Waiting to see breast specialist worried

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kim575
kim575 Member Posts: 40
edited December 2015 in Waiting for Test Results

Hi all,

I keep coming back to these boards hoping for some insight. I had a mammo and ultrasound last week, first time. I thought I felt a lump in my left breast and my nipple in that breast is changing as well... Puckering when I'm not cold, and stretching upwards. Long story short, they didn't see anything where I thought I felt something but I do have a lump underneath my nipple. My report says that it is likely benign, perhaps a fibroadenoma. It's .8 x .5 x .8 cm and wider than it is tall, they gave me a bi-rads rating of 4b. I have an appointment to see the specialist on the 15th. I might need a biopsy. I have no history of bc in my family. Anyone here have similar problems? I am worried because of the nipple changes and because I did not initially have pain but have been getting shooting pains since the mammo where the lump is. Please please respond. Even if you tell me you have no clue lol the waiting and wondering and googling is torture! Thanks so much!

Kim 😬

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  • kim575
    kim575 Member Posts: 40
    edited December 2015

    Anyone?

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  • BarredOwl
    BarredOwl Member Posts: 2,433
    edited December 2015

    Hi Kim:

    Sorry you didn't get any responses. I have no clue about fibrocystic disease. The waiting and wondering IS the worst.

    Bi-Rads 4B by mammogram is deemed "Category4B: Moderate suspicion for malignancy", so I agree that a biopsy is likely. Be sure to request a copy of the radiologist's actual report (not a form letter), with his recommendations and various observations. You will want to compare the recommendation with what the specialist recommends to you, and ask about any observations of concern.

    Hopefully, it is benign!

    BarredOwl

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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited December 2015

    Welcome!!

    Smile

    Please, do yourself a HUGE favor, and stay OFF of Dr. Google! The info that you get from Google will only confuse and frighten you....not good.
    I know that the 15th is over a week away, but try to find some things to distract you. Honestly, the waiting is the hardest part!! It's awful. Find things that you enjoy doing and do them! Don't let yourself sit around and just wait.
    A biopsy is really the only way to know for sure what you have. If you do end up needing one, it's not bad at all. It's a fairly quick and painless procedure. Of course, then you'll be waiting AGAIN for the results, but that's just the way it goes. Lots and lots of waiting.

    I'm sorry that you have to go through, I know it's not fun! ((((Hugs)))) and lots of prayers being said that your results are GOOD!

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  • kim575
    kim575 Member Posts: 40
    edited December 2015

    Thanks so much guys! It is nice to have someplace to go to share my concerns. I think I will be ok. The one thing that bugs me the most that I can't find a lot online about is my nipple changing shape. That's where the lump/nodule is and it's like my areola is spreading out on top but also looks puckered. Can a benign issue cause all that?

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited December 2015

    I think you will probably end up with a biopsy of this lump. Nipple changes *can* be a symptom of BC, but it's not a foregone conclusion. The only way to know is to biopsy it. Then you and your doctor can decide what the next step will be. That could include excision of the lump or just leaving it alone, if it's not cancer. I know you're worried and I completely understand. I would be worried too. But next week will be here before you know it. Stay strong.

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  • Mamiya
    Mamiya Member Posts: 432
    edited December 2015

    I would call the specialist (breast surgeon?) office and tell them that you are anxious and would like to be called if they have a cancellation between now and your appointment so they would call you if somehow they can get you in earlier. Just an idea that has worked for me in the past. Best of luck to you!

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  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 377
    edited December 2015

    Thinking of you. Please stop googling. Most of the info is outdated and just plain wrong. Call your PCP and get a prescription for aniexty or sleeping , if you need it. They will certainly understand.

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  • kim575
    kim575 Member Posts: 40
    edited December 2015

    Thank you so much for reading and responding! I think that calling to see if they have a cancellation is a good call. I'm always afraid of being a pest but since I am now having pain in that nipple and it looked like it was starting to point downwards compared to the other one that maybe I should call. I was pretty annoyed that I couldn't get in until the 15th and I had called on the 3rd. It doesn't help that they're closed on Fridays 😖 I have been trying to distract myself and my boyfriend has been off work so at least I'm not home alone. Im between jobs right now so I think I have way too much time on my hands lol. Also I'm 40 so even though I am on the younger end of the scale I know I am not too young to have the big c. Eek! Just typing that felt crazy to me! Anyway thanks for the support I really appreciate it!

