Biopsy friday 5/18

Staylynn

I am 34 yrs young. I found a lump after noticing my breast cave in when I lifted my hands over my head about 2 weeks ago. My mother had breast cancer so I am very good about breast self exams, and have yearly mammograms. I also have very dense breast tissue, so normally get called back for further imaging. I initially made an appointment with my PCP and was told to wait a month and come back, I refused to wait so made an appointment with GYN. They immediately sent me for mammo and ultrasound. I sat waiting for the radiologist to come in after both test were completed thinking the absolute worst. The radiologist and the ultrasound tech came in and the only words i remember were "I'm sorry but I don't have good news.The findings from the mammogram and the ultrasound are highly suspicious of cancer." I looked over at the ultrasound tech who I noticed was crying, Yup I heard him correctly. I was completely numb, I cried as I sat and made appointments to meet with the breast surgeon and for a biopsy. I got the results and they stated "BI-RAD5: highly suggestive of malignancy overall." The wait is agonizing. I try to distract myself with my little boy but at night I can not sleep and my mind is running wild. I think the worst thing is I am a RN so have been researching as nurses do, no this is not my area of specialty and I need to step to the patient role not the nurse role, but not sure how to do this.

Egads007

Hi Staylynn,

The waiting, wondering and dark thoughts are so crushing. I’ve been there myself a few times, so my heart goes out to you. On the postive side your age is a good factor in all this. Also bi-rad5 is not a diagnosis yet. I’ve seen 3 members in the last month declared benign after biopsy with a 5 rating. It’s not over until the path is in, try to keep that in mind while going through the process. Bi-rad 5 isn’t what we ever want to hear, so your fears are reasonable. As an RN it’s probably even more difficult as your knowledge and experience doesn’t give you the ‘ignorance is bliss’ edge. If this doesn’t go your way please know it isn’t a death sentence. You have so many options available. We do and can go forward to live long happy lives as so many here can testify to. You still have to keep the faith while waiting on this rollercoaster that only the path tells the whole story. The support you will find here is unparalleled, we all have your back and are here to carry you through. Post when it gets overwhelming and try to keep as busy as you can, it helps.Please keep us posted! Hugs!

Staylynn

Thank you so much for your post. I'm trying to stay busy and positive. Headed to work tonight tto keep my mind off of the wait. I will keep you posted and again Thank you.

momto3sons

Sending prayers and good thoughts your way! I'm hoping you get your results very soon!

nohistory

I'm right there with you. I am scheduled for my biopsy today at 1:15. My radiologist after doing my sono said she was pretty sure it is cancer. I have no family history of BC and never thought I would be on a site like this. I keep reading to see how often the radiologist is wrong, but it seems they are quite often right. Although I've cried and I'm scared, I mostly hope I can keep it away from my kids right now. They are not as young and both have finals coming up in the next couple of weeks. I'm afraid that a summer that was supposed to be filled with looking at colleges and senior overalls won't happen. I'm afraid of the experiences I may miss over the next year. I wonder about the next steps and choosing the right doctors and the best facility. I worry about asking the right questions and getting enough information.

Prayers to anyone dealing with this right now.

Jeri64

Prayers to you nohistory. This is the hardest thing to go through. Try to stay positive and busy. I'm hoping and praying for a good outcome for you.

EveryTime

I am thinking of both you and hoping for the best possible result from your biopsies. There are many possibilities!

p.s., I can't believe an ultrasound tech was crying...not helpful, IMO.

Staylynn

So wanted to update this far, this morning I saw the Breast Surgeon and after looking over everything she said it's highly likely this is cancer. SHe said there is a possibility it is something else that I don't remember the name of, something necrosis something something. Honestly after she said highly likely cancer I think my brain shut down. I go for the biopsy tomorrow, and results at the earliest of Monday but most likely Tuesday. I'm trying to keep my mind off of this but easier said than done. I have a great support system, thanks for that.

NoHistory I am thinking about you as well. Stay positive!!! We've got this. Either way everyone on this site has been so helpful and I thank you all.

Oneof7

I am sorry to hear of the high levels of stress. I was diagnosed last week. Have appointment with breast surgeon tomorrow to decide whether to do lumpectomy or mastectomy. Sleep is so important. Perhaps you can ask your doctor if they have something that could help relieve the anxiety. The waiting in truly unbearable. As an RN you may be aware that the advances for breast cancer offer so much hope for all of us. Best of luck.

