Newbie waiting for futher tests.

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kaylynn
kaylynn Member Posts: 124
edited February 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

Hi I am a newbie also,49 yr old waiting on grouped microcalcifications that were noticed 9 years ago on my first mamo,They watched them every 6 months for a fews years and they seemed to stay ungrouped.I went last year for a mammo,i had noticed a lump a few days before but it didn't snow up on it.Report came back dense breast.I decided to go to a breast surgeon in Feb 2015 to get a second opinion and she did an ultrasound and said no problem just a lipoma.Anyway back to Nov 30 2015 I had a mammogram and when I went back to the screen to ask a question about the enlarged lymph node I found out about that they had been watching for a few years,she showed it to me and said that was normal,but then I saw a large spot of micocalcifications that were in a tight cluster and said oh no those aren't suppose to do that.I knew I would get the call back.I don't remember them being like that last year and no mention of it from the breast specialist.The radiologist states a 6cm area right breast frontal. I am scheduled for a few close up mammogram views and an ultra sound right after.I am told I cant go back to see the breast specialist until these tests are done.Which I know is what she would do anyway.I also noticed a darkening of my skin like a light bruise color on the area in question,didnt think anything of it until the mammogram came back bad.I have had pain in the armpit lymph area also. I am going for the next tests Jan 4th,dont judge but I have a 2,500 deductible and my obgyn thought I could wait a month. I am a 10 yr adenocarcinoma cervical gland survivor and after recommended hysterectomy squamous cancer cells were found forming in the uterus. I was lucky both were caught early enough,no lymph node involvement so no treatments.So the waiting and many tests is not uncommon to me,nor the diagnosis of cancer.But it sure is scary.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2015

    Hi Karly, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

    We just wanted to stop by and say Hi and let you know we're thinking of you and hoping for the best! Please keep ups posted on how your results turn out -- we're all here for you no matter what the result!

    --The Mods

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited December 2015

    If anyone needs to be “judged" it's maybe the doc who told you it was ok to wait (though bc doesn't grow that fast). As far as the deductible, they could have done a little fancy footwork billing-wise unless the bean counters are sticklers.

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited December 2015

    7 more days until my appointment,what a long month this has been!


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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited December 2015

    Yup,I have a 2,600 deductible each year. Zero is paid until I meet that.Except for a yearly exam and a mammogram. And even a mammogram wont be covered after this if I have to have a diagnostic one.But my CEO is a millionaire now that he has cut benefits and raised costs.


    I am a bit confused how the spot got to 6cm so quickly.(hoping the nurse read mm as cm) I noticed it right away on the screen. So my mind is saying it is nothing, that cancer wouldn't grow that fast. I tried to get the report on a medical portal but I can only see blood tests.

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  • LifeAloft
    LifeAloft Member Posts: 150
    edited December 2015

    I hear ya, huge deductible here too, but they were so concerned with mine that I had to have everything done...the last week of the year. So I'll be paying that, and then my deductible for next year.  I don't have that money laying around and will likely have to take time off here and there once/if I'm officially diagnosed (Birads 5). So even less money in my pocket. It definitely adds to my stress, but not much I can do about it, they will just have to take payments. 

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited December 2015

    I am assuming,,,,probably should never do that with dr's but when I asked my ob gyn office if I could wait they had looked at the report and the birads was low? I know the nurse had a report not sure if that report had a birad rating,and I didn't know there was such a thing until to coming here.

    I do have short term disability insurance if that ever comes into play.

    Lifealoft birad 5,ouch yes I would not wait if they told me that.have you had a boipsy yet?

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  • Djabi53
    Djabi53 Member Posts: 184
    edited December 2015

    Hello - I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you and wishing good results for you. You have found a good place to "wait". Many of us are in waiting situations for a variety of reasons. Last year I waited for 90 days while they tested me for breast cancer and endometrial cancer.

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  • LifeAloft
    LifeAloft Member Posts: 150
    edited December 2015

    Karlyrie, yes, I had the biopsy last Wed the 23rd, hoping for results today. 

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited December 2015

    Please, please don't make assumptions about what a particular BIRADs score means for results. The purpose of the score is to indicate the urgency of the biopsy. Not to predict results! Even those who have been given a "5" score can still end up with a B9 result...

    Spending time planning for a cancer diagnosis before your biopsy results are back is like planning for your rehab from a collision with a bus when you see the bus coming down the street. Yes, you might get hit by the bus and need rehab, but why borrow that trouble when it isn't yet yours...

    LisaAliss

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  • LifeAloft
    LifeAloft Member Posts: 150
    edited December 2015

    LisaAlissa, I'm very aware that a 5 could be b9, but the odds are not in my favor by a long shot...Preparing for the worst, hoping for the best, I don't think there is anything wrong with that train of thought. 

