Roller Coaster

Dk11111

I don’t think anyone likes this ride of waiting. I’ve been here reading all of you since early December and my heart and thoughts are with you all no matter what part of the ride you are on.

In early December I went in for my routine mammo, thinking “yuck” but fully believing it would be as it’s always been “all normal”. Let the ride begin.

I was informed there was a suspicious area and I needed to come back for another mammo and an US. Ok starting up that hill of anxiety but still feeling it’s nothing. On the US there’s a decent cyst. Still not concerned. Radiologist brings me in and shows me the little cluster of microcalcs. First dip and heart drop.

I’M a researcher. I know this is most likely nothing serious. The radiologist wants a core biopsy so I’m more anxious about that procedure than the results. I meet with a general surgeon thinking I’m going in for the biopsy that day and “whoop” no we don’t do that here have to send you somewhere else. Grr

I finally make it to the breast specialist, who is wonderful, I’m told that it’s a cyst let’s aspirate and these calcs should “layer”, fluid is right color, no blood cyst deflated, no worries most likely b9 see you in six months. Yay ride over.

Two days later I’m back on the roller coaster. Fluid comes back with atypical cells and lets do a core biopsy. Now the waiting has begun again. I’m at a loss and trying to stay positive. I hope there’s some room left on the ride with you all. I’ll hold your hand if You hold mine.

Moderators

Dear Dk11111,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry that these breast changes have brought you here. We are glad that you reached out. We appreciate your analogy of the roller coaster and we are sure that many members here can identify with that ride. Please keep us posted on what you learn. Let us know if we can help you navigate your way around. We are here for you.

The Mods

blah333

it's strange they didn't want to biopsy the cluster of microcalcifications. Unless you are really young with no family history of breast cancer? I had a cyst at the same time as my DCIS and they ignored it at that moment and went for the microcals (they later showed me my mammogram where the microcalcifications looked like a constellation ugh) Often clusters of microcalcifications are associated with DCIS. However atypical cells could also be Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia.. possibly something else.

This rollercoaster is absolute misery. But it's good they are checking on this now vs. waiting 6 months! I think knowing is better than uncertainty or having an unresolved possibility hanging overhead. If this is all they found thus far, it's likely if you do have any issue that it is quite early (possibly stage 0) and very treatable. It can still turn your world upside down though.

Dk11111

My natural reaction is to say thanks and happy to be here , but it’s more like thanks and I’m glad this forum exists.

They did order the biopsy for the calcifications. When I finally got To the bs, they said it was most likely related to the cyst because of how they appeared, flat and possibly layering is how it was explained. So they opted to do the fna instead. Then upon the test of the cyst fluid brought me back for the core biopsy.

Blah334, I am sorry for the journey you have been on and I hope you have the support you need. Thanks for responding. It helps just to know others are here.

blah333

your response is interesting to hear. Because I initially went in due to a lump/nodule and turned out I had DCIS, however my report seemed to say the lump that brought. me in was a cyst, yet happened to be near the cluster of calcifications. I wonder how common that is.

I'm also sorry to have to be on this forum but it is a great resource. You can also use the "search" box to look things up, I've gotten a lot of info from reading old posts. I hope the rest of your rollercoaster goes more smoothly.