Waiting for Follow Up Appt

MabelJo · December 2015

I am 38 (almost 39) - due to my family history, I had my first mammogram (I call it the "smoosh n squish") at 34. I also had an ultrasound as well due to some concern I thought maybe was happening in my right breast. Both came back negative, and that was that. Doctor said to start doing them again in a few years.

Last year, due to another hit in the family, she said let's start doing them now. I was 37. Unfortunately I did not get to it for another year. Earlier this week I went in. Let me tell you, I got a surprise.

While it may be nothing, they are asking me to follow up with more images as well as an ultrasound of both.

Findings: Right breast: There is a questionable focal asymmetry in the outer central breast, posterior depth.

Left breast: There are new calcifications with some associated density in the lower central breast, middle depth. There is a possible mass posterior to these calcifications, best seen on cc tomo image 21/97

Let me tell you I am scared a bit! I am trying to do some research to figure out what this all means but its a bit confusing. Anything from my doctors office just is telling me its normal to want more pictures and it doesn't necessarily mean there is anything. Everything I have read about calcifications is that if they were macro, they wouldn't worry and not request anything...

Would love some thoughts. Thank you!

MelissaDallas · December 2015

They very well may look on different views and decide they aren't concerning at all when seen from different angles. A "questionable asymmetry" can even be a skin fold or something that "compresses out" when they do the new pictures. Almost everyone develops micro-calcifications as they age and if it they do not form specific patterns they aren't concerning. Even if it turns out that you need a biopsy better than 80% of them are benign. Hang in there and try not to worry until you know there is something to worry about

Anonymous · December 2015

Hi MabelJo, sorry you had to be here but glad you found a place that is safe, non-judgmental and informative. I can only agree with your doc office that it does not necessarily mean anything but they want to rule out 'stuff' just in case. Better safe than sorry that nothing was done and it turned out more images should have been taken.

Others will probably chime in to give you encouragement. Meanwhile, treat yourself to something nice and try not to read too much on Dr Google.

LisaAlissa · December 2015

Hi MabelJo!

You have even better odds than Melissa mentioned! This is from the Imaginis site, which has additional info about the screening process:

On the above diagram, note that your goal is to fail to be advanced farther "up" the diagram. Each one is a narrower group of people. You didn't "fail" the first screen (you were in the 10% of people who had a Screening Mammogram, and are being sent on for a diagnostic workup/additional diagnostic mammograms/ultrasound/MRI).

Of all of that 10% screened who are sent to a diagnostic workup (where you are now), only 25% are sent on to a biopsy--that is, 75% people "fall out" of the screen at that point.

Of the 25% who are sent on to biopsy (not your category yet!) 80% will be told their biopsy doesn't show cancer.

You're early in the screening process. There are at least two distinct layers of screening you'd have to get through before you could even have the possibility of a cancer diagnosis.

I know it's easy to worry, but really. Try not to borrow trouble that isn't yours yet.

Hope you fail to advance in the diagnostic process very, very soon!

LisaAlissa

MabelJo · January 2016

Update:

Follow up mammogram with ultrasound of my left breast. Right looked fine in the follow up images but still seeing stuff in left.

Result:

Two distinct nodules in left breast, calcification (micro in clusters) present. Also, lymph node on that side looks unusual - possible mass on it. It definitely was not normal looking, even I could see that.

Scheduled biopsy for the 2 locations as well as the lymph node for Wednesday. He is highly suspicious and definitely concerned. He didn't say it directly, but he suspects cancer.

One step at a time I guess.

kaylynn · January 2016

That is what i am going in for on monday.need extra views and US. I have been waiting a month so i cant wait for monday to find out more. I could see mine on the mammogram pretty quickly but it still maybe nothing at all

MabelJo · January 2016

Biopsy Update:

Lymph node clear of cancer. Called it a reactive lymph node.

2 other biopsys - technically clear of cancer, but showed breast nuclear atypia, both of them

I now I have to go in for an excisional biopsy to remove the 1-2 inch area to determine if I have DCIS and how bad it is.

More annoyed that nothing is confirmed or denied yet.

Vi67 · January 2016

Hello, I am new to this forum, just joined it and I am so thankful I found it . It is so informative and uplifting in a way.

My 3D mammogram was done on 12/23, it took 2 weeks to hear from my GYN and the news was "they found a distortion in your L breast, and you need to go for a f/u U/S" (that was on 1/6/16). I thought that they will schedule my appointment the same day or even a week, but they did not have an opening until 1/22. All I have been doing is googling, reading, worrying and praying. Did not tell my husband and children, decided to wait until U/S results.

I also contacted another Radiology place to see if they can see me sooner.

