MRI...and the wait continues

Egads007

Rhonda,

Damn it! I HATE this is happening to you!! I’m so very sorry! Oh I have no doubt you are fit for the fight and glad to see you’ve got your game face on already. In your shoes I’d opt for the very same bilateral plan. I’m so glad there’s no lymph node involvement and that the right side is clear. Tell ya what....if you’re not sad I won’t be either, I know you can do this and do it with fighting grace. I will however be angry at cancer for this evening and pray that the next steps go easy on you. I’ll follow you in the other boards for sure. Many supportive hugs

FaithsMama

Hi Eegaads007,

I’m sorry about your diagnosis. Though I’m glad you at least know what you are dealing with. Game face on!! Good for you!!

I am still in the waiting game. Had two biopsies in the right breast Tuesday. Am going crazy waiting for results. It’s been 4 years since my last mammogram. My masses are 5cm and 3 cm. I am worried, needless to say.

Ozarkgirl

In November 2017 I had surgery to remove a radial scar with atypical dysplasia in my right breast. Last week I had a follow up MRI mammogram and a 13mm mass/lesion was found in my left breast. It showed irregular margins and also showed enhancement with the contrast. Today I had an ultrasound to locate the lesion so that a biopsy could be scheduled but they were unable to locate it so I am now scheduled for a MRI guided biopsy. The radiologist indicated that his opinion is it's another lesion with atypia cells and is about 95% sure it's not cancer. I'm actually struggling with the though of not doing the biopsy and waiting it out to see if anything happens. I guess I just don't understand how nothing could show up on an ultrasound that they saw on an MRI -- could it have been an error on the MRI maybe? Maybe I'm just nervous about doing this all over again and the fact that the biopsy will be done with an MRI -- I don't know 😢

Rondeezee

Hi Ozarkgirl,

Sending you a big cyber hug! I was just diagnosed with cancer on yesterday and have learned that most radiologist trained eyes can identify a cancer even before pathology. My tumor appeared malignant on ultrasound and had a mixed appearance on MRI. I did everything within my power to psych myself up that my mass was benign. Turns out that the ultrasound was right...cancer. As scary as a diagnosis of cancer can be, it is treatable in its earliest stages. Your mass is small. Whatever it is, get it taken care of and put it behind you. The unknown is agonizing. You will be just fine. Hugs!!

Ozarkgirl

Thanks RhondaJ ❤

Life has just been a whirlwind over the past 6 months -- on top of all the breast issues (that I didn't know I had) I've had pneumonia. It took 4 rounds of back to back antibiotics and also sterioda to clear my lungs. I still get tired but feeling tons better.

I think that maybe I'm just in disbelief that this is happening again so soon. My hubby says just go ahead and get it done so you know. I'm actually just kinda numb to the thought and don't have the emotion and fear that I had last year.

I always appreciate and love hugs!! ❤

Jons_girl

Rhonda and ozarkgirl:

I'm so sorry to hear about the results you got Rhonda sorry about my slow reply. Life. Ugh. Sending a hug to both of you.

Ozarkgirl: have they told you what type of breast cancer you have? Maybe I missed you saying that. They saw mine on ultrasound. But I've seen on the boards here that some women's cancers are found on mammos. Some on MRI. Some on untrasound like mine was. But some of those modalities don't see cancer. Often it's the dense tissue issue that causes that. Or the type of cancer.

Egads007

Hi Rhonda - Life must be so hectic for you right now. Thought I’d pop by and ask how you’re doing and whether you have a treatment plan in place yet? Hoping you’re coping (sorry for the bad rhyme)...hugs

Rondeezee

Hi Egads007,

Thank you for checking on me. Hope you are well. No treatment plan in place as yet as I have an appointment with my breast surgeon on April 19. I am doing well and have had a lot of time to research and become educated on my condition. After diagnosis, I obtained a copy of my biopsy pathology report and an immediate sense of calmness came over me because I began to feel like I wasn't in the dark any more. While no one wants to be diagnosed with BC, when you know what is before you you gain a sense of being in control. I spoke with my BC nurse navigator today and she is fantastic. She is a BC survivor of 2 years and has been treated by my same medical team. What a coincidence! She's had nothing but rave reviews about her surgery and reconstruction. She really brought ray of sunshine to my day 😊. Not sure if chemo is in my plan but I am a little afraid of that. I did not have it with my first BC and I hear that chemo drugs have evolved. At any rate, I am ready to throw the kitchen sink at my BC and hope it's never returns!

Prairiedog

RhondaJ, I'm still waiting for my biopsy report, but in my heart I know it will not be benign. I saw the spot on the cone down mammo and wondered about the spidery lines coming from the spot. I got my records this morning so I could read and study them. I found out that my tumor has spiculated margins, not a good sign. This matches my gut level feeling that I have a recurrence of my 19 year old cancer. ILC is more apt to be bilateral than other cancers. But my tumor is 1 cm which is a very good thing. Somehow I am at peace with this. I think the fact that I have information and knowledge helps me. BTW, when I headed out to get my records it was quite an adventure finding the hospital records department. It is buried in the basement. I wonder how many people actually get their records or even want them? The gal behind the desk looked glad to see a person she could actually help!

