Just got the date for excisional biopsy

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momand2kids
momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

so,

the excisional biopsy on my opposite side is on December 6--- they want additional films (I was treated and have my mammos elsewhere).  I know this is because my surgeon is so exacting--- but it made me nervous nonetheless.  She is not concerned about this spot they found, but wants it out--- no one else is concerned about it.... but having to get extra pics just makes me nervous-although the office was quick to reassure me that they did not see anything, they just want their own pics..... sigh.... 

am I crazy???

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited November 2010

    I'm glad you're getting it out - just to be safe. My biopsy came back positive - low grade ductal, so it's definitely worth getting it checked out. Remember my MRI report said probably benign - well no it wasn't. Apparently there are 3 spots in there. They could only get at one to test it. Surgery scheduled for 30th Nov. I'm hoping the surgeon can do it by lumpectomy, I'm terrified of having a mastectomy. They do want the other tiny spots removed as well, seeing the first one was bad. They've marked them with clips using MRI. They can't see them on mammo or ultrasound. They are so thorough, it might be a difficult process but I'm glad they have taken such care (I've had 4 trips to this breast clinic in the past few weeks).

    It looks like this cancerous spot was there last year and was missed on my mammo as it didn't show on 2 different views - apparently low grade cancer does not respond to chemo. I just wish I'd had an MRI back then and I wouldn't be going through this now.

    I'm seeing my onc today (my 2nd last herceptin tx) and we'll see what he has to say.

    Don't be nervous, as I've said before it's better to be safe than sorry. Be glad they are taking such good care of you.

    Sue

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2010

    Sue

    sorry this is happening again.... sounds really early. I hope you can do the lumpectomy.

    I have had regular MRI's since dx--all clear--- so this is something new and surgeon really thinks it is benign--but out it will come.  I go next week for more films and an ekg--- then wait another 10 days, then the procedure--- thankfully it is local anesthesia.

     While I am concerned, I am not as panicked as I was in 2008 when I knew nothing. I do have complete faith in my surgeon- she sees these thiings every day, all day.  

    So, hopefully it is nothing, but if it is something, we will just deal with it.  But I just refuse to waste all the emotional energy on it that I did the first time---- especially since I don't know what it is.  

    It is true, the closer scrutiny puts us in a position where more things are found--- my onc told me that just by having my mammos at the Dana Farber means that they will be looking for things.  She wasn't being critical, just stating the fact.  I am glad they are taking care--- and I think that is why I am not as anxious as I was before.  But, it is nerve wracking and I know I wont' have results for a couple of weeks after the 6th.... but there is nothing I can do about it...... 

    I wish you the best-please keep us posted.  I will think good thoughts about the lumpectomy If the spots are near one another it would seem that they could do that?

     C

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited November 2010

    Sorry you have to wait so long to get it out of there. I'm glad they are as thorough as my clinic. I'm hoping eveything is fine for you.

    My onc did mention mastectomy to me yesterday along the lines of not having to go through this all the time. If I were to get a totally new cancer in the future (after chemo/rads/herceptin), then I would do that, but I feel this one is old and it was there before, so why not be conservative.

    I see the surgeon today - wish me luck.

    Sue

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited November 2010

    Surgery on Tuesday - lumpectomy!!!

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2010

    Excellent....so glad you are doing this soon..... how great is it that you can have the lumpectomy!!!

    my gyn called after she got the reports-- said" this does not look like anything" so they all agree--let's hope they are right....  

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited November 2010

    I hope it's not anything too - my fingers are crossed for you.  I think she might cut out a big chunk but it's on the underside of the boob so I can just fill my bra with a chicken fillet. Lucky I have lots of boob to work with. Make sure you let me know how it goes. I'll let you know what the other 2 tiny spots are - I'm hoping they're benign but can't get too over confident after the patohlogy on the first spot.

