When they start being so nice and rush the biopsy
I just turned forty and had a physical where I was given referral for routine mammogram. I have been feeling fatigued, had irregular periods, swollen breasts for the last two months and my doctor had ordered bloodwork which was all normal. So I started working out more to prove I would try to do something proactive. after the physical, I decided to do a self exam and found something different . I thought I was probably being dramatic again so I waited a week and it was still there, so I took the next available mammogram appt for the next week. I was sure they would feel it and say it was normal. I thought about not even mentioning it.
But when she felt it, she said we would not do the screening, we would do a diagnostic mammogram and we went to different room. After that, she took me for an ultrasound. She was always kind, but seemed really kind after than and said she would get the radiologist. Then I saw the red stamp on my chart "breast mass" I did not know what questions to ask, but the radiologist showed me the lump and my lymph node next to it and I could see the lump was an irregular shape and darker than the node. He simply said he can't rule out cancer, wanted a biopsy and did not want to sit on this one, he wanted a biopsy the next day. The intervention coordinator said they were completely booked but they left an opening every afternoon so they needed to get insurance approval and I could plan on Monday, sooner if insurance went through and there was a cancellation. Then ended up getting me in the next day, Thursday. Now I'm waiting for results.
I did not know to ask about the birads score, so while everyone keeps telling me 4/5 biopsies are benign, I'm thinking there's a reason I got in so quickly when they were already booked. I'm thinking it's birads 5, which I now understand is almost certainly cancer. I also got a Computer generated letter urging me to follow up on my mammogram because of my dense breast tissue.
So I know it could still be benign, but I want to educate myself so I know what to ask next time. I wish I just knew the birads score, but I did not know to ask. But my primary physician also called me personally to make sure I went to the biopsy and remind me that there are good treatments for early detection. So nice, rushing me in Iike that and making sure I follow up.....I'm thinking theynkmow more than they told me which is that only the biopsy could determine. They did not quote that most biospsies are benign, that's what friends say. I don't think I'm in that group were they are mostly benign.
Finally, did any of you have hormonal fluctuations, miss periods, feel fatigued in the months before finding your cancer? I thought I was going through early menopause because it was like pregnancy which would have been impossible.
E
Comments
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Hello Ewt, I am glad you have found us. It is a scary time for you, but we have all been there too.
Firstly, although the tech can read a mammo and may have an idea what something may be, they can't Dx till a pathology report comes back after a biopsy. That is the only way to get a definitive answer. The truth is, more than 80% of these breast issues are benign, so don't give up hope, that you'll be in that group:)
Try not to read too much into the speed of the appointments either, sometimes they just manage to get you in fast, which is a great thing because the waiting for the test results is just the worst. Don't beat yourself up about not knowing what to ask, no one is prepared for this stuff and you'll find out a lot more when you go further into the testing. Your Doctor is being very pro active, making sure you follow up, many women don't!
Most of us suggest that you take someone with you if you can, when you are seeing the Doctors, it can be easy to not retain what they, say because you are stressed.
Try to take it easy, a step at a time, let us know how you're getting on. Hugs to you!
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scary yes but I think you are really lucky they are attending to you so fast. Some centres do everything in 48 hours just as protocol, I see them as the humane ones as waiting is emotional torture.........mine dragged on for many weeks with staff telling me at every step they are sure it is cancer........
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that's terrible Lily. And Maybe they just wanted to push me through because I'm younger and we tend to be less patient so they want to ease my mind. I just wish I knew the birads score, because I'd still rather just know if the odd are in my favor or not. And although I know they can't diagnose without the pathology, I can see now from reading that the radiologist can see quite a bit to know if it's likely cancer or just suspicious. And the radiologist (MD) just said he didn't want to wait on it. so at this point, I'm not fooling myself and if it's not cancer that will be great!
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Don't get hung up on the BIRADS score.
My right breast was a BIRADS 3 (probably benign) and a small, aggressive IDC tumor was found by biopsy.
My left breast was BIRADS 5. Everything in the breast was benign.
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thanks sassa! I'll just hope for the best and not let it bring me down for the next few days!
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When will they let you know your results?
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they said tues or wed, thurs at the latest.
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Mine happened just as fast. I went for a mammogram on Monday with a note for an U/S if needed because I have dense breasts. At that appointment the tech said that she knew they would be calling me back as the radiologist had left for the day. I got the call the next day to come back in on Thursday for more pics and the U/S. At the ultrasound the radiologist told me I needed a biopsy and they would do it now. I got the results the following Monday. The MRI found another small area on my other breast. They got me in right away for an U/S and biopsy. The second one came out negative.
