Having to wait over a week for biopsy

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...

Georgia1

Oh Cindy, I'm so sorry. We have all felt that fear and that anger. All i can really say is that you are doing all the right things. Don't tell your daughters until you know something for sure. Get the biopsy, as horrible as the waiting is. And try to distract yourself with the new grandbaby, the nice weather, and anything else that you enjoy. Taking it one step at a time, realistically but optimistically, is all I can advise at this early stage.

All best wishes to you and come back anytime. [[HUGS]]

Cindymb

Thank you so much for your kind words Georgia. I know I will be coming back here often. The support by people like yourself will help me while I'm having crazy thoughts and bad nights. I plan on trying to help others once the worse is over.

ElaineTherese

Hi Cindy!

You could ask to be on the cancellation list at the medical center where you're biopsy is to be performed. That is, if anyone cancels, you'd like to have a shot at that slot. It IS difficult to wait, but keep busy if you can.

I didn't tell my family about my situation until after I had a plan. I figured there was no reason to worry them until absolutely necessary. ((Hugs))

Cindymb

Thank you ElaineTherese. I will do that.

Luckynumber47

Cindy, I know exactly what you're going through. I had that "concerning" mammo and ultrasound 3 days before we left for my daughter's (1 1/2 weeks before her due date after a very difficult pregnancy). My biopsy was set for my first day back home, 3 weeks after the ultrasound. I didn't want to worry my daughter so I didn't tell her (and therefore any of my adult children) until after my surgery, about a month after the baby was born. I know they would have wanted to be there for the surgery but it was nice only having to worry about myself and not having to be "mom"

I coped with the stress of waiting by keeping busy, trying to get the daughter's house ready for the new baby. I painted several rooms for her and scrubbed everything that didn't move. I worried so much at night that I basically only slept every other night. Somehow I got through it and you will too! Whatever you are imagining is way worse than what reality will be. Take someone with you to all appointments so they can take notes. You'll forget most of what the dr's tell you.

Hoping for the best possible results from your biopsy.

Lucky

Egads007

Cindy - oh the wait is the worst! We all sympathize and know exactly where you’re at. I am concerned that you have someone to talk to (besides us of course)....a good friend or relative that would keep things under wrap and be there for you? A ‘vent pal’ is important. Also try to keep the stats in mind, the vast majority of findings (80%) are benign! Keep as busy as you can during the wait (my house was almost operating room sterile and I was tempted to wax my driveway to occupy my mind). Stay off google, it’s only going to drive you batty. All you’ll find is bad stuff. If you just have to, search ‘benign breast conditions’. Get Netflix rolling, drag out the ice cream and steer your mind away from the dark side. Post here if it’s overwhelming, we’ve got your back. Keep us posted please

MiCyn

Hi Cindymb,

I feel for you.Waiting can be maddening! I also wanted to take it out myself, and told every Dr I saw just that ! I'm betting they've heard that before ! I decided to wait and tell my two adult daughters AFTER surgery results.The reason being, I didn't want to jump the gun.. I was told by every Dr I saw that nothing is 100% until after surgery, and results come in, even though the core biopsy dx me! My daughters knew I was having surgery, but I down played it. My lumpectomy was this morning, hoping to get results back on Fri .. That is when I will be totally upfront with them, about everything..Hang in there! And again, 80 % are benign..don't be reading all the scary stuff either.. I started to the day after core biopsy but had to stop..My mind had me preparing my bucket list ! My husband thought I had gone mad.. I am in a really good place now ..you will be too ! 🤗Cyn

Cindymb

Thank you so much everyone ❤

Cindymb

I've had such a bad day. I keep thinking of my kids and grandkids. I must have broken down 4 times at work today. I'm still waiting for the biopsy appt. What will I do when the report comes back as cancer if I'm such a mess already. Sorry, it helps a little to vent.

Lea7777

Wishing yout good results, Cindymb. I know what you are going through.

In addition to venting here, vent to the scheduler or nurse navigator. It can't hurt. Go ahead and cry on the phone. I did when my biopsy was scheduled 3 weeks out. That got it changed to a week.

