What just happened.. From routine Mamo. Results to a surgeon

Taralynn8869

Confused. ..on a comparison mammogram from last year where something was seen. ( a swollen lump and something else) but all further testing was postponed when my doctor broke both his feet and his fingers and became so high on pain meds I no longer felt comfortable with him treating me . he led me to believe it wasn't a big deal since no test were actually ordered after the breast ultrasound following the mammogram that showed cyst on the left breast in a cluster and a swollen lymph in the right which I never recieved results for, but no news is good news right. So why look for the worse like he said from the beginning. A year later on a comparison mammogram,( new doctor) I recieved a call back in and was told they saw subareolar focal asymmetry. And something about inversion nipple on right breast.. My doctor said she takes this very seriously, and said she wouldnt even waste the time ordering more test she was sending me straight to a breast surgeon 2 hours away...( I also had complete labs and all was good except I'm vitamin d defecient. My cbc would be off if something was wrong, right? )The surgeon called today to make the apt for 2 weeks from now... So I had a mini break down at the word surgeon and her reaction. Then I pulled my big girl panties up and said I'm not dealing with this today. I'm not driving myself crazy for 2 weeks.. Idk if I shoud be concerned or not.. I sat my oldest daughter and best friend down to tell them but what am I telling them?? Idk whats going on. Any help?? Should I be go concerned. Or is this something I can handle on my own without worrying family...

gb2115

Sorry you have found yourself here but welcome!! Seeing a specialist sounds like a good idea and they will probably do a biopsy. You won't get any satisfying answers until they do that because the only way to rule out cancer is a biopsy.

It's hard but try to stay busy to distract yourself during the upcoming two weeks!

Georgia1

Taralynn, I'm going to be bossy and suggest that you call and get copies of the reports accompanying both mammograms and the old ultrasound ASAP. Right now you have very little information and you will need it to get back in control and make good decisions. Those reports should tell you exactly what you're dealing with and should also have a BIRADS rating to tell you how serious (or not) the findings are. Until then there's nothing really to tell your family.

Lots of smart women are here to help you interpret the reports so just let us know what you find out and what you need. If cancer is indicated (and gb 2115 is right that only a biopsy will tell you that for sure), you can beat it as many of us have. But right now it's hard to tell what's going on.

All best wishes.

momand2kids

Hi

you don't have enough info-- do get the copies and start your own medical file....

alot of us waited until we had more information before we told alot of people-- for now you could say they found something unusual but we don't know what it is.... 80% of breast lumps are negative for breast cancer.....

The waiting is the most difficult part. Call the surgeon's office and see if they have a cancellation list---get on it--- that might move the appointment up so you don't have to wait 2 weeks, but know that 2 weeks is a fairly normal wait to get into see a bc surgeon.

I would suggest a notebook or a voice recorder to take with you to the appointment so you can focus on what the surgeon says.

In the meantime, if you are really anxious, ask your doc for a little ativan-- really takes the edge of waiting....

Good luck

Taralynn8869

thanks for the info..I will be proactive and get my reports. I just dont want to get cunfused and scared with definitions and words i have to look up 3 root words to understand. Lol..I also dont want to worry myself by completely slipping into thoughts about this and stop living life and start making plans around something I have no idea what it is about...I try to remember everything the primary doctor said but its a blur after She said some findings on the bottom side of the nipple area.. But i wasn't taking it to serious at the time because she didnt seem fully informed that it was a comparison mammogram and was not aware I had a previous u/s... But then she seemed more concerned after I informed her and she looked back at her report and said oh yes.. Well that confirms u need to be seen by a breast surgeon😞.. So Idk.. Reading her reaction was more scary than what I was understanding in what she said.. And in my head I was saying. This isnt real. Dont cry. This isnt real... And I left more confused than when I got the call to come in...

Egads007

Taralynn, all great suggestions already posted here and I agree with them. I still wouldn't get myself twisted up too far from your original post. You can't let it rule you. It sounds like you're in very good and capable hands with your new doc. She's doing the right thing by sending you to the surgeon, and her concern is a good thing. Erring on the side of caution is always wise and that's exactly what she's doing. The stats are still on your side, even if the upcoming appointment makes you think otherwise. The appointment does not change the stats. As for approaching your friends and family, do what you need. You shouldn't have to wait alone if you don't want too.If you need their support then ask for it. I'm sure they'll be glad to be there for you. We're here for you too. Keep yourself busy and those big girls panties pulled up if you can. At this point you're still in good with the stats, let them comfort you.

Edited to say: out of the tons of replies I’ve given on this board only 3 members ended their wait witha cancer diagnosis. Yup!

Taralynn8869

that is exactly what I'm gonna do... Whenever u get that call back and the doctor suddenly sounds concerned and empathetic, u automatically hear nothing else but " get ur affairs in order ASAP" and ur doomed... But I decided tgia was not gonna determine stress affected heath and well being. Im alive today and noone is promised tomorrow.. Ive survived thibgs before some didn't..I did opt on telling just a few close girls of mine and my oldest daughter and simce we have to go to. Big city 2 hours away for the surgeons apt, we are all just gonna call it a girls day and live it up away from this small town we live in for a day.. Maybe get a room and a motel for the night and just be girls.

Egads007

Tara - that’s perfect!! Your attitude alone is going to see you through this...way to go! Enjoy and let us know how much fun you have