Try not to worry (easier said than done, I know). The waiting is really the hardest part. Good luck with your results.
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I haven't gotten the biopsy news yet, but I did get the ultrasound and I was right. It highly suspicious, birads 5.
It also has increased vascularity. What does that mean? I actually noticed there is a vein I can see through my super white skin.
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ewt, I had the same experience Friday. Went for a screening mammo, turned into a diagnostic mammo, turned into a doctor visit, turned into 2 biopsies yesterday. I'm not reading anything into the speed with how it's all turned out, except that my doctor is very proactive and she told me she hates waiting.
Gotta love that in your doc.So yesterday I had a stereotactic biopsy on my right breast and a core biopsy on my right breast. My mammo was diagnosed as BIRAD 5, 2 cm spiculated mass on the left side and 5 mm mass on the right side.
They said they'd have the results tomorrow afternoon or Friday morning. My mom's biopsy results came back early when she was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2008. Waiting for the results seems like a good thing to me. It's all a matter of perspective.
We'll wait together and not draw any conclusions until the path report is back. Hang in there.
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unbelievably, am still waiting on test results. Hopefully today.
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two lumps, I see you got your results. How do you feel?
I'm still waiting. Hopefully monday. I'm exhausted
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Ewt717, don't place too much emphasis on bi-rads ratings. Only biopsy can accurately diagnose. On Sept 10 I was given a 5 rating and told to go home and prepare for the worst. I've spent the last 9 weeks living in fear and anxiety with test after test coming back unable to give me a definitive answer because of that initial rating. On Oct 28 I had a wire-guided excisional breast biopsy. FINALLY got results this past Friday. After so much worrying over that bi-rads 5 rating, it turned out to be a B9 extensively hyalinized fibroadenoma. High suspicion in original testing was due to its degenerative appearance. Best of luck to you, and please let me know how things turn out.
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I know there are a percentage of birads five lumps that are benign, but I just can't feel like mine is one of them. It looks like cancer in every way, it's not movable, angular, no margins, and the sonogram shows the incread bloodfow around the tumor. I have moments that. I think it could be b9, but then I feel like I'm in denial. I can't imagine waiting as long as you did, i just hope the results are conclusive. Sorry I just can't be positive, it takes too much eenergy. I'm at a low point.
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I cannot speak from experience, but I do have 3 aunts currently dealing with breast cancers (2 blood-related, 1 not). They all told me that, once they received a firm diagnosis and treatment plan, a lot of their fears diminished. Instead of feeling helpless & lost, they were able to gain back some control and move forward. They claimed the waiting process was one of the hardest. As of today, all 3 are doing very well...one just became a grandmother! I hope the same for you Ewt717. Please let me know how things go for you. Sending hugs to you.
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Hi, y'all. I feel ya, ewt717. So sorry it is taking so long to get the results back. Waiting is agony and I can certainly empathize with your feelings swinging back and forth like a pendulum. That seems pretty natural to me. Nobody can be upbeat ALL the time. I'm hoping the reason you haven't responded since the 9th is because you are cancer free and have moved on with your life!
I feel pretty whack to tell the truth. Spent all day yesterday down in the hospital district visiting a breast surgeon, a reconstructive surgeon and our local support organization, Joan Katz Breast Center. I have to say that everybody has bent over backwards to be accommodating. It was just a very long day and a lot of information to take in, in a very short period of time.
I'll be having a bilateral mastectomy on Dec. 2nd after a sentinel node dye injection on the 1st. I have opted to wait for the reconstruction until March. I'm on the heavy side and the reconstructive doc said he do the surgery if I wanted, but that I would end up with much bigger replacement boobs than I'd hoped.
I plan to get some more weight off and do the DIEP flap in March.
Right now, the breast surgeon said that I probably will not have to have radiation or chemo because we caught it so soon, unless there is a surprise in the sentinel node biopsy. All very positive news.
Hope all goes well for everybody. I'll still be around and posting somewhere.
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Our thoughts go out to all of you waiting and those with results. All our best thoughts and (((HUGS))) to you all. It is a very tough time.
The Mod
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Got my news. It's breast cancer. But I got to see a surgeon today, which it great not to wait longer!! There was a cancellation so I'm feeling blessed. It's going to be fine. Just a little bump in the road of life.
It's IDC 1cm, ER+/PR+ HER2-
They want MRI, genetic testing, and to see the onc before deciding on what kind of surgery. I'm 40 so I have a lot of years left and not near menopause so a lot to consider.
