And so it begins....

Waiting is the WORST.  It seems like you think you will get all the information when you meet with the doctor but then you are told you will need more tests or to wait for pathology.....seems like the total picture takes a month or two to unfold.  Sorry you are having to go through this.  It will get better once you know everything and start treatment.  Hugs!

Hi Scottsmom, 

I'm sorry that your results didn't come back B9. It seems to me that most women feel better once treatments start & even before then when a plan is being formulated. My own take on this is that we just feel better when we're doing something proactively to 'fix' it. I'm glad you're on anti-anxiety meds, they do help a lot of people. (((hugs)))

Scottsmom - Well, at least you have a piece of the puzzle and a little bit of a plan.  Remember - breathe.  And remember to get copies of all the reports.  PET scans aren't bad and an EKG isn't either, so a few more tests and then many answers - which prompt many questions.  You're doing great so far, check in anytime!  

Sadiecat22 - Hi and welcome!  Sorry to have to meet you under these circumstances, but here we are.... You seem to be in good hands (literally) and doing all the right things so far.  You'll find out that the mantra here on BCO is "just because you can, doesn't mean you should" - but it sounds like you've already learned that lesson.    There's a thread called Lumpectomy Lounge over here...  It's a long one, but just jump on in and introduce yourself:  http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/800729?page=67#post_3923799

There are many others threads that might help you through radiation and such.  Just let us know if you have any questions and someone will come along to help you out.  We're open 24/7, so the girls from the other side of the world are just getting up about now... Stay in touch and let us know how you're doing because you are not alone. 

Welcome to the warmest and friendliest group on the internet.  all of us wish we were not here.  Reading helps.  Praying helps.  anti anxiety agents help in the short term.  I am starting radiation tomorrow which is unusual for non palliative stage 4.  Keep abreast of as much news as you can. God bless. Carolyn from Tn/Fl

Sadiecat22 - We were all new once.  Don't worry - you'll be paying it forward soon enough.  Right now your job is to concentrate on YOU! 

Hi there, Scottsmom - 

I honestly believe that the pre-testing, and ESPECIALLY the various imaging tests, are the worst part of this early phase. I'm going to repeat what I've said elsewhere on the forums in the hope that it helps you in some small way. My father spent his professional career installing and maintaining virtually every sort of medical imaging equipment on earth - CT, MRI, X-Ray, PET - you name it, he worked with it, and interacted on a regular basis with radiologists all over the place.

These imaging tests are NOT precise. At best, they offer doctors a sort of squint-eye view at what's going on inside of you, and since those images are usually rendered in two dimensions, everything from their size to their nature are largely a matter of interpretation left up to the radiologist. In particular, the MRI yields a lot of false positives, because the calibration is dicey and it picks up too much, if you know what I mean.

Here's my story, for what it might be worth to you. I had an ultrasound-guided biopsy for a suspicious mass found during my annual mammogram. That mass turned out to be the tumor I'm currently treating. Following that biopsy, I had an MRI to check for additional areas of concern. That MRI showed a second area in the same breast, along with a highly-enhanced area on my sternum. Cue the hysteria - I underwent PET/CT scans and a bone scan to determine whether we were looking at a bone metastasis. All of those tests showed nothing dangerous, and the thing on my sternum was determined to be a bone island. But they were still worried about the second spot in my breast, so I was booked for a second MRI to biopsy that second spot. I crawl back into the tube for the MRI and try to relax while they're taking their pictures. After about fifteen minutes, the doctor comes into the room and tells me that I can get up, because she can't biopsy what's not there. 

In short, that first MRI yielded false positives that sent me hurtling through a bunch of additional imaging tests, but nothing ever came out of it. I'm not saying that MRIs are ALWAYS wrong, but they're wrong a lot, so maybe there's some comfort in there for you.

sorry for late reply scottsmom.  Sounds goo for you. Enjoy your grip. I am just discharged today from hospital!  lumpectomy,Mammaplasty, nipple reposition . All good. Results on Thursday...aghhh