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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited December 2015

    LifeAloft.....I agree with you 100%. I'm not saying that you have cancer just because you have a BIRADs 5, but if preparing for the worst while hoping for the best, is what helps you get through.....go for it!

    Waiting for results is one of the hardest parts of this cancer crap so whatever works to get you through, go for it!
    I wish you all the best!

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited December 2015

    Hi LifeAloft. For each of us the odds are 100% or zero...you either have cancer or you don't. Hoping for the best...I get that.

    But the preparing for the worst? That can be dangerous. It can suck all of the joy out of your present. Even paralyze you with anxiety. You'll want to be careful not to spend your time in an imaginary bad future.

    So what preparations do you need to make? You have a doc...maybe make lists? Research the best doc's/treatment centers? You won't get referrals until/unless you get a diagnosis. Create a filing system for cancer-related paperwork? Research all of the possible diagnoses you could get? (Sound almost like a mini Med-School.)

    Unless you're talking about inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), any BC will have been developing for years. You will have time to do those things after a diagnosis. Don't let yourself be rushed into a treatment plan.

    Be concerned, sure...who can help it? But try not to borrow trouble that isn't yours and may never be!

    LisaAlissa


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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited December 2015

    Well I am with Lifealoft,she is being realistic,her head isn't stuck in the sand.The first time I was diagnosed with cancer I felt like i was hit with a brick with the news,because I was told oh it will be nothing.So i was convinced it was nothing.I did not read any reports or read up on it.I never want that feeling again. I would rather be prepared.I didn't have time to decide on treatment,best or worse,side effects.It was all a whirl wind of fast activity.

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  • LifeAloft
    LifeAloft Member Posts: 150
    edited December 2015

    Thank you etnasgrl and Karlyrie, I appreciate your support. 

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2016

    Finally I get to have extra views and US tomorrow. Happy to get it over. Convinced myself it is nothing, you know how we go from oh no it is, no its fine, oh what if. 

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2016

    Had the extra views today. That led to a US. That showed something the views didnt show so i was told to contact my dr for the results if US. My dr wouldn't let the radiologist come talk to me. So i drove to my dr office about 8 minutes away. He said that it found something and that i needed an open cut biopsy and not a needle type. That shocked me. I guess the tumor is far back against the chest wall. Guessing this will be an excisional under general anesthesia. Other than that no details were told to me. I did see during extra views the spot it said 6 mm so not cm. makes more sense. Now i wait again.  

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  • Gilberto_Farthing
    Gilberto_Farthing Member Posts: 49
    edited January 2016

    If there is anything that I can add to the huge support that I am sure you already have. My thoughts and my prayers are with you. All the very best!!!!

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  • Mrsdennis16
    Mrsdennis16 Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2016

    Sending you prayers!! The waiting is the hardest part. I go Thursday to get my results from my two biopsies on the same breast.

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2016

    Update I went to see. Breast surgeon today. Got a shock when they said they might do a biopsy to. I was told it was to close to wall to do needle. But surgeon said I want to do an ultrasound myself and see. US started And she said yup i can do a core biopsy. I will go up from the bottom area and not straight on. I am guessing so they don't accidentally puncture a lung. She also mentioned a spacer can be used to get it away from wall. So she numbed me up and put in a plastic guide so she wasnt driving the needle in all over the place. She took 3 rice size samples. Then she inserted a itty bitty metal marker spring. The needle makes a snap sound each time. Kind of jumps you. It wasnt painfull. It all took about 10 minutes. Then off to another mammogram to make sure the marker and nodule were in the same place. She will call friday with results. Again they did not want to discuss what was being seen and why the biopsy. But i was explained about a new policy of a cancer board where they all meet on thursdays and discuss well you know what they discuss. The rn told me i wouldn't make the next board to be dicussed but the thursday after that. Nice to know but i feel she was preparing me. The local med is wearing off. Raising arm is difficult they wrapped my chest in a wrap for compression has to stay on for 4 hrs. Then sports bra and oh yes the ice. 

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2016

    Update,I had the core biopsy Tuesday,( it seems i had an automated gun biopsy)other than a bit of trouble putting my arm backwards for a few hours no pain,not even a bruise on the breast.I was awake with locals put in to numb the breast(a tooth filling is much worse as in the needles) I was cut with a scalpel to make a small incision that was closed with steri strips.I have to say PMS breasts hurt way worse than the biopsy.

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  • Boyd748
    Boyd748 Member Posts: 149
    edited January 2016

    Hi Karlyrie, what were your findings? Hope B9. Please update.

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2016

    Yes they were b9. But i have to have it removed tomorrow. Will be glad when that is over and those biopsies come back good also.

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  • JACTsMom
    JACTsMom Member Posts: 55
    edited January 2016

    Thinking of you and sending my support and best wishes and hope that all goes well.

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited February 2016

    Update the mass removal path report came back b9,intraductal papilloma.  See ladies it is all scary but some do come back ok.

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