Breast MRI; can you believe THIS?

percy4 · November 2013

percy4 · November 2013

Not so much about DCIS, but, still. While my breast MRI showed an all-clear (pretty much), it seems that the tip of my liver was seen on it. Surgeon says she's never encountered this, but... Found a mass (not cancer; it's not solid) in the tip of my liver they can see. Looks like a hemangioma, or less possibly, a benign liver cyst. Both not health-threatening, but it's BIG (1 x 2 inches, and that's only the part they can see). Don't usually need treatment, unless they're really big (which mine looks like it can be), then they have to do abdominal surgery and remove it, so it doesn't tilt the liver, or something like that. So; scheduled for liver ultrasound before my lumpectomy, possibly CT scan if they can't get enough info. I'm sure there are other women here who were/are dealing with other health issues while dealing with DCIS, lumpectomy, possible rads, and time off work. I can't be the only one. But it does make it harder to just concentrate on the DCIS, and get on with it (which I needed to do; that was enough of an adjustment). Just venting here, but I can I PLEASE just catch a break? How do I keep my mind on just the DCIS now? It's hard.

MelissaDallas · November 2013

Percy, the problem with getting scans of any kind is all the incidental things they see that would probably never cause problems. From my CTs for ovarian cancer & my breast MRIs the last couple of years I now know I have an area in my liver that might be fatty, a hemangioma on my spine, a kidney cyst and a cyst on my humeral head. None of them are anything to worry about, but I had a lot of bad stuff happen over about a year and I understand exactly that "please, no more!" feeling. (((Hugs)))

percy4 · November 2013

Point is this. The DCIS is real, and needed to be my first priority. Now, I have to be concerned about this. What do you all do? Mental adjustment, meditation, perspective, or what? I feel like I'm now in medical-world, and I was enough, already. Any suggestions for how to remain calm, collect yourself(even for just DCIS; the nearer my lumpectomy gets, the less calm I feel), etc? Staying centered was all I had. I live alone, thoughts reverberate, and enough is enough.

percy4 · November 2013

Thanks, Melissa. My Mother, who has had health problems in general, said the same thing. One thing can lead to another. But I hate it! Glad you understand. Don't mean to be out of the subject here, but, still, the subject raising other subjects is real. - P.

MelissaDallas · November 2013

i live alone too, and I was very ill when I had ovarian cancer. I also receive my care through clinics at a large county hospital where every appointment is a four or five hour ordeal and I had a lot of appointments for a long time. All I can tell you is that you just put one foot in front of the other for as long as it takes and one day you'll realize you've made it through it. I told my Mom I felt that I had six months of my life just stolen from me.

Just take it one day at a time or it is overwhelming.

percy4 · November 2013

Thank you so much, M. I felt like a whiner, Posting this, then I realized anyone's concerns are real. That's how I would respond to them. Your replies have helped me very much. Thank God for this forum! You're right; one foot in front of the other. That's what I always tell my kids about Life. Just needed to hear it myself. Love - P.

wyo · November 2013

Percy- ultrasound can be a gift that "keeps on giving" as incidental findings come up. Its hard not to feel like a ping pong ball being batted around with all the medical testing.

I have a saying I use a lot maybe its helpful for you- my staff and people I work on huge problems with kinda like it "How do you eat an elephant??" "One bite at a time" Thats all you can do.

Hang in there

MelissaDallas · November 2013

I wish I could tell you some magic solution, but in reality you just do what you have to do because you really don't have a lot of choice. There were a lot of days I just wanted to pull the covers over my head and say I can't do this, but I did get through it and you will too. I know you're scared, but things like what showed up on your liver are really common and I'll bet it turns out to be okay.

percy4 · November 2013

Thank you. xx

ballet12 · November 2013

Hi Percy, there was another individual on these threads who had to deal with a similar issue, and ended up having liver surgery before her lumpectomy. I'll PM you with the information.

MelissaDallas · November 2013

Percy, I should add that I had a transjugular liver biopsy. An interventional radiologist did it under concious sedation and it was not difficult at all.

percy4 · November 2013

Well, I had the good sense to consult with my primary Dr., and tell him I'd like to do the liver ultrasound a couple of weeks after lumpectomy. I told him it was just too much for me, while preparing for my surgery, to do it before; asked him if that's OK. He reviewed the MRI, confirmed that hemangioma of liver is what is suspected, probably been there a long time, nothing connected to my breast disease, and agreed my plan is a good one. So glad! Will certainly follow up and get the liver ultrasound, but one less thing to think about pre-surgery! Thanks for all the support. - P.

Breast MRI; can you believe THIS?

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