I read where cortisol stress levels of women waiting for the biopsy and the results were as high or higher than those of women diagnosed with cancer. If the report does come back as cancer there are still treatments and procedures to have you back to your normal life again. But odds are with you that it is not cancer.

Can you ask for your "birads" of your mammogram, which may shed some light on how serious the radiologist feels the abnormality is? The Birads scale is 0-6, with 6 meaning cancer has been diagnosed already and the mammogram is just checking location, etc. Birads 3 often means they want to see you again in less than than a year. Birads 4 averages about a 20-30% chance of cancer and means a biopsy is needed. My Birads 5, which was biopsied, turned out not to be cancer, just high risk cellular structure.

Is this your first 3-D? Sometimes they pick up stuff that the 2-Ds had not. The problem spot could have always been there as part of your anatomy but the 3-D is much more sensitive. That's what the radiologist told me.

A few anecdotes:

-My sister-in-law (age 79 now) had a lumpectomy and radiation 15 years ago for breast cancer. She said the drive to the hospital for radiation took longer than the radiation part, no big deal.

-My dear mother-in-law had breast cancer and a mastectomy of one breast and lived many more years to age 82, dying of other causes.

-My neighbor has had two bouts of breast cancer around 20 years apart, radiation both times; she is mid-80s.

-Both my massage therapist and her sister (mid-50s each) are 15-20 year survivors, the sister is a 2x bc survivor.

-I just talked with an 80-year old who had a mastectomy of the left breast several months ago with an implant. (She went through chemo for the other breast 18 years ago.) She stayed one night in the hospital and then took 2 city buses home the next day, transferring between them!!! She said she felt fine and had no pain or problems riding the bus. Even so, I cannot imagine that is recommended.

-Where I used to work, one of the departments must have had asbestos or some carcinogen because about 25% of the women (ages 25-65) all got breast cancer with one case of bladder cancer (and men got testicular-age 30 and prostate-age 55 ). The treatment for the women varied from chemo to far less, but they all are fine today, 10-15 years later, except the 65 year old who died in her late 70s from what I don't know. That department and the building were tested and found to be fine. Just bad luck we were told. Hmmm.

Good luck to you Cindymb and to you MiCyn.

Cindymb

Thank you Lea7777 for sharing all of that information. I am calling each day to see if any earlier appointments become available for the biopsy. My mind is going crazy between thinking everything will be ok to worse scenario.

Cindymb

MiCyn, thinking and praying for you.

mustlovepoodles

Cindy, you're on the worst place right now. Most of us find the waiting hellish. Try hard not to let your mind "go there." Grieving something that hasn't happened and may never happen is a waste of energy and time. If it does turn out to be cancer, well, there will be plenty of time to grieve then.

Fingers crossed that its benign for you.

hollywood1968

My biopsy would have been today. That would have been 1 week. Well I have been taking xeralto and apparently due to risk of bleeding the biopsy could not bee done today and must wait until Tuesday. Dr and radiologist performed ultrasound today. Dr says she is just about 100% certain it is cancer. Mass is 5cm but only evidence of 1 lymph node involved. She says it is at least stage 2. Is anyone else have heart palpitations and weird pains? I feel like I am having panic and anxiety attacks. Since my mom died of ovarian cancer they had me do genetic testing, the results will take about 3 weeks. I have 2 grown daughters so thats another worry.

Cindymb

mustlovepoodles, Yes I know you are right. I am trying my best to keep my mind distracted. Thank you for responding. ❤

Oh Hollywood19, I'm so sorry that you need to wait again. Panic and anxiety attacks will definitely cause heart palpitations. I'm sure the fact that you cant talk to your children about all this just makes it even more stressful.

