Biopsy scheduled

LM22

Back in Sept I was referred to genetics due to a strong family hx of BC. Ive never really brought it up because, years back, I was told paternal side didnt matter. It came back with several VUS and next thing you know I'm being told Im extremely high risk being a "28" on their scale and I need breast exams every 6m, MRIs every year with mammos added on at 35. The MRI came back clear a few months ago but stated I have extremely dense breasts. Ffwd to two weeks ago and Im doing my self exam and it just doesn't feel the way it usually does on my right side - then I find a little rock like bump. I called my doc but said I'll wait a week and maybe it was hormonal. It didnt go away so I ended up in her office and she felt it as well. She also agreed that the right feels nothing like the left, whatever that means. I went for a mammo and u/s but the radiologist (about 5x) said they couldnt see much because Im so dense and referred me back to the doc. My PCP then referred me back to the breast surgeon I saw several months ago who I guess will handle my breast care (she had been on vaca) and now Im scheduled for a core biopsy in two days. First off Im scared out of my mind. What if its "hiding" or I cant point it out - because everything feels like a lump now? How do they biopsy - its not a big thing sticking out and ultrasound couldnt see anything before? I dont understand... To add insult to injury in all of this I expected my husband to come and the thought didnt even cross his mind. In the 10 years we've been together I dont think I've been more digusted... especially when he knows my cousin was dx at 33 and Im 33 two months from today. Any explanation on the above or words of what to expect would be so greatly appreciated...

Moderators

Hi there, LM22. We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO, and just say that we're so sorry for the worry you're experiencing! We know this is a scary time, but we're glad that your doctors are being proactive and getting right to work trying to figure out what's going on. Best of luck on your biopsy, please keep us posted!

The Mods

Salamandra

Hi LM22,

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.

My understanding is that they have lots of tools to help them biopsy, and ultrasound is only one of them. I hope they have the record of the US not seeing your lump before, and are ready with some other options. I didn't find the biopsy so bad. I went by myself (single), one of the med techs held my hand the whole time, and everyone was really nice.

Sometimes the people who love us most can have surprising blind spots for empathy, especially when they come up against scary things like seeing us vulnerable. I hope that you can have some loving talks with your husband and that he can do some work to use his imagination to practice thinking about things from your perspective and be supportive to you.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things. It can be a hard slog but you and the doctors will figure it out, even if they need to re-schedule for an MRI biopsy or something. If this team has trouble, consider finding a university hospital or cancer center - those doctors have really seen it all. It's an incredibly scary time of unknowns and waiting, but answers *will* come eventually.

Sending supportive thoughts your way!

LM22

Thank you for the reply. Ive been through such a wide array of medical stuff, each of which has tested me, and while I'm scared I cant even say its the worst. The things I went through while pregnant with my son, almost losing my son, and having him in the NICU tested my anxiety more, so I guess this is my workout finisher maybe??? But yes I certainly hope they have another plan if needed because I really dont want to reschedule. I reiterated specifically that mammo and u/s saw nothing and that, on top of it being written in the last MRI report, this radiologist said I'm "extremely dense" about 5x. Lucky 10% of people. Hoping she heard and planned for that. This is a pretty big hospital with (supposedly) a great cancer center but since I'm only about an hour from Boston I've always said I would never NOT utilize them if I were to need any type of serious treatment. We do everything for my son there at Childrens.

I do plan on going alone now and maybe bringing something special and lucky to hold. Will definitely post and update because I'm sure I'll have 100 questions after.

FLFishing49

Hi LM22,

I am scheduled for my biopsy later today so I will let you know how it goes. My husband wanted to go with me but I told him I would do it alone. I just think that if he was there, I would spend all my time worrying about what he is thinking and I really need to concentrate on what is going on. Hopefully there isn't anything there for them to find when you go in for yours and all will go smoothly!!

LM22

Yes keep me posted! Best of luck to you!!

FLFishing49

Hi LM22,

Just got back from my biopsy. They took 3 core samples. It really wasn't that bad, not that I would want to do it everyday. The lidocane was the worst part but not as bad as when the dentist does it. So for me, the tech took me in, and did an ultrasound to find the spot and marked it with a sharpie. (Wonder how long that will be there?) Then the doctor comes in and numbs you up. That happens really fast. I thought it would be like fifteen minutes but it was seconds. They talked to me and we were joking and the tech kept here hand on my arm to comfort me. I did watch the screen the whole time so I can't tell you want the needle looks like. I really didn't want to know that part. Anyways, after they took the samples, they put in a little titanium marker so they can find the spot again. Even if the spot comes back as nothing, they said the marker will show up on future mammograms and they will know they already looked at it. After that, I had to get a mammogram to find the marker and that was it. Whole thing, start to finish was 1 hour. I am back at work and feel fine. My imagination before hand was way worse than it actually was. You will do fine.

Coal1017

Hi I'm having one next week and I don't know if I'm more afraid of the biopsy or the results.