As to symptoms:

1. 2014 in August labs were done and my Vit D was low, much below the range, I think 17. I was put on high dose and brought it up to 33 this year......within a range but on the low side

2. For a few months....maybe more than just few....I have been having this "extra fat and more skin" in my L armpit. I did gain weight and was thinking that was the reason, somehow it looked strange, but my L breast was always slightly larger, in addition I have been having a lot of spasms in my upper back, lot of bumps that with massage go away for a few days. In addition to that I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, L worse and some compression of the ulnar nerve which travels from C7 and T1 vertebrae of the cervical (neck) and thoracic (middle back)....that's another reason I was not rushing ...waited for my annual...well 16 mos later since last. Oh, almost forgot, I have over 20 year history fibrocystic,breasts, again with L being worse.....And my last mammo was negative

3. My left breast is more tender before period

4. As I read in some posts, especially now after, I found that some ladies when get emotional get some kind of tenderness, shooting or sharp pain..I noted that this also happens to me

5. Even being a nurse, I was thinking " cancer does not hurt, if it is movable, it's not cancer, unless is mets".....

I learned so much from this forum and "google university"

I will follow up with my story....and wish all the Best

Logang · January 2016

Vi67: Is there a comprehensive breast center near you? I had to wait 3wks for what I thought would only be a biopsy of a large palpable mass that diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound at my local hospital confirmed as suspicious. When I went for my appt, they reviewed all my old films and wanted additional views of the other breast. I ended up getting 4 regular mammogram views, a 3d mammogram, ultrasound, and an MRI with contrast before they finally did the biopsy on the palpable mass Unfortunately my results showed IDC. I go back this Tuesday for 2 biopsies on the left and an ultrasound/possible biopsy of my right axilla nodes. I am so glad my GYN pushed me to go where I did! I wish you luck! BTW, I am a nurse too!

Moderators · January 2016

Hi Vi67,

Welcome to the community!

We hope you find the support and information on the boards helpful as you move through your recovery.

Let us know if you have questions or need help with anything.

Kind wishes,

The Moderators.

Gilberto_Farthing · January 2016

Don't get annoyed!! You have to be a strong person so that you can definitely able to win the fight. Sending you positive thoughts.....

Vi67 · January 2016

Logang: I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis, any news on L breast ultrasound and biopsy/ R axilla biopsy?

It is so disappointing that with so many testing and radiology centers we have to wait. Waiting 1 day , mentally seems like an eternity.

I did find another place, and had an ultrasound on Wednesday, now waiting again. Should know something on Monday, god willing.

Wish you all the best

Vi67 · January 2016

Gilberto: Thank you

Vi67 · January 2016

MabelJo: any news?

Vi67 · January 2016

Karlyrie: any news? I know the waiting "game" is so hard

kaylynn · January 2016

I had extra views done and the radiologist said well lets do the ultrasound. Then all went weird. uS Tech came in and said you have to go see your dr for results. My dr blocked the RO from talking to me. I went to my dr and he said they they found more in US and i need a excisional biopsy. That it cant be done with a needle. All He said was it was small. So been waiting 2 weeks to get into breast surgeon. I know nothingother than it wasnt what i saw on first test. It is a mass against the chest wall. I go tuesday then wait who knows how long for biopsy. So tired of waiting

Logang · January 2016

Vi67: They cleared my left breast and the lymph node from the right axilla. I am scheduled for my right mastectomy on 1/25. Hope the lymph nodes are all clear! I still plan to pursue a prophylactic left mastectomy, but my surgeon wants to wait until any treatment I need is completed to avoid any unnecessary complications. So the plan is to take the left and begin reconstruction at that time. I wish everyone luck as they wait. My breast center had my results on the morning of day 3 both times I had biopsies. Both were on Tuesdays and had results on Friday. I am glad I suffered through the initial waiting period to get into the breast center. They have been very thorough and moving things along quickly.

Vi67 · January 2016

Logang: Thank god your L breast and R axilla nodes were cleared. Your breast center works really fast. My prayers are with you, God bless.

MabelJo · February 2016

Update:

Had my excisional biopsy done yesterday. I now feel like I drank the beer truck and then got run over by it. Hangover without the booze, not fair!

Of course my procedure wouldn't be MY procedure without something being not normal. Due to the location of my masses (6 o'clock position on the breast) it meant getting my wires in was a bit of a chore.

Normally, they would have you sit for it, but for me, again, because the wires had to be placed on the underside of my breast, I had to stand. For 30 minutes. Lovely. After getting the first, and the hardest to place wire almost in, the radiologist hit something that instantly made me nauseous. As I focused on trying not to barf, I realised, no, am not going to throw up, I am going to pass out!

I basically started saying to the tech and the radiologist "going down, going down!" And started sagging. With my boob still in the machine.

Let me tell you, nothing more attractive than winding up on your back, with a wire sticking out of your bare breast, your legs being held up by your male radiologist, all while wearing a very short hospital gown....and disposable undies.

Long story short, recovered, got the other wire in, off to surgery. Removed my 2 areas in one lump and now we wait. Follow up on the 12th.

Logang · February 2016

MabelJo: Wow! What an ordeal. Glad to see I'm not the only one that things go haywire for! I had a reaction to the chloraprep they cleansed with prior to my mastectomy. I had a rash all over my right arm, chest, and abdomen that looked like a really bad case of poison ivy! I kept asking, who's allergic to chloraprep? lol. I'm a nurse and I have never had a patient with that allergy! Good luck and wishes for a speedy recovery!

Waiting for Follow Up Appt

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