MiCyn

Lea7777,

Thanks for such encouraging post ! I got through lumpectomy just fine.. hoping to have results this Tues. My biggest concern is the radiation, but after reading your post about how well others have done, it helps my mind a bit. I needed to hear something positive! 🤗Cyn

MiCyn

Cindymb,

Do you have a date for your biopsy ? Hope you have been able to enjoy your famIly this Holiday wknd under circumstances..My BS was hoping to have my pathology results this past Friday, before the long wknd, but no such luck. Hang in there! Thanks for the prayers, you're in mine as well 🤗Cyn

Cindymb

MiCyn,

Hi, my biopsy is scheduled for this coming Thursday. Anxiety comes and goes. I continue to pray for you. Thank you. 🤗

Sita26

I’m sorry. I get it! I had an abnormal ultrasound on May 24th and I don’t even get to see the breast surgeon until June 5th. That’s not even biopsy day, just her consulting me prior to a biopsy. I’ve been driving my partner crazy all weekend because of my worries

Cindymb

Hi Sita26,

Are you able to have your physician send an order to have the biopsy done before seeing a breast surgeon? I would call to check just incase. I know this waiting is hell. My stomach is constantly in knots.

In my prayers, Cindy

MiCyn

Sita26,

I agree with Cindy ..I had my core biopsy exactly one week after my dx mammo /US ..48hrs later I had the results,, and was able to get appt w BS quickly...they told me @ BS office that if u have had Biospy and have dx, it takes precedence over those with no dx ...it was the waiting for genetic test results that delayed my surgery by 2weeks.Seems like a lot of waiting for things to get going when I feel like it should be rushed more. But I was assured by BS, RO , and MO that a few weeks will not change anything. In total it was 6weeks from my 1st Dr appt when I found a lump, to surgery.

Good luck, hang in there! 🤗Cyn

MiCyn

Cindymb,

This Thurs can't come fast enough! For me, waiting for Biopsy results was the hardest wait of all, but that may not be the case with you though. Hopefully you will get a radiologist that can give you some insight either way.

You will be in my thoughts & prayers for B9 results that come back quickly, so you can relax & enjoy those grandbabies of yours ! What helped me when I started thinking tooooo much, was keeping busy and not googling, or like others have mentioned, only google Benign Breast conditions. Stay strong! 🤗Cyn

Cindymb

MiCyn,

Thank you for your kindness. I am definitely trying! 🤗

CindyNY

Looks like too many Cindys!

Cindymb- my 2 cents. When my right breast need to be biopsied, I was in a panic - when ? Today?? They gently told me I could wait, that indeed they had appointments a day or 2 out but "those were for those that needed them." I could wait. A week later the biopsy took 3 samples, all turned out negative.

Jump now 3 years later to my left breast. Saw me on a Wednesday for mammo & US. Got me in that Friday for the biopsy. I knew it was cancer by how fast they got me in for the biopsy. Results DCIS and IDC.

My hope for you is like me, they know it can wait. Suspicious but not carcinoma. Best wishes for a B9 outcome.

Cindymb

Thank you CindyNY. 🤗

Cindymb

I am able to see the US report online now. Now I'm obsessing about the words "solid irregular hypoechoic with blood flow". I cant wait until the hell of waiting is over.

Jannyjoslater

Hugs! I too am playing the waiting game. It sucks. Try to stop obsessing about the wording, if you can. Sending positive thoughts coming your way to help you get through the wait.

---

Cindymb

Jannyjoslater, 🤗

Beatmon

Cindy, certainly hope your biopsy proves to be B9. If not, I think you will have been so worried about it that acceptance and planning will be easier for you than this waiting game we are put through. Today and tomorrow make a few casseroles so you don’t have to worry about food if your breast is sore after your biopsy. It will help keep your mind off of the surgery.

It is a scary deal....but remember all breast cancer is not a death sentence. My SIL had breast cancer over 25 years ago with single mastectomy and chemo. She is in great shape and just turned 65. I’ve been metastatic almost 5 years... not great but still up and going.

Maybe you should ask surgeon for a short term anxiety medicine until you get your results back. What type of biopsy are you having

Cindymb

Beatmon,

Taking a sample, not the needle kind. Thank you for your kind words.