Covid delays and multiple biopies

Bellevue1110

An initial screening mammogram in mid feb found 4 solid lumps in right breast. Ultrasound and vab biopsy of largest one was adh. They have a moratorium on non critical surgeries at hospital right now...and for who knows how long. Now scheduled for ultrasound and biopsies of 3 other lumps. Surgeon says one month delay ok for excision, but longer will be a problem. All four lumps are spread out so if adh is found will need pretty extensive surgery. Not sure what happens if the restrictions go on for longer as they predict. Meantime I work in long term care and my poor residents are going stir crazy. Trying to stay focused on what can happen instead of what can't right now. Truly wishing I'd made the initial mammogram appointment last fall!!

Moxie32

These are uncertain times. I hope you can start treatment soon.

I’m scheduled to start radiation on Thursday so hoping it happens and I stay healthy for a month to complete it

Bellevue1110

God bless you Moxie32 and keep you well through treatment and beyond! I know I'm in a good place to have to wait.

Thanks for the reply.

VeeHow

Can you look at a different hospital. My hospital is only doing emergency and cancer surgeries.

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Bellevue1110

Thanks VeeHow, I did ask about that and was told all hospitals in state are limiting procedures to those preserving life, limb or preventing disease spread, etc. Did you have an excisional biopsy very recently? I see you also started with adh. How did your process go? Did they expect to find something more, or was it a surprise?

Because in my case they have not found cancer cells they cannot call it preventing disease. The office did call today to say they are reviewing my films to see if the other masses are suspicious enough to ask for an exception. 😶 To be honest I'm kinda at my capacity for worrying with work and senior parents. Lol, who knew the timing could be so bad!

VeeHow

The Covid Virus arrival certainly sucks especially for cancer patients!!! I had my excisional biopsy 2 weeks ago I expected itt to be benign since my VAB was benign but found out it is is DCIS. I know this isn’t a big deal for some who are dealing with much but it’s a big deal for me. My lumpectomy was yesterday, the surgeon said the surgery went well. I’m waiting for the results. I do have a Nurse Navigator but couldn’t get in touch with her. I think it was on a Friday so maybe she doesn’t work a full week. I’m going to get the names of my oncology team so I can get in touch with them at least by phone. I wish I could meet with the oncology team together but it’s not happening.

VeeHow

I hope the hospital can be convinced to do the surgery. Best wishes

Bellevue1110

On crap! I'm so sorry to hear about the diagnosis. Of course it's a big deal...it's your body. You know I never have a thought to my breasts before this, of all the kinds of cancer I thought I may get someday this was not on the radar. It really knocks you for a loop. I hope you can at least telegraph with your team. Sending you good thoughts for the outcome.

My center is going ahead (as of now) with 3 more vab biopsies Thursday. Although if they find more atypical cells I'll still be waiting for excisions...just more worried. I too am mindful of how much more others are bearing. I just hope for all of us we can get back to being worried about one (or several) things at a time. I was never very good at multitasking! 🙃

Lea7777

Best wishes to you Bellevue1110, during this difficult time. Waiting for the surgery and results is always tough, but you're dealing with an added wait time and lots of other stress. So sorry you must endure this. Is there a Nurse Navigator you can contact?

Bellevue1110

Thanks Lea7777, I am in contact with wonderful nurse navigator...she's got me lined up for Thursday, and a follow up with results for April 2nd...again all contingent on Covid cases. So much has happened since the whole process started Feb 13th that sometimes it doesn't even feel real. Hoping all comes back benign and I can just have the one mass of adh already found removed when possible and be done with it!

Barbmak

Felt a lump in breast that had DCIS and lumpectomy in it 3 years ago. I called my surgeon and she ordered a mammogram. I went this morning and the Radiation doc said probably fat necrosis but it has to be biopsied to make sure. He said it’s ok if biopsy is 4-6 weeks away. I’m scared and hope to hear from surgeon in a day or two as soon as she gets report.

December11

Bellevue, same here. Breast cancer was probably the last cancer I thought I would get. I was in the process of trying to get a routine colonoscopy because of my age when the primary care doctor suggested I get a mammogram. It had been two years since I had a mammogram.

Bellevue1110

Barbmak hope you've gotten better news. Take very good care of yourself, keeping all you NJ folks in prayer.

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Bellevue1110

December... It's like taking your car in for an oil change and leaving with 10 grand in suggested repairs! I was getting scheduled for a colonoscopy too....Glad that's delayed I can only handle one health scare a month! I'm so sorry you're going through this. Take good care and let us know how we can help support you.

