Architectural Distortion Call Back - take husband or naw?

406gal

Hey there... I’ve been lurking here since yesterday. But this morning I decided to make an account so I could post. I found this website through a series of web searches while asking Dr. Google to explain my radiology report. (I know, I know... stay away from Dr. Google! 😂)

I’ve read several posts from others with nearly identical situations as mine. But the wait between “the call” and the follow up appointment is killing me. I don’t want to make a big deal to people in my life so I’m choosing to “vent” here. Talking about it has to help, right?

I’m 36. Went in for my first ever screening mammogram last week. I opted to pay the $115 to upgrade from 2D to 3D.

They called me an hour after Inledt but I missed the call. Then the holiday weekend happened. Yesterday they called me to let me know there was an “area of concern” in my right breast. They’d like me to come back for an ultrasound on Friday.

After we hung up it I pulled up MyChart and read the radiology report.

“RADRPT

- MA MAMMOGRAM SCREENING

BILATERAL FIRST EVER DIGITAL SCREENING MAMMOGRAM 3D/2D WITH CAD: 5/23/2018

CLINICAL: Baseline mammogram. Routine screening. Patient has no complaints. Was performed and supplemented with tomosynthesis.

No prior exams were available for comparison.

The tissue of both breasts is extremely dense, which lowers the sensitivity of mammography.

Current study was also evaluated with a Computer Aided Detection (CAD) system. There is possible architectural distortion in the right breast at 11 o'clock middle depth. Finding is seen only on tomography.

No other significant masses, calcifications, or other findings are seen in either breast.

IMPRESSION: INCOMPLETE: NEEDS ADDITIONAL IMAGING EVALUATION

The possible architectural distortion in the right breast is indeterminate. 3D imaging, spot compression, and lateral views as well as a possible ultrasound are recommended.

The patient has been or will be contacted.”

The tech who called me back was so sweet. She reassured me there was probably nothing to worry about. That this “happens often” and it’s just precautionary. So my rational head is pretty convinced I’m fine.

But still, I find myself going to “what if” constantly. (Also, I watched the video posted on this site by the member who created the helpful links... the one on AD sort of makes me nervous actually.)

How do you guys pass the time while waiting? How do you keep from going crazy? Because this waiting is bonkers.

Also, would it be overkill to make my husband take the time off work to go with me? Like, it’s probably nothing... so perhaps I should just go? And save his time off for if there’s something more worrisome later? I guess what I’m asking is... this follow up scan... would you have felt comfortable going alone?

Sorry for rambling. Thank you for reading.

Egads007

Hey 406, the waiting simply sucks. period. The best you can do is keep as busy as possible (my house & driveway get sterilized when waiting).Mindless work/hobbies help to put your concentration back on positives instead of the dark side. It helps somewhat, but I also try yelling at myself (not out loud lol) when my thoughts go bad....shoving it into a locked box in my head. Not giving it any room to grow. Netflix and ice cream is a good way too. Marathon watch and sugar....nice combo. Whatever it takes to put your mind in a better place, roll with it.

Call backs with birads 0 is very common, especially in the case of dense breasts (like looking for a snowflake in a blizzard in some cases). They need to take a good look at what's going on and they are being cautious (which is a good thing). The unfortunate part is that we have the dreaded waiting zone to deal with in between. When you do back for your diagnostic taking your hubby would be a personal choice. I do better alone, I find it stops me from whining my worries at him in the waiting room like a 3 year old. For some people, it's just the opposite. If you're going to a center that hauls you around like cattle and tells you you'll be contacted with results, you might want to go it alone because you're usually in and out quickly. If your center has the rad talk to you after you might want someone there in the event of a problem. 80% of findings are benign, so that's pretty good odds you won't have a prob. Again it's all personal choice.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and sending positives your way for clear results and a calm wait. Keep us posted!

Ingerp

406gal--what Egads said. Busy is good. Mindless TV is good. And remember that time marches on. Friday will get here. The good news is they'll see things immediately. I do most things without hubby (including my chemos) but that's the way I prefer it. And I do focus on the numbers. You have the probability on your side. If you end up a little farther down the road, you can let the bogeyman in a little at that point. But what we learn in yoga classes is not to try to block negative thoughts, but to observe them and let them go through and out of your brain, like a passing train. That imagery has helped me a lot.