I'll try to attach a pic
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so if you can see the pic, that's the tumor, vascular activity, and nearby lymphnode. I think it's pretty impressive -
Dear Ewt717, sorry it is C, but now you can start researching your actual problem and talk with other IDC members in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma) area.
Reliable information on IDC — Invasive Ductal Carcinoma where you'll learn about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, etc.
Possibly of interest too is the Oncotype DX Test
We hope this helps!
The Mods
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Oh ewt, I'm sorry, not the outcome we wanted for you, but that is an impressive pic! I am very pleased you finally have an answer, and that you will be moving forward now with options to consider. Let us know how you're getting on.
All the very best!
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Ewt717, just checking in this morning and was so hoping to see good news from you. So sorry you did not get the outcome for which you were hoping. I like your positive attitude - 'just a little bump in the road of life'. I wish you a speedy path to recovery.
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HI, Ewt717, sorry to hear the news, but, I'm with you: this is just one small bump in the road. I am fortunate enough to just have a mild case of breast cancer. Nothing a double mastectomy and maybe a little hormone therapy can't handle. Then, I'll be getting on with the rest of my life.
Chin up, Buttercup. Better days are just around the corner. That's what I figure. No reason to assume anything else at this point. -
I'm sorry for your news Ewt. It sounds like you have an excellent plan and and even better attitude.
Wishing you all the best from here on out!
Cate
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you are in my thoughts as i am reading this!! also twolumps. I like your outlook on this. The waiting is over, now you ca get a game plan.
please keep is posted on your progress... ((((hugs))))
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Thanks, Lynette73. Surgery day can't get here fast enough. Ready for this to be over with and moving on! ((((Big Hugs)))) to y'all, too! I'll be around.
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two lumps, are you going to get a bilateral mastectomy? was lumpectomy an option? is it scheduled soon? our cases are very similar, but they wanted me to get an MRI and meet with the oncologists before scheduling surgery. so now I'm waiting for that. I hope to have surgery before Dec 18 so I have the time off work for the holidays, but I don't know if that is realistic at this rate since my MRI is not until next tues. and I met the oncologists th first week of December. the surgeon wanted to do genetic testing too. I think it's because they could do a lumpectomy but might want to recommend mastectomy and want to gather the information to see if that's warranted. how old are you, and was that a factor in your treatment plan?
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Hi, ewt717. First (easiest!) answer: I am soon to be 57 in January.
I never for a moment considered a lumpectomy. I am older. I have had years to consider what my choice would be if faced with breast cancer. I have also had large breasts which get in my way since I was 8. I knew before I saw my BS that I wanted a bilat mastectomy. So was my age a factor? I'd say yes. I've already had my babies and nursed them. My DDD's are nothing but unsightly hindrances to me now. (How is that for unvarnished truth?)
All that being said, my BS didn't really consider me a good candidate for lumpectomy anyway because I have two suspicious spots on my right breast, one of which was biopsied and showed ductal hyperplasia (a possible BS precursor) and one which was not. At a minimum, if I had decided on a mastectomy or lumpectomy on the left, I would have had the second spot on the right biopsied and quite possibly would have still ended up with a bilat. I just cut to the chase.
I am so sorry things are not as clear cut for you at this point. If it's any consolation at all, I received a call from a medical oncologist's office yesterday. That was a shock. I thought we were waiting on the sentinel node biopsy to determine a course of action. I had been told all along there was a good chance I would dodge the chemo bullet and almost certain I would not have to do radiation. Now I've discovered that the sentinel node is the only determining factor. Back to a state of limbo. I hate limbo! Point is, ewt717, I feel you. I don't like being up in the air.
I have a mantra I repeat when I can't go to sleep or wake up at 3 in the morning and can't sleep: "All things work for the good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose." If you're a Christian, I recommend it. If you're not, you've still got to believe that all those good things you have sent out into the world will come back to you when you need it the most, right?
Warmest regards, ewt717. I'll be looking for your posts. Don't forget to breathe. ((((hugs))))!!!
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thanks for the reply two lumps. I have my Mri this tues, hopefully that will give some answers and hopefully results ll be back for my first appt with the mo. I'm getting nervous about getting the surgery in before my break from school so I have time to recouperate but at the same time, I don't want to Rush decision without all the information either. Then I start feeling sad that I have to do this at all. I'm 40, and thankfully have my kids , but didn't think this would happen.
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So thankful that maybe you'll get a few more pieces to the puzzle tomorrow. I understand the urgency you feel to get this done as quickly as possible so that you'll miss as little school as possible. My deductible starts over in January. I also understand not wanting to rush into anything, too. I've opted to delay reconstruction.
I'll be thinking about you tomorrow....
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