Rondeezee

Hi Prairiedog,

Seems like it take path reports forever to come back. I have access to my electronic health records and I could see that the report was pending and I kept waiting for it to post. Well my doctor called me with the news before the report posted. The fear of not knowing what kind of cancer it is is nerve wrecking to say the least. This was the first, of 20 years, that I had ever been called back for a repeat mammogram and ultrasound. Mammograms completely failed me. I reviewed my ultrasound report and learned that my tumor margins are angular. Yours are spiculated, which in most instances, appear to be BC on imaging studies. I've learned so much more than I knew back in 1996 with my first bought of BC. Tumor histology is of utmost importance followed by nodal involvement. My IDC has papillary features, ER/PR+, Grade 2, Mitotic 1, and Ki67 of less than 10%. HER2 status is pending FISH but papillary BC is usually HER2-. All indications lead me to believe that it is slow growing. My ultrasound and MRI have revealed no suspicious nodes so I am keeping my fingers crossed for no nodal involvement upon surgical excision. Continuous prayers for you and b9 results. Hugs❤️

Egads007

Hey Rhonda, glad to see you post, and that you seem to be at a calm place with the diagnosis. The worried waiting is so awful. I too felt so much better knowing after my original diagnosis...kind of like “ok, moving forward, have a job to do”. It’s so nice that you like your NP...mine is such a great comfort, cares so much. She called me right after I got my last result and she was as excited as I was that it turned out clear. Gotta’ love her! It also sounds like you have a great medical team happening, that’s so important, and comforting. Please let us know how your appointment goes on April 19, or any other news in between. Hugs & positives!!

Prairiedog, I’m sending positive vibes your way too for benign results. I’m sorry for the awful waiting you’re going through...it really stinks! Keep us posted please

Prairiedog

I met with a surgeon Friday. My diagnosis is ILC as I suspected. But the grade is 1 and the tumor size is small so I am quite optimistic. I have an appointment for genetic testing on Wednesday. I was sort of surprised at this recommendation but the surgeon said that since this was a second cancer of the same type and my previous cancer was HER2+ that this would be beneficial. I am pretty certain that I do not have the BRAC genes, but they look at many other genes in this testing. I also asked for an mRI since lobular cancer sometimes hides and I was concerned as to whether the other breast where I had the previous cancer was clear of LCIS. I think I was worried for nothing, but better sure than sorry... My main decision point now is lumpectomy or mastectomy and I want all of the information I can get.

Like you, RhondaJ, I am fascinated by the advances that have occurred in the last two decades. Trying to remove oneself from the emotional part of a cancer diagnosis and looking at this from an intellectual point of view seems to be helpful.

Sending positive vibes your way...

Ozarkgirl

I had my MRI guided biopsy today -- they removed 12 core samples. Now the wait starts again -- I'm supposed to receive results on Thursday at 2pm. It's only 2 days but seems like forever!! LOL

Egads007

Ozarkgirl, oh the wait is awful and I really feel for you! How did you find the biopsy? I had one done after my initial core biopsy and during my staging when they thought they saw another shadow. It was so much more painful than the core so I hope your doing ok tonight! My fingers are crossed for good results on Thursday and sending many positives your way!

Ozarkgirl

Egads007 -- except for the fact of being on my stomach for so long it was better than my US guided core biopsy last year. The first 9 samples I didn't really feel but the last 3 were a little more painful. Also when they rinsed the area afterwards with saline it really burned. Tonight I am sore but I don't know if it's because of the binding or the incision site -- LOL

So when they did yours what did they find? On the intial MRI they saw an irregular ahapped lesion that showed enhancement and washout kinetics. I'm not too worried though but still hate waiting LOL

Egads007

Ozarkgirl - they found nothing...the ‘shadow’ showed during the US core (I’m dense...breasts and head lol) so they sent me off to a MRI guided a week after the core..yeah I needed that like I needed a hole my head. All was good, no malignant findings but MAN did that one hurt. I don’t remember saline after..maybe they forgot it and glad if they did lol! I do remember the doc having trouble getting it done, perhaps that’s why it was so painful. Glad to hear your experience wasn’t too bad, take it easy for a few days...you deserve the rest! Hoping the best for you

americanmut

I love the ryhme!

Egads007

I love your profile pic!!! LOL

Hopeful86

Hi. My name is Joy and I'm 31 years old. I've had clear nipple discharge in both breasts which turned brown (tested positive for blood) in the left breast only for a couple of months now. Finally went to see my doctor and after tests, found I hadn't elevated prolactin. Also sent me for mammogram (showed nothing - extremely dense breasts) and Ultrasound which showed a well circumscribed 6mm mass adjacent to a dilated duct along with multiple cysts in both breasts. BIRADS 4.The radiologist recommended bilateral breast MRI, brain MRI and a biopsy of the mass. I'm scheduled for the brain MRI for May 2nd but they want to wait until day 5-14 of my period for the breast MRI.

The radiologist also said I could have the biopsy before but he would recommend I wait until after the MRI to be sure I don't have to have a second biopsy if the MRI should pick up something else because of the bloody nipple discharge. I'm so confused and don't know what to do. I'd really like some advice and support. I have no family history of any cancer.

Egads007

Hi Hopeful (Joy), knowing not what to do, scared and anxious is totally understandable in your situation. My heart goes out to you. Please know that you’re already doing something simply by going for your tests...they are not fun. The unfortunate thing is the waiting, and I’ll speak for many others by saying that the waiting and wondering is THE hardest part of the whole process. I handled chemo better than waiting! Bi-rads 4 does not automatically sentence you to a cancer diagnosis, only the pathology can do that so hang on tight before assuming the worst. Try to keep busy doing everything you love and be selfish with your time right now. Lean on friends and family...and of course all of the members here on the boards. We’re all hoping for a great outcome for you! You could also make a thread of your own that may get more replies & support. Please let us know how it goes, sending positives your way! Hugs