Oh and don't believe everything Egads says. I can pretty much guarantee you she has yelled at herself out loud, although probably about the damn housework.

Ingerp

P.S. Are you in Montana? My youngest graduated from U of M a couple of weeks ago. ;-)

Egads007

Damn Ingerp....foiled again!!!!

.....freaking dishes, always getting dirty

Ingerp

<where's the dang like button?>

pupmom

Ingerp and Egads, are U 2 on the "How About Drinking" thread? If not you should be. That's where all the comedians hang out!

mustlovepoodles

Ah, yes. Dr. Google--terrifying women since his inception. The waiting is brutal. All of us have been there and done that. As far as whether your husband should go with you, that depends. I did not have my DH attend any of my imaging procedures. Other women find that it really helps them, so I guess you'll just have to talk it over with him and see what you think.

It is not at all uncommon to get a callback from a mammogram. It may not mean anything at all. They need more films to determine what they are seeing and whether it needs any treatment or just watchful waiting (which is a real thing.) Your age is in your favor, of course. Most call backs find nothing concerning. I imagine your dense breasts are obscuring their vision. Ultrasound is pretty good at seeing through all the density.

So, try to keep your hands busy. Busy hands will keep your mind from perseverating. Try not to Google anymore today. Most of what you'll find there is old stuff or not applicable to your particular situation. It will only scare you half to death.

Egads007

Pupmom - Ingerp and I are actually thinking of teaming up and forming an act....’Egads & Ingerp’ (yes Ingerp, I’m taking front bill in the name!! ) Ingerp does a crazy little soft shoe routine and I can sing God Bless America, while knitting a sweater and riding a unicycle. We’d certainly love to make ‘what about drinking’ our first gig! Watch out for a ingerp though, rumorhas it she can’t hold her liquor!

406gal, sorry for hijacking your post with all this, hope you can get a chuckle out of it!

Ingerp

Egads I take great offense at that. I’m half Viking.

Pupmom heading over to that thread to kick some ass.

Georgia1

Hi there 406gal. I agree with everything that's been said, but to answer your question I don't think you need to take your husband. They won't give you any findings on the spot; you'll have to wait about a week to hear any test results. Then after that, if they can't give you definite good news, you'll get a biopsy. Then wait again before you hear about that. And yes, it's all very maddening!

Wishing you good luck and benign results.

NotVeryBrave

I had a call back for additional views long ago for something that they just needed to look at more closely. The added images were enough to confirm that all was well. I did not take my husband along. I think that I really wasn't that concerned. I was put on the "every 6 months" cycle for a year and then back to annual mammograms without anything else.

When I found the lump and went to the doctor, I was alone. I was sent directly to an imaging center and had no time to get my husband to come from work. In that case - it would have been good to have him along since there was a definite concern that added to my anxiety. He did go to the biopsy with me.

Do what makes you feel most comfortable. It's most likely not necessary for him to come, but if it makes you feel better ...

406gal

Thanks all. I posted this when the anxiety was still high. I was in OMG mode. But then I got absorbed in work and the week flew by.

I did in fact get a good chuckle out of the hijacking... sonall is well there.

We are driving to the appointment now. It’s in a town 90 minutes from where we live. I did end up bringing my husband. But he’s going to meet a client during my appointment. Then we’re going out for date night after. So I guess I took a little bit of everyone’s advice. Thank you all. ❤️

This board is pretty great. You probably get a lot of freaked out posts like mine. I admire how welcoming you are and gentle/good-humored. That’s very helpful.

I’ll update when I know more. Thank you!

406gal

The update is that all went well. They said “everything’s probably fine” but to come back in six months for a repeat mammogram/US. So.... I guess much ado about nothing. But thank you for being kind to me anyway. Wishing you all the best.

Egads007

406 - awesome news and very happy to read, thanks for the update! Also hope date night went well! Let us know how you do in 6 months time.

NotVeryBrave

Yay! Always good to hear good news!