Bellevue1110

My path report came back with no more atypia! Hurray! So far 1 adh and 1 papilloma....1 fa and one more biopsy to go. Seeing the surgeon in the morning to find out what he wants to do next. Now as long as the excision stays adh I hope I'm good to go. It's seems so weird to me that there is so much going on in one breast and nada in the other. Not that I'm complaining! Lol, I guess old leftie is lazy.

daLyB59

Hi! I was just diagnosed last week. I had my biopsy same day as my ultrasound, then scheduled for surgery the very next week. Not all studies have been completed, but so far it's invasive, looks like ductal, but some lobular features. ER+,PR+, HER2-. I was trying to do community care through the VA and have all my treatment through my local hospital. However, the VA won't approve my care. They tell me it's because of COVID-19 and it being so risky right now. I can't seem to get an answer as to what the plan is moving forward. I initially took the news well but must admit I'm starting to panic a little! I am expecting a call from the VA oncology Dr tomorrow and see if someone has some kind of plan.

toria1212

daLyB59

I am so sorry that you are getting a bit of a run around regarding your treatment, etc. UGH. I was diagnosed 15 days ago, and BS appointment and surgery schedule were swift. However, now I am going to take the hormone suppressors pre-surgery in case it is in fact delayed. The virus tension(trying to keep everyone occupied at home, DO we have enough tp? lol, and other challenges) make this BC diagnosis even harder and bigger...I hope you get some answers soon and know that others are rooting for you to get the care that you need!

(((hugs))) from Michigan,

xx

Barbmak

My surgeon's office called and I have an appointment with her on Monday where we will discuss what is going on and the next step. I Feel so much better knowing that I will at least see her. Her assistant told me that she can do an U/S guided biopsy in her office. I'm just worried that if it is cancer again- and I sincerely hope it is not- that I will have to wait as some of you are having to do now.

JRNJ

Barbmak, I hope it’s not cancer. But if it is, I don’t think they’ll delay, I hope not. I’m doing radiation with no delays. I think it’s great the BS has an ultrasound in office. That makes so much sense.Where do you go? I’m in central jersey.

daLyB59

I finally have some kind of plan! Aromatase Inhibitor, Letrozole. Wow, who knew when I saw those commercials that would someday be me! Reimaging in 4 to 6 weeks to be sure it's not continuing to grow.

I did some of my own research on new guidelines, listened to the podcast on this site. Sounds like my experience is the new norm during COVID-19. It still remains stressful but I do understand the concerns. I just ride the emotional roller coaster and try to catch up on all the new to me language surrounding having breast cancer. ☺

Thank you toria1212 for reaching out, it helped make me feel less isolated in this craziness.

daLyB59

toria1212 Hi, hugs back at you! I hope you keep moving along quickly, this waiting is tough. Do you know what they're putting you on?

Keep us up to date, come here when you need an ear and a space to vent! I'm the meantime stay inside and be safe!

Barbmak

JRNJ I am in south Jersey off of exit 30 lol. Love my surgeon. She actually did /US guided biopsy in office the next day because she knew how anxious I was. So I had it yesterday and now I wait...

Barbmak

Bellevue1110 Thanks. Keeping good thoughts for you and hoping that you get some peace of mind and resolution soon. My Mom is in LTC and I know how difficult that is right now.

JRNJ

Barbmack, yeah, that is too far for me, I'm exit 98. Is Altantic City open? Isn't it essential? lol. Hope all goes well!

Barbmak

Yes Casino's are closed! Unfortunately a lot of our local economy (I'm in Egg Harbor Township) depends on tourism and the casinos. Still waiting on biopsy results. I called today and left message but did not get a call back. I'm thinking I should hear Monday...I hope!

Barbmak

I should have posted before but forgot. My biopsy was negative. When my surgeon called she said, "hello beautiful with the benign breast!" She made me laugh and I am so relived!

Bellevue1110

So very glad to hear this! Good for you! I'm having the excisional biopsy of the Adh and papilloma on June 16th. Glad to have that done and over with! I hope your mom is well, we are opening assisted living buildings for outdoor visits in about 10 days...snfs to follow hopefully soon after. Stay well!

Bellevue1110

Well excision delayed because the lump has grown and it's been 4 months now since they found it, so the surgeon wants the US and mammogram repeated. Nuts. My last biopsy was the end of March but the site of the biopsy incision, and the site of the first mass are still tender is that normal? I hope insurance will cover the repeat diagnostics!