Darn it! After a long wait....

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Bendi
Bendi Member Posts: 50
edited September 2015 in Waiting for Test Results

had to wait for ten days for my core biopsy...and today was the day. Got there, in the chair with breast in mammo machine, pics taken, doc checking things out, freezing done and then.....they could not longer see the calcifications in all dimensions....

I had a choice, stop the procedure or try to get some samples. I choose to try for samples. They took four but found no calcifications in the samples (they were xrayed). They took more pics and tried again, but nothing. They will send the samples for testing. If they show nothing I will have to return for a surgical biopsy. If they show something then I guess I will be back for a larger sample....

I almost cried when I heard them whispering in the background....darn it, more waiting.

How could they lose the calcifications in such a tiny breast? ;)

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Comments

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited March 2015

    I don't have any answers for you, Bendi, but can certainly understand the frustration and dismay and wanted to send you some virtual support. Here's hoping the path. lab will be able to work with what's there. Hang in there.

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2015

    thanks....I honestly thought I was handling the stress well, but when I went in I was sweating and I NEVER sweat! No need for the wonderful heated blankets they offered...

    I emailed my family doctor with what happened, maybe she will have some insight for me.

    Maybe it's a good thing they could not see anything

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited March 2015

    Bendi, I hope it is a good sign. Again, so sorry for the undue stress in an already difficult situation. Let's hope it pays off in good news, and soon.


  • Cmo65
    Cmo65 Member Posts: 96
    edited March 2015

    Maybe that'll be a good sign. My radiologist told me that benign masses can come and go. Be well.

    Christine

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2015

    sadly the calcifications were there and visible just before they numbed the breast. The numbing agent seemed to blur or block them in some dimensions. As the radiologist said they are very, very small. I don't know what eels they were murmuring about....I will likely be back.

    Doc got right back to me, she is the best, and she will let mr know as soon as she hears anything.

  • Wrinklequeen
    Wrinklequeen Member Posts: 45
    edited March 2015

    bendi,

    Do you need a core needle biopsy, or a surgical biopsy? I had the core needle biopsy, and it wasn't bad at all.

    Let us know when you get scheduled & when you hear something! :)

    Sending prayers your way!

    Hugs & Love & Prayers,

    Wrinklequeen

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2015

    wrinkle queen, I did have a core biopsy, five samples taken BUT because they could not locate the calcifications I may have to return for a surgical biopsy.

    I agree, the core biopsy was easy and comfortable. I could not even feel the needles to freeze the breast. The team was amazing and I felt spoiled and pampered.

  • Chanty
    Chanty Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2015

    That is super frustrating, I'm so sorry. I do hope, as some ladies said above, that it's a good thing they couldn't find them! On the upside, I'm happy you have a great team, that can truly make a world of difference when you're going through something like this!

    Good luck, and keep us updated!

  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited March 2015

    Bendi, the radiologists really struggled during biopsy & during wire localization. ( before lumpectomy ). My tumor was small. Also mine was lobular, it grows different than ductal & much more difficult to find.

    Did you get a birad score from your mammo?

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2015

    no, I did not see my mammo results, just emailed my doc and she forwarded the forms for the biopsy. Not knowing my score is good for me, less stress.

    When I get the results of this test I will then ask for more information but honestly I really don't want this to occupy all my thoughts for at least a few days

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2015

    ok, it is occupying my thoughts! Even though it was not a good biopsy and know it will. We'd doing again, I still jump every time the phone rings....what is the matter with me? I should not be so worried/concerned.....this could be so much worse.

    And, darn it, I cannot drink.....or eat gluten.....or sugar.....

    What's a girl to do.

  • roorooep
    roorooep Member Posts: 62
    edited March 2015

    Hi Bendi,

    It happens! I recently underwent a stereotactic core biopsy for calcifications. They did a biopsy of only one of 2 areas that had calcs. When the results came back with ADH and flat epithelial atypia they suggested the other area also have a stereotatctic biopsy. Pre stereo they did another mammogram and found a 3rd area of calcs . So after the second area had a core biopsy they tried but could not reconstruct the 3rd area for biopsy, and yes I too have very small breasts. Hopefully it is a positive sign. Thankfully my second biopsy was negative, now I wait for an excisional biopsy. Wishing you the best!

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2015

    thanks roorooep, I hate the waiting game but who doesn't ......

    I will not wish time away, results will come soon enough and we will,proceed from there.

    Gardening really helped me today!

  • Curlykat
    Curlykat Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2015

    Bendi, I was told that my radiologist didn't use lidocaine for my needle localization (excisional biopsy) exactly because it can make things harder to see. I was lucky, though, he did a great job with the needle and I didn't have any pain.