Staylynn

The wait is the most agonizing. I haven't been able to sleep much, but i work the night shift so sleep is normally difficult for me. I'm trying to stay as positive as possible and I know this isn't a death sentence. I know there are many that have and will overcome this obstacle, and I will do whatever is necessary, the waiting is just awful.

Oneof7 I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but you've got this. The support that we receive here is amazing. I am sending positive vibes your way and a huge ((HUG))!!!!! Please keep us posted on your journey.

Egads007

Staylynn- was it fat necrosis the doc mentioned?

The waiting is THE WORST thing in the whole process, worse than the diagnosis for me. Life can seem to stand still. I allowed myself at least one hour a day where I forced myself to not think and do something productive or relaxing. I felt I deserved at least an hour...and some wine or ice cream WITH sprinkles! Get the Netflix rolling and marathon watch something you like. If it’s really bad, talk to your doc about something medical for the anxiety, no need to suffer if it’s overwhelming. I’ll be crossing fingers and toes for a smooth biopsy and benign results. We’ll try to get you through the weekend.Big virtual hug!

Frenchiegal83

Hi Staylynn,

As an RN (my second career, just finished school and residency and working in the ICU) who is also 34 years young & a mom of two, I just wanted to say I'm thinking about you. I've been getting bi-annual breast MRIs for the past few years to keep an eye on some masses/lumps as well as I've been having random milky discharge to pink discharge with no manipulation to the breast from the right breast for the past year. I received a phone call this afternoon while I was at my son's spring concert from my breast center person that there are 3 different areas they want me to come in and get biopsied through ultrasound ASAP. One area is deep in the tissue behind my nipple and they're concerned they may not even be able to get access to it even with the ultrasound and it's not accessible through the MRI because it's so deep (Idk why they can't? If you can see it on the MRI why can't we just use it as a guide and get that needle in there am I right?! and the other two I couldn't quite remember where or what she said about them b/c it all got fuzzy after hearing the first part. I"m hoping that you get some type of results or feedback sooner rather than later after your biopsy tomorrow. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!

Jess

Staylynn

Jess, thinking of you as well. This is the hardest part is the waiting. And as you know as an RN we are wired to research to better take care of our patients, but as the patient it isn't always the best to do all the research until we have all the info. I'm finding that the hardest part, switching roles from nurse to patient. We are the ones that take care of others, and stay strong for others. I've tried to remain strong, had my break downs trust me, but as the rock for my family I find myself comforting my family that is having a hard time digesting the new this far?!?! I know that this is a rollercoaster ride and I'm buckled in for the trip. I hope you also get answers soon, and the biopsies goes well. That does seem weird if they can see it on MRI, why they can 't reach it for biopsy, but as an L&D nurse I don't deal with any of this much. Sending positive vibes and a big hug your way! Getting ready to leave in a few for my biopsy, wish me luck!

Stacey

Frenchiegal83

How are you doing today Staylynn? What about you nohistory? Yes it's so hard to turn off the RN role and turn on the patient role, and I'm definitely struggling with it today. The scheduling department called today and scheduled my ultrasound for Monday. I asked about preparing for the biopsy and she said she didn't know anything about a biopsy. I told her that they want to do an ultrasound guided biopsy b/c the area they want to biopsy is so deep and she said she didn't see that in the request and wanted to know if I had taken a biopsy class yet. (I'm thinking wtf do I need to take a class for, I'm not poking myself with the damn needle!) but I was nice and just said I'd call the NP to see what was going on. So waiting for them to call me back. I'm terrible with waiting so I'm eating my feelings in ice cream and watching TV to try to stay distracted. Hope you guys are doing ok and I'm so thankful for this website and all the support that comes with it

Staylynn

I'm doing ok. Biopsy done didn't have much discomfort during but getting pretty sore now. Biopsy was done this morning I think since it was on the bottom of my breast and they are large the gravity and weight isn't being my friend. I'm trying to wear a comfy bra but no bra seems comfy at this point. It's a beautiful day so my kiddo wants to be outside so sitting with an ice pack and letting him be a normal 7 year old for as long as we can. They said results next week so I will let you all know. THanks again to everyone.

