"We'd like you to come back in for further tests....."

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CoolBreeze
CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I had my first mammogram since my mastectomy last week.  Today I got the call to come in for a disgnostic and sonogram.  

My right breast was removed in October and I'm still undergoing reconstruction - this is my left breast, which was healthy based on MRI back then.

I only finished chemo three months ago; still doing herceptin.  

My breasts have always been cystic and I had some drained on my real breast back in January or so. Since chemopause, my breast has settled down, and I don't feel any at this time, but wouldn't cysts show up on mammogram?  And, since it's the radiology place I've been going to the entire time, they have all my films so they can look at my history and see if a cyst was there before, right?

I just talked to the receptionist/scheduler on the phone so I didn't even bother to ask her what they were seeing that looked suspicious.  

How many have been through this before?

Along with IDC I had LCIS in my cancerous breast.  I understand that very slightly raises the risk in the contralateral breast but it was such a small risk I felt it was worth taking.  I hope I didn't choose wrong.

I'm not frantic with fear but am concerned about recurrance so early. I am thinking they are being super-careful with me, but am unsure.

It would suck if I had to do this again, and it would really suck thinking that the chemo didn't work. 

But, I'm getting ahead of myself!

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited July 2010

    No, cysts do not always show on Mammos.  I had my second "6 month" mammo last April (first one prior to starting rads was fine).  They always do an US at my breast cancer center, right after the mammo.  I was told my mammo was fine, then went in for the US.  They found somthing "small" on the internal scar line of my large lumpectomy.  They had to peel me off the freaking wall.  I am triple neg so I am ALWAYS petrified.  They assured me it was probably just a small seroma or cyst as I was only 4 months out of rads.  Had a breast MRI the following week, and thank God, it was a seroma.  I go for my next mammo in Sept and I am dreading it and fearing it already. 

    I wish you all the best - I hope it is absolutely nothing.

    Linda

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited July 2010

    Thanks Linda,

    I wasn't worried at all about the mammo - never occured to me they'd see anything.  Now I am a bit freaked out.

    I know odds are it's nothing but it's still unnerving.

    I can't find anything about peope who have a cancer in their contralateral side only 3 months out from chemo.  So, maybe it doesn't happen!  :)

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  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited July 2010

    Ann,

    Don't assume that your medical professionals know your specifc exact history at the time they are speaking to you. In your place, I would assume it is a cyst until told otherwise. You've had more cysts than cancer, right? :) 

     One year out from my lumpectomy they found microcalcs on my mammo (I was originally dx from  microcalcs on a routine mammo at age 42)  and they were b9. I hope the same for you.  

     All the best,

    Annie 

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  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited July 2010

    OH, and I forgot. I had to go in for further films at one point about 2 yrs ago when digital mammo replaced films at my center.  Result: B9 despite my freakout. 

    Best,

    Miss Annie 

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited July 2010

    Thanks Miss Annie.

    It's good to hear those stories.  I'm expecting nothing but my time being taken up, but after what I've been through - and before I''m even done,  it's disturbing to have to think about.

    I was hoping I wouldn't have to face fear of recurrence until I was actually done with cancer treatment.  Silly me!  :)

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited July 2010

    So, the reason they are calling me back is because they found a "1.6 cm focus of asymmetry in the upper left quadrant."

     Anybody have a statement like that come out benign?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2010

    CoolBreeze- When I was trying to decide between lumpectomy and MX my BS sent me for a breast MRI to make sure they hadn't missed anything.  They found 4 additional "spots" that were described as a "focus of asymmetry" as well.  After 2 ultrasound-guided biopsies and 2 MRI-guided biopsies all the spots turned out to be nothing more than calcifications so it can happen.  I am sending positive vibes your way for a good result as well.

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  • Jenniferz
    Jenniferz Member Posts: 541
    edited July 2010

    Coolbreeze,

    While not exactly like yours, I had a mamo and they said that there was a "7mm area of density that should be followed by another  6 months." Not  the easiest and most calming thing to hear. My surgeon shoo'd me on to an MRI, instead of waiting and everything appears to be ok.

    I'm hoping the same for you.

    Jennifer

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited July 2010

    My surgeon just called me.  Weird.  He wanted to remind me to go in for my diagnostic tests.  Maybe he thought I hadn't been notified?

    I asked him what he thought and he said, 'It's probably benign, but let them biopsy you."

    Like I'd say no!  :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2010

    It seems very unlikely that you would have another cancer diagnosis so soon after chemo and before you even finish Herceptin.  It sounds to me that your team is being hyper-careful, which is a good thing!

    In the meantime, though it's hard, try to stop worrying.

    Brenda 

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited July 2010

    Thanks Brenda,,

    I'm not worried anymore.  I did a BSE last night, checking every molecule, from every angle, and I feel nothing.  Nothing at all is in there and at 1.6 cm, I'd can't help but think I'd feel something.

    I am glad they are being careful.  I just thought it interesting that he'd say to let them biopsy me.  :) Do people say no to that?

    I suppose some do, now that I think about it.

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  • cbm
    cbm Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2010

    When my oncologist was trying to convince me that a lumpectomy was in my best interest and that a bilateral mastectomy wasn't necessary, he told me that I'd be having relentlessly scrupulous, detailed, thorough and careful diagnostic testing if there was even the slightest possibility that a shadow on the mammo I'd get every six months or so was something that might be amiss. I'm thinking that's probably what you are experiencing?  I didn't decide on the bmx to avoid the scrupulous surveillance, but I imagine in your shoes i'd be freaking.  

