Second Opinion with BC Surgeon May 2nd

Lboquist

Hi Everyone,

This is my second time posting in this forum - I am so thankful for the support that everyone offers. Also, I really think writing all this down helps to ease some of the anxiety. It really is the most anxiety and fear inducing position to be put in.

I had a mammogram in January, was called back for an ultrasound in February and had a vacuum assisted core biopsy on a 12 mm (1.2cm) mass in my right breast in the middle of February. The results of the biopsy were benign. 3 weeks later, now March, I got a call from my doctor saying that the radiologist did not agree with the pathology (officially he stated the findings were discordant with the imaging) and was recommending an excisional biopsy - doctor told me it was up to me if I wanted to do that or I could wait and have another mammogram in 6 months. I thought the whole thing was super messed up ( I thought I was fine after the benign findings and had gotten on with life) and I have lost all faith in my care team and hospital. I live in a really rural area so health care is just always an issue here. I decided (after a lot of back and forth, I really just wanted to be done with the whole situation) that I would call the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and get a second opinion from there. What a difference! I got an appointment right away, for this Thursday, and I am meeting with a Breast Surgeon. The person I spoke with requested all my images, tests, and gene testing (my results came back negative even thought I have a lot of family members who have had breast cancer-even my dad) while I was on the phone with her! I almost started crying it was just so nice to have someone listen to me and care about the situation.

I know that the Breast Surgeon requested that my pathology from my biopsy be rerun at their hospital because I got the bill yesterday (no results yet) so that is a good thing. I am not sure what to expect from my appointment on Thursday - if she will require more testing, agree with the findings of the radiologist and recommend the excisional biopsy, or request an MRI. It seems like a lot of people in my situation are sent for an MRI at this point, before any more surgery is done -but maybe it is obvious that the tumor needs to be removed.

All of that is to say that I don't feel nearly as scared as I did the first time around. I am not sure if it is because I just don't have any more worry left in me, or if I have more faith in the doctors this time. Whatever it is I will take it. The nerves might hit tomorrow as we are traveling to Seattle for the appointment which is at 8:30 on Thursday morning and it is a 5 hour drive from where we live. I want to believe that I am not as scared because the initial findings were benign (no abnormal cells, or ADH, nothing suspicious at all!!!) and so I have hope that whatever is discovered is also benign, if surgery is done.

Thanks for a space to get out all of these thoughts. I am standing in solidarity with all of these women (and men!) who are going through this right now. It is just the most surreal experience.

Georgia1

Thank you for posting and you will be in my thoughts. Hang in there and keep in touch.

Lula73

I know it’s confusing and scary when that happens. I have had it happen too with a spot on my liver. Kudos to that radiologist for following up on your case after the biopsy and speaking up that the biopsy results don’t match. He is really on his game. It is possible to get a benign biopsy report and still have a malignancy. It all has to do with whether the sample that was taken was spot on or not. I hope you find it’s all benign in the end and glad you’re getting a second opinion as well.