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  • windingshores
    windingshores Member Posts: 704
    edited December 2015

    Definitely call for a cancellation. And ask if you should call every morning and at what time- usually 10am or so. Just getting on a cancellation list doesn't work as well as calling every day, in my experience :) Tell them it is Birads4b and you need to know soon, that the biopsy will mean more waiting etc.

    I had a mastectomy on my right but had a lot of painful sensations on my left, near the nipple. They did a second mastectomy at my request (this had been the intention from the start, my surgeon just wanted me to do one at a time) and sure enough there was a very large cyst right under the nipple.

    Your lump may be benign. Still a possibility. Whatever it is, it is still small.

    At this stage of the game I, a veteran researcher (!) took walks and watched Netflix. I did buy a general book about cancer (Mayo Clinic) after a positive biopsy. There is a time when research online is helpful- for decisions about chemo for instance, but first find out what you are dealing with.

    I also, like others, got a medication for sleep. I only took 1/4 of a pill, and only twice, but knowing I had it helped a lot.




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  • 614
    614 Member Posts: 851
    edited December 2015

    Dear Kim:

    I wish you the best.  I am sending you hugs, prayers, and positive thoughts. 

    I hope that you can get an earlier appointment but if not, good luck on the 15th.  A biopsy is necessary if you have a bi-rads 4b rating but 80% of the time the lump is benign.  I hope that your biopsy will be scheduled on the 15th or before, and not just your appointment with the specialist.  If you are not sure, please call the doctor's office and request that they schedule a biopsy along with your consultation.  An order for a biopsy from the doctor in advance will save time.  Otherwise, you may have to wait even longer to have your biopsy.  The waiting and wondering is the definition of anxiety, and it may actually be the worst part of this whole ordeal. 

    Please get copies of your pathology report and not just the form letter as Barred Owl stated.

    Good luck.

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  • kim575
    kim575 Member Posts: 40
    edited December 2015

    So I called and tried to see if there were any cancellations but there weren't and he only sees patients three days a week 😁 Then I did some research and called another specialist's office but she is currently on vacation. Looks like I'll be waiting til the 15th. Which is coming up soon enough I guess. My nipple really doesn't look right to me. It's continuing to change and pucker and now it feels funny too, like thickened or something. I did request a refill of my Xanax so hopefully my dr comes thru for me with that. I've been scaring the shit out of myself reading about Paget's and ibc, although truthfully I don't really have those symptoms, no redness itchiness or warmth. Sorry just needed to vent a little, I won't be happy til I see this guy and get this biopsy over with! Thanks for reading!

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  • kim575
    kim575 Member Posts: 40
    edited December 2015

    PS I do have a copy of the radiologists report with his recommendations and since the specialist is connected to the hospital I went to, he will be able to pull everything up in the system so I don't have to get disks or other stuff. Which is nice.

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  • 614
    614 Member Posts: 851
    edited December 2015

    At least that will be a relief.  Good luck on the 15th.

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  • Ddw79
    Ddw79 Member Posts: 533
    edited December 2015

    wishing you the best and sending hopeful

    Hugs

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  • Lberny
    Lberny Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2015

    Hi kim575,

    My mum had her mammogram 2 weeks ago and her biopsy on Wednesday. Our results/app should be on the 15th too (if they're ready)

    This waiting has been agony!!

    We're going through the same thing, you're not alone. Stay strong and keep positive. Xx

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  • Skittlegirl
    Skittlegirl Member Posts: 428
    edited December 2015

    My surgeon also only sees patients 3 days a week since he is operating the other 2 days.

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  • kim575
    kim575 Member Posts: 40
    edited December 2015

    Thank you everyone for your kind words of encouragement! They were really so very helpful! <3


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