    Here's how I read "let them biopsy it"--"You and I both know that the chance that this is anything is about nil.  But, rather than make that point and discuss the fact that you are still in treatment and that another strategy would be to keep an eye on it, let them go ahead with the biopsy because it will satisfy everyone involved and I won't have to talk to anyone, because I hate that." Smile

    Peaceful thoughts; I love the blog.

    Cathy 

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited July 2010

    Ha!  I love your interpretation, Cathy, and I bet it's right on.

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited July 2010

    Well, this time tomorrow I should know one way or the other.  Or, I should have a clue anyway - I'm going to make sure I see a radiologist and discuss my tests.  I know they can't always give you a definitive answer, but sometimes they can.

    I can feel a lump, right on top of a cyst.  I would never have thought about it had this mammmogram come back negative - not sure I'd have ever differentiated it, but with this situation I have gone over my breast in detail and discovered that it is definitely there.

    I have a bad feeling that I have cancer again.  Don't we all though?  The next minute, I think, it can't possibly be cancer, I just got done with chemo.

    Oddly enough, I have valium and I haven't taken any, despite this agonizing wait.  I have had a few beers though, which I try not to do knowing it can fuel a recurrence.  But, I figure I might have already had one so what the hell?

    We all know that the waiting is the worst.   I now understand why women say scan times are the worst.  It truly is difficult - this not knowing and fearing.

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited July 2010

    Well, this time tomorrow I should know one way or the other.  Or, I should have a clue anyway - I'm going to make sure I see a radiologist and discuss my tests.  I know they can't always give you a definitive answer, but sometimes they can.

    I can feel a lump, right on top of a cyst.  I would never have thought about it had this mammmogram come back negative - not sure I'd have ever differentiated it, but with this situation I have gone over my breast in detail and discovered that it is definitely there.

    I have a bad feeling that I have cancer again.  Don't we all though?  The next minute, I think, it can't possibly be cancer, I just got done with chemo.

    Oddly enough, I have valium and I haven't taken any, despite this agonizing wait.  I have had a few beers though, which I try not to do knowing it can fuel a recurrence.  But, I figure I might have already had one so what the hell?

    We all know that the waiting is the worst.   I now understand why women say scan times are the worst.  It truly is difficult - this not knowing and fearing.

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  • Summer38
    Summer38 Member Posts: 253
    edited July 2010
    Sending good vibes your way.....and my fingers & toes are crossed for you!Smile
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  • cbm
    cbm Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2010

    Hi, Ann; I'll be thinking about you and hoping to hear good news.  

    Cathy 

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  • Frankie_
    Frankie_ Member Posts: 422
    edited July 2010

    Ann-sending you postive vibes too. Hoping to hear good news too.

    Frankie

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  • meg8000
    meg8000 Member Posts: 108
    edited December 2010

    More good vibes coming your way...

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited July 2010

    I'm with everyone less: GOOD VIBES FOR YOU ANN!  It's tomorrow... how are you doing? 

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  • cheryl195
    cheryl195 Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2010

    Where is her answer for tomorrow? I'm trying not to freakout, but I just recieved a call back to do a second mamo with a radiologist this coming Thursday. The bottom line is staying positive and productive during the wait time. Your posts help.

    I'm an 81/2 year survivor. I had LCIS and IDC with 2+ nodes. I did a lumpectomy with full aux and have been seeing my onc every 6 months since. I did chemo and rads and 5 yrs tamox and am on femora for another 18 months.

    Here is to good vives for all of us.

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited July 2010

    Hi everybody!

    Benign!!!!

    Apparently, after i started tamoxifen my breast density changed so much it looks like a different breast on mammography.  I have always had cysts, and what they saw was an old cyst with a new one on top if it, which gave the assymetrical appearance, I guess.

    I am so relieved!!!!  

    They did say that with my history, even though they are pretty certain things are benign, they want to be extra careful and check to make sure that nothing is wrong.  And, because my breasts had changed so much, they didn't really recognize it and so weren't going to take any chances.

    While that is comforting, it also causes these nerve-wracking experiences.  I am sure this will happen again, so I will mentally prepare myself.  They are just being very cautious and chemo/meds/age can change our breasts.  With us, they don't want to take any chances.

     

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited July 2010

    So glad to hear the good news!

    Mary 

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  • thegoodfight
    thegoodfight Member Posts: 560
    edited July 2010

    Congrats Cool Breeze, we never, ever get tired of hearing those magic words..............

    B9 B9 B9 B9 B9 B9.......................Yipee!

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  • cheryl195
    cheryl195 Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2010

    I was so releaved to read your news!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2010

    CoolBreeze- YIIIIIIPPPPPPPEEEEEE!!!!  So happy for you, girl!

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited July 2010

    Wahoooooo Ann!  That is great news :)

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  • Summer38
    Summer38 Member Posts: 253
    edited July 2010
    Great News!!!!!!!!! Laughing
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  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited July 2010

    phew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • Jenniferz
    Jenniferz Member Posts: 541
    edited July 2010

    Yipee!!! Great News!! May your dance with NED continue for many years!!!  Now, go do something nice for yourself!

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