Staylynn

Jess, A biopsy class? Never heard of such a thing. Hope you get some answers soon. I will be thinking about you!

nohistory

I bruised quite a bit from my biopsy. Apparently I have dense breast tissue and it was hard to get through. The biopsy was more uncomfortable than I anticipated, but little pain the next day. They said I should have my results this past Fri. I called and they said they were there but waiting to be interpreted by the radiologist. They said for sure they would call me back on Fri. Sadly they didn't. Waiting...

Staylynn

NoHistory I'm so sorry your wait is longer than anticipated, the weekend was brutal. I am also quite bruised. I'm crossing my fingers that you hear good news today. Keep us posted. I should have my results tomorrow. My thoughts are with you! ((((HUGS))))

nohistory

Staylynn, I just got my results: stage one invasive ductal carcinoma. In the grand scheme of things, the diagnosis is much better than it could have been. I am in the process of picking a surgeon. I have 2 that were recommended and I am thinking of seeing both. I accepted that I had cancer 2 weeks ago when the radiologist did my sono and said that was what she thought. Today didn't feel like much of a shock. Having the results is better and makes me feel like I can start to move on. I hated this last 2 weeks of feeling like my life was frozen. Good luck to you! I'm thinking of you!

Staylynn

So got my results last night and IDC it i. I also kind of knew when this all started what the end result was going to be, but I don't think you ever really prepare yourself to hear those words. I am now back in the waiting phase, breast MRI 5/29 and breast surgeon consultation 5/31. I just want to know the plan and to move ahead and I feel like I'm back in the holding pattern. Thanks for all the support.

Tresjoli2

Oh staylynn..I was hoping for better news for you. this is the hardest part. Praying for claroty for you soon...

Cindymb

Hello ladies,

I have been reading posts and feel that sharing with you all may help me. I have so much respect for all of you. I am 52 yrs old and just received a 3d mammogram and ultrasound after finding a large lump at the top of my breast a week ago. The radiologist said she was very concerned, definitely wasn't a cyst and something about the edges not being smooth like a benign fibroid type mass would be. I honestly feel like it was a blur and can hardly remember all she said to be honest. I've been a mess. I don't want to tell my two adult daughters, 1 of them only has 5 weeks until her due date. I couldn't get a biopsy for another week. I think I'm going insane. I know this sounds horrific but I wish I could just cut my breast off...

Cindymb

I will be praying for you. Please keep in touch.

Cindymb

praying for you.

Staylynn

Cindymb the waiting is the worst part, and its not horrific Ive had the same thoughts. I wish I could just cut them off and be done with it. I will be thinking about you and sending positive vibes your way.

Cindymb

thanks so much Staylynn, you also

hollywood1968

Thursday may 18, had a mammogram after feeling lump in right breast. After a couple of pics the girl doing the mammo left the room. Girl comes back and says I showed the dr your mammogram and he wants you to go down the hall for a ultrasound. New girl does US

says she needs to make sure DR received results, leaves the room and then 30 seconds later comes back with a Dr I don't know. He turns the US machine back on and shows me a place and says that is microcalcifications and you have breast cancer. I am having a US guided biopsy tomorrow. My ob/gyn and the surgical oncologist doing the procedure tomorrow says the radiologist/doctor cannot know for sure without pathology report being done. I am so scared. My mom died of Ovarian cancer in 2011, her grandmother died of breast cancer. I am 49 and not ready for this

Staylynn

I'm back to freaking out! I was scheduled for breast MRI 5/29 and breast surgeon 5/31, just got a message from the breast surgeon that she wants to see me tomorrow at noon. I'm relieved I don't have to wait until next week but that can't be good if she's calling me in to see me on her lunch break. And i was looking back through the US the mass measured 0.7x1.1x1.1 on the first ultrasound, and 2 weeks later at biopsy was 2.1x1.1x1.1. Kind of freaking out.

Staylynn

Hollywood, slow deep breathes. Take one step at a time. We are here for you

Cindymb

Staylynn, It could be that the surgeon had a change in their schedule. I know it's not easy but try not to worry. I will pray for you and that you will be able to get a good night sleep. *hugs

Cindymb

Hollywood, I'm pretty sure the Radiologist isn't able to diagnose based on the mammogram and US alone. I'm so sorry, I know how difficult it is waiting. Try not to worry. I know how torturing this all is. I hate that we are all going through this.