Trying not to assume anything...but feeling so sick...

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cindee56
cindee56 Member Posts: 75
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi there,  I was diagnosed 18 years ago I am grateful that since then I have had a few extra tests over the years but for the most part I have been doing well, thank God.  Over the past 18 years my doctor has sent me for 5-6 ultrasounds after my mammogram during yearly follow-up due to dense breast tissue and everything was always fine according to the radiologist.

Last year June 2012 had mammogram and Dr. asked for ultrasound after mammo again (all these u/s have been on same breast I had lumpectomy on in 1995, right side.  Ultrasound this time came back "inconclusive" so when she suggested only way to know for sure was core needle biopsy I almost passed out.  I had no real discomfort with the biopsy other than the worry and the waiting game.  June 26th got results B9, scar tissue. Thought that was it.......nope 2 days later my Dr called to say radiologist now wanted 3 month follow-up kind of threw me for a loop because I thought biopsy meant I was ok .  So for a year I have been travelling 2 hours every 3 months for ultrasound follow-ups on the area they biopsied.  Last one was after my yearly mammogram on May 24th and no change so no further follow-up required. This area was at 8 o'clock the same area that I had been injured quite severly about 10 years ago. Before I got a chance to be happy about that my doctor called on May 27th asked me to come in to review yearly bloodwork etc.  She said your ultrasound area at 8 o'clock has not changed but there is another area at 10:00 that is about 4mm that is not suspicious the radiologist is rating it Probably Benign but recommending short term follow-up again in 3 months. Sorry ladies I am not trying to be a whiner but I really have been on a whirlwind of emotions this past year and here we go again......

My Dr. said I could go have the core needle biopsy again or just go with the follow-up ultrasound in 3 months, or if I wanted to she could send me to a BS and I could get his opinion on these ultrasound results.  I have concern with getting biopsies and creating more scar tissue but not sure I can do the stress of the follow-ups....

I have tried since May 24th when I had the annual check-up to shake this negative feeling.  This is like an exact repeat of last year almost to the day so another summer full of worry.

Any encouragement or positive stories would be greatly appreciated ladies..Feeling really alone....

Thanks very much:)

Cindee

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  • SheChirple
    SheChirple Member Posts: 954
    edited June 2013

    Cindee, so sorry you are going through this, again. I can't tell you what to do, but if it were me, I would head in for biposy asap and put this episode behind me. 

    18 yrs and still hovering over your life. ((HUGS))

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    Do you have a breast surgeon that you trust?  Maybe if you went and got his/her opinion, it would make you feel better.  They see this stuff all the time and would know if it is a concern or not.  

    I know you don't want to go through another year of rollercoaster emotions and check ups, but it's good that nothing came from all the checking last year.  

    ((HUGS))

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  • ballet12
    ballet12 Member Posts: 981
    edited June 2013

    Hi Cindee,

    I just had a biopsy for something that was thought to be "probably benign" (in other words really a BIRADS 3), but the surgeon wanted it biopsied anyway (so it turned into a BIRADS4).  I think two things, once you have a diagnosis of bc, the doctors are ultra-careful about checking everything out.  In your case, why now 18 years later?  Either you have developed significant problems OR the digital mammography and sonography has become so much more technically-advanced, that they are picking up things they didn't see 18 years ago, or even in the intervening years.  All of a sudden they are seeing things that are 4mm (the tip of a pencil) and wondering about them.  So, it's good if what they find is something that is of concern.  At the same time, they will be picking up lots of false positives, resulting in many more biopsies.  So, for the most part, it's good to have this new refined degree of surveillance, but the downside is that they are more prone to order 3 or 6 month follow-ups and biopsies.  I, too, am concerned about scar tissue from biopsies.  I didn't want this biopsy (after first mammo follow-up post treatment), but didn't really feel I could buck the breast surgeon, who is extremely experienced and also cautious.  My area of concern was so small, that they had to use the magnification view to determine how to approach the core biopsy.  It wasn't very visible on the regular view. 

    All I can say is, every day you don't have a new diagnosis is a good day.  Go out and try to live your life as well as possible between the sonos.  At the same time, do get a breast surgeon consultation about this latest finding just to be sure that biopsy isn't necessary. Eighteen years is something to celebrate!!!

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited June 2013

    Do any tumors really grow so fast that we need to be tested every 3 months? That's what I would ask the breast surgeon. I found the lump myself - was told it had been there for 8 to 10 years; yet it never showed on my yearly mammograms.  So what good were they? I really don't want to do them anymore, but I guess I have to.  But more than once a year? Unless I feel something suspicious myself or have pains I don't think it is necessary.

    This is just my opinion ---

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  • Zmeister3141
    Zmeister3141 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2013


    I like your "opinion" that more than 1 mamm per year is enough. Better yet....try to find Thermography. Shows heat in the breasts, and finds things 10 years out, that would not show up on a mamm for years. I will never have another mammogram. They are proven to cause cancer.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited October 2013


    No, Zmeister, NOT better yet. The FDA specifically contraindicates thermography as a substitute for mammography. Also, this is an old thread. Based on this post and your first post maybe you would be comfortable in the alternative medicine thread.

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