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2010

    Hi

    my lumpectomy was on the underside too. what is great about that is that you cannot even tell I ever had surgery and the scar is almost invisible...I was a D cup and still am..... although I remember telling the surgeon right after I went under that she could take as much as she wanted!!!!

    the upside for us is at least we know what to expect......

    thinking of you---- only a couple of days now..... 

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited November 2010

    I'm a DD so there's plenty of flesh there. Just to clarify on the chicken fillet thing - over here you can buy things to put in your bra to boost your cleveage and they look just like chicken fillets - so that's become their common name here. I didn't want you to think I was going to use real ones.

    Have you had your extra scans done yet?

    Sue

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited November 2010

    I didn't have the surgery today - the stupid idiots couldn't place the hook wires. I did have the sentinel node biopsy done though and woke up feeling great so I came home. Lumpectomy now scheduled for next Tuesday at the bigger hospital where the expert breast clinic is - the ones who I've been seeing this past month. I'm sure they'll be able to insert the wires successfully.  I'm ok about it now but boy was I pissed off when they gave up on inserting the wires. The goods news is that the SNB went really well. The node lit up beautifully and 8 hours later I have not had one twinge of pain - what a great surgeon - wish I'd had her last year.

    Now the waiting begins again but I can just put my feet up and relax.

    Sue

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2010

    Sue

    sorry it did not work out--- but it sounds like going to the breast clinic is a good idea-even with the wait.

    I go tomorrow to have films/ultrasounds re-done--- I had them done at our #1 Nationally ranked cancer center but our #1 hospital wants their own set! My surgeon is at one Boston hospital, oncologist at another..... BUT, I am happy to do  it if it makes them happy and makes it easier for them to put in the wires on the 6th...... whatever it takes!!

    Rest up-- glad you are not having any pain from the snb..... did she give you the snb results?

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited November 2010

    Good luck on the new films. It is strange they want a new set. We are constantly trying to grab my films so they don't get lost.

    She said the node(s) looked clear but as usual they do further testing. A pathologist would have looked at it yesterday in the theatre.

    Amazingly still no pain whatsoever!!! I've decided she's a white witch. I'm tired today but that's due to not getting to sleep until about 1am this morning - going to have a big nap soon to catch up.

    I'm still waiting for them to call me re the new time. I am so glad to have the SNB out of the way and now I get the experts for the wires.

    Sue

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2010

    Sue

    so glad to hear it..... 

    The films-- well what it is is that I had my mammogram at the Dana Farber which is where my onc is-but I am having the excisional biopsy at the Mass General, which is where my surgeon is.... my surgeon is VERY exacting and she wanted the MGH mammographers to find the spot where the wires would go..... this apparently happens 9 times out of 10 with films from other hospitals.  Reassures me that they will know EXACTLY what they are doing.  I always keep copies of every film, I order them immediately after they are taken--- so I have a load of them at home....

    You sound great-- that is good.  I am ready to get this done--- and I hope everyone is right, that it is nothing. BUT, I am preparing as thought it might be something......

    get some rest!

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  • Deanna67
    Deanna67 Member Posts: 81
    edited August 2013

    Hello Ladies, can I ask a question about us "A cuppers"? I am getting a lumpectomy soon and my BC is on bottom half of my breast, and I am scared I will be left with half of a boob. Now I dont know what to do! Sorry, I didnt have a question I guess, just a statement and thinking out loud")

    Thanks

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  • brooke1120
    brooke1120 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2010

    Hi Ladies - I am scheduled fo an excisional biopsy next week. I had a mammo and sono done. Needle biopsy done on both breasts. One was a fiboadenoma, the other is a complex sclerosing lesion. The sample from the biopsy said it was benign, but the radiologist and breast surgeon said that these types of lesions can come back cancerous because the needle biopsy only took a few samples and they may be a chance of underlying cancer cells. The also told me its a true precursor to malignancy. So of course I have been a wreck. I have to have a wire localization done the morning of the surgery. Think I am more nervous about that. Scary thought of going though this and trying to keep positive all will be ok.

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