Trying to keep calm, waiting is hard

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reflect
reflect Member Posts: 576
edited March 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

I'm not generally an anxious person but I'm needing to take a lot of deep breaths lately. Since Dec. 18 I've had mammograms (microcalcs), an ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy (ADH), and an MRI. The MRI was last Friday and I picked up results today and they don't look encouraging. In addition to the spiculated mass ("highly suspicious") in my right breast, which we knew about from the other tests, there are additional areas (3) which are "suspicious", and lots of reference to "rapidly enhancing" which is also not good. I know that MRIs are likely to light up benign areas, but WTH. BIRADS 4, with no a,b,c. The plan, prior to the MRI, was for an excisional biopsy of the mass in my right breast. Not sure what the plan will be now. Biopsy the other areas too? The MRI report recommends focused ultrasound with possible biopsy, but I think we already know a biopsy is needed. If I'm going to have surgery on both breast, is it reasonable to ask for lots of tissue to be removed (evenly)? Ironically, I was looking into breast reduction prior to all this.

Does anyone else have similar MRI experience? (BTW I actually fell asleep during the MRI, after a bit of initial trouble breathing b/c I was congested. I recommend an antihistamine!)

Also, I'm not sure how best to participate on these boards. I read other posts and comment if I have something helpful to share, but not sure if/when I should start a new thread. If I get a dx I will join a similar group I suppose.

Breathing.


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  • Affinity42
    Affinity42 Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2016

    My experience has been different but I'm waiting too, (for core Biopsy results). Right there with you on the nervous scale! Hugzzzzz :)

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited January 2016

    Too funny Affinity, I just posted on your thread! ((( HUGS))) to you too. Let us know!

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  • LishLife
    LishLife Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2016

    Not sure how the breast really works yet, but I have regular MRI's as follow up to brain cancer. I had a spot that always "lit up". It turned out to be an old abcess and scar tissue. I share this only to say that there can be other reasons for enhancement. My best to you

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2016

    Yes I agree on the MRI shows more than it knows.So many on here i have read have had things show up and then it turns out nothing and it just the MRI went a bit overactive on its lights.;-)

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  • Affinity42
    Affinity42 Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2016

    I need a hobby! Pat and I are rooting for you 😆

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2016

    I just recently got adult coloring books. Because this being an adult is no fun anymore.It is calming to color and you can go outside the lines and the kids don't make fun of you.

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited January 2016

    Hello gals. Lishlife, thanks for sharing you MRI experience, that is reassuring. Affinity42 and Karlyrie, I need a hobby too. Coloring books for adults are all over Barnes and Noble right now! I also have a Zentangles book around here which is curiously meditative, but ...where could it be?

    Waiting right now for u/s, patient registration, and surgeon's office to get on the same page re my next appointment. It's Monday, no Tuesday, we have Monday., it has to be Tuesday, blah blah...I am a teacher and need a sub!

    Affinity42, hope your core results come today, and are clearly negative. Do keep us posted.

    Cheers.


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  • Affinity42
    Affinity42 Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2016

    I have a meditative coloring book or two (somewhere), I'm literally rearranging everything to keep my mind occupied. Reflect and Karlyrie positive ummm I mean negative thoughts and energy to both if you!

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited January 2016

    Karlyrie, you are waiting for results now? (I got that from another thread) I am thinking "negative" thoughts for you too. Affinity42, is "Pat" your pet name for the suspicious spot? As in Patrick the starfish? Too