads007

Oh Rhonda, seriously choked up with tears of happiness for you here! Thank you so much for posting, I've been thinking of you all day...even my better half came home and asked 'anything from Rhonda yet?' Besides this vast awesome community you have an entire family pulling for you waaaay up in Canada lol! You go have yourself a treat filled weekend. Onwards and upwards for the last half of this galll darned wait....almost there, prayers are in place!

Jons_girl

wow read this thread and wow you ladies are waiting! Hoping it's ok to post. More than just Rhonda waiting I think, right? Anyone of you get results back yet?

Will say a prayer for you all tonight.

I have a question for you ladies. Is having a MRI awful? I hate the thought of IV😞I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to needles. Also a bit claustrophobic 😊

I'm considering having a MRI vs ultrasound this yr for my breast recheck appt.

my tissue is extremely dense in the dense tissue BIRAD lexicon scale of4 so 3D mammograms see nothing. I'm not sure if I should just have another bilateral ultrasound or MRI. I've not had one and I've read on this forum about women who's cancer wasn't seen on mammo or ultrasound.

Sorry to go off topic a bit here but since you've had MRI I thought I'd ask

Prayed yr results will be benign.

Hugs!

Egads007

Hi Jonsgirl,


I feel your fear of needles and claustrophobia fears...I’m the same way. After being put into the ‘old tin can’ (as I like to call it) more times than I can remember and jabbed with 10,000 needles through the whole process I found my fears diminishing down to a manageable level. I started to realize that every test and process was another step towards my recovery. Some tips you can try if you do get an MRI....at least what I tried...I kept my eyes closed tight through to the end, what i can’t see can’t scare me, try to remember that you actually are in a safe environment with the techs only a stones throw away. Have a ‘to do list’ ready in your head. I mentally put together outfits to wear from my imaginary closet, planned dinner parties etc...eventually it made me quite sleepy and actually felt a woozy relaxed state when the test was over. I said ‘thanks for the spa treatment!’ when I was done. Breathing exercises work great when the fear sets in too. The good thing is that MRIs are painless, the worst you get is a bunch of odd noise that’s sometimes loud. MRIs aren’t awful if you don’t allow them to be. Btw, I dodged the bullet on my diagnostic mammo/ US...as I’m praying to happen for RhondaJ, Miss Vickie and every single person on the planet! Are you going through testing? Hugs right back!

Jons_girl

Hi Egads: Oh I am so glad all turned out good for you with your results! I hope Rhonda's results are great too!! Sounds like Miss Vickie should have her results back soon so that is good as well!

Thank you for all the info on how you mentally prepare for a MRI etc. I am trying to decide if I will ask for one. I am going to chat with my MO and get his opinion too.

I have my 1 year recheck appts in June. No testing yet. So I am trying to figure out what is the best diagnostic I should do this year. I had been doing bilateral ultrasounds. But I have seen here how some women have had cancer missed both on mammo and ultrasound and MRI seems to be catching all of the cancer tumors. Or most of them. I felt my tumor....I was the one who caught mine. Went to have a mammo after I went to the breast center for a manual exam. The Nurse Practitioner felt it and thought it was just a cyst sent me immediately for a diagnostic 3D mammo and ultrasound back to back. The mammo saw nothing (I have extremely dense breast tissue). The ultrasound saw it right away and even the blood source. My MO said I was very fortunate to have caught it so early. So I am thankful. I just want to make sure all is caught early if it ever were to come back. I guess I am a little paranoid.

Egads007

Hi Jonsgirl, thanks for the congrats on my results, and like you I’m rooting for Rhonda and Ms. V’s results to be the same. Your story is mine, I found the lump, ultrasound showed it (and it’s blood source) biopsy confirmed it. I didn’t hit an MRI until diagnosis, however mine wasn’t caught as early as yours. Basically I allowed my fear to take over and tell me it was nothing....so I waited it out for a month. Your little bit if paranoia is wise in my books. It might have saved me the possibility of further problems down the road, problems I hope never rear their ugly heads. So yeah, you keep on advocating for yourself. A wee bit of paranoia goes a long way in catching things early, as well as clearing our minds of the anxiety. Keep us posted in how things go in June. I’m hoping all goes smoothly for you! Cheers

Jons_girl

Hi Egads: Wow yes we have very similar stories! amazing huh? It is good we caught the tumors. Sometimes I wonder when mine would have been caught. It sure didn't shot up on a mammogram and it is like pulling hair to get a ultrasound unless they find something first. I am hopeful that in the future women will have a choice other than mammograms for breast diagnostic screenings. Dense breast tissue women like myself deserve some other option. In a perfect world, we'd have the choice to have a bilateral mammogram or a bilateral ultrasound. Will that ever happen? Time will tell.

Thank you so much for your support! I am leaning towards having a MRI in June. I completely agree with what you said about my paranoia. We have to advocate for ourselves....because the medical profession sure doesn't always do that.

Have a wonderful day!

Egads007

Hi Jonsgirl...indeed, in a perfect world we’d have all choices available in a drive thru format! ‘Yes I think I will biggie size my fries...it’ll help pass the time during the MRI’ LOL! Hope your day is wonderful as well! Hugs!

Egads007

Hi Rhonda, I hope you’re keeping well...thinking of you, hugs

Rondeezee

Hi Egads007,

Thank you for checking on me. Today is surreal...got by biopsy results..I didn’t make it to the 80% club. Don’t know much yet with the exception of cancer returned to the left breast 21 years later. I am not sad as I hoped for the best outcome but I was prepared for the worst. Needless to say, I have have my game face onand I am ready to fight. I’m somewhat comforted in knowing that, due to all the pre work up, no evidence of BC in the right breast and no evidence of lymph node involvement in the Axilla and remaining left breast. I’ve made up my mind that I am opting for a bilateral mastectomy (nipple saving) with immediate reconstruction. I’ll be moving overboard to the Just Diagnosed board so look for me there for the near term. Hugs!