Really concerned

Fairchild

I'm trying to get well, but I'm really concerned.

I was diagnosed with pleomorphic lobular CA (HER2+), invasive lobular, and invasive ductal CA, stage 2A, a year ago. I had BMX and chemo, and I'm in the process of my Perjeta & Herceptin treatment now. I'm back at work and trying to get focused on rebuilding my life.

But the last couple of weeks have been so stressful! First I found a lump in my armpit. An ultrasound suggested that it's just scar tissue, but the radiologist (who is really careful) wants me back in 3 months for a repeat scan, and my ONC wants a biopsy then.

And then 2 weeks ago I slipped and fell, hitting my head so hard that I was knocked out and lost some memory around the time of the fall. My ONC wanted me to have a CT just to make sure my brain isn't bleeding, so I had the scan a week ago. No word from my oncologist about the results, which is really unusual for him. So a couple of days ago I checked the online portal to medical records and discovered that the CT report was posted. (Usually the doctor contacts the pt to go over findings first.) It said I don't have a bleed, which is good. But then it goes on to say:

"More focal low-attenuation within the right frontal lobe high convexity anteriorly. There is suggestion of some remodeling of the cortex, and this may be an arachnoid cyst."

I know that arachnoid cysts are benign, but they are also usually congenital. I have had a couple of CTs/MRIs of the brain before (due to various accidents) that were completely normal, so this thing is clearly not congenital.

I've messaged my ONC, but didn't hear anything from him, which is really unusual. Then called today and spoke to the NP. I asked if I shouldn't worry about it b/c it didn't sound like it was related to breast cancer. He said NO-- that it wasn't necessarily unrelated, and instead I should follow-up with an MRI to identify what's wrong more clearly. He was working on scheduling it.

Now I'm really worried. Between the 2 episodes, all in the last couple of weeks, I feel like I just can't outrun the CA. I still kind of doubt this is anything terribly wrong, but the sense that I need to be attending to these things, the endless doctors' appointments, and the sense of vulnerability are just driving me crazy.

Does anyone know how common my experiences are???? Did you have to go through all this testing, too? How likely is it that this thing is a metastasis? How are mets found in the brain? Any information would be great, b/c it's the not knowing and waiting that are driving me crazy! Many thanks!