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2015

    all five benign! They did see some calcifications so I might not have to have the surgical biopsy after all.

    So happy! Email at ten pm from my doc, told you she was great!

  • libra79
    libra79 Member Posts: 64
    edited March 2015

    ThumbsUpcongrats bendi on ur b9 results tht is wonderful news

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2015

    thank you, and best of luck for those waiting on results!

  • liveit56
    liveit56 Member Posts: 196
    edited March 2015

    good you got B9 results.

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2015

    after lots of waiting my doctor thinks it is best to send me to speak with a surgeon. She has not been able to contact the radiologist (holidays?) to determine whether the original biopsies were actually taken from the right spot and I am hoping the surgeon can review and advise. I just want some finality, either yes they got the correct spot or no let's do a surgical biopsy....hate hanging on a thread.

    Now I just have to wait for that consultation.....

  • roorooep
    roorooep Member Posts: 62
    edited April 2015

    Bendi,

    Hope your consultation comes soon! I am finally having a wired guided excisional biopsy of my calcs in the am. I hope this time there will be no problem finding them.Wishing you the best and hope yours and mine remain B9!

  • Sunbeams
    Sunbeams Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2015

    hi Bendi, I am very new here. I'd be curious to know what your symptoms were initially or is this not the right topic area to post that? Thank you.

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited April 2015

    thanks for your thoughts everyone. My doctor was finally able to get a hold ofthe radiologist and he felt confident that the samples taken were the right location so all I need is a follow up mammo gram in six months. Just hearing that was a relief.

    Sunbeams, I had no symptoms, no lumps...nothing. Microcalcs do not form lumps I believe. They were seen in my annual mammogram and confirmed on a second mammogram.

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited April 2015

    That's great news, Bendi. Many thanks for the update.

    Enjoy your weekend!

  • Sunbeams
    Sunbeams Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2015

    Oh Bendi, what great news for you. You are a ray of hope.   I see the surgeon tomorrow morning. My mamo was negative, but my doctor wants more tests and has forwarded me. Not sure what test (s) they will perform. Hoping to have more concrete information but I have learned from the forum it is never fast coming.

    Again, congrats Bendi on such good news.

  • roorooep
    roorooep Member Posts: 62
    edited April 2015

    Bendi,

    I am so happy for you! I received my results as well and thankfully they too were B9. My only concern is similar to yours having had a misplaced clip prior to the giopsy. Hopefully I will be reassured at my upcoming appointment.

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited July 2015

    well, I just got a phone call from my doctors office. They had just received a letter from the BC cancer agency wondering if I had a follow up with a surgeon...WTF!!!

    The letter said I had a failed biopsy at royal columbian hospital in Vancouver.....ummmm, no I had mine at royal inland hospital in kamloops. The lady I spoke with listened to my story and said something is not right here and is requesting a surgeon review my files. Just when I had let this go it has reared it's ugly head.

    Darn it all. I am sure it's just a clerical error but the words "failed biopsy" hit hard as that is what I was originally told but after weeks of asking the radiologist said it was ok....hmmm.

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited July 2015

    ok, now my doctor has called. She said that she has reviewed all my tests and it all looks fine. She will call the cancer agency tomorrow to find out what this letter is about, thinking that somehow my information was mixed with someone else's.

    Regardless she will refer me to a surgeon to be safe. I am not at all worried.

  • 614
    614 Member Posts: 851
    edited July 2015


    Dear Bendi:

    Please request your pathology report.  That is accurate.  The letters are computer driven and may not be correct.  The letters cause anxiety and needless worry.  Have your doctor follow up as well.  Good luck.  I will pray for you and for positive, non anxiety provoking results and information.

     

  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited August 2015

    thanks 614

    I have been waiting for the referral to see a surgeon to go over things....waiting and waiting. Today I went with hubby to the doctors office as he had a small mole to be removed and my doctor to saw me in the waiting room and flagged me over (have I said before how much I adore her) and asked if I had seen the surgeon, I told her I had not heard from them and she told me it said on my file that I had missed an appointment on July 29. Puzzled, I said no I have not heard from them.....wonder if they have my correct phone number. She called them right then and sure enough they had a wrong number. Now really, how can that happen. They mistook sevens for ones. They immediately rescheduled me for tomorrow. Yippee! But some poor soul is getting messages to see a surgeon......

    This whole thing has been rife with errors and miscommunications.....time to get to the bottom of things, finally.


  • Bendi
    Bendi Member Posts: 50
    edited August 2015

    great surgeon, all is good until next mamo...

    Good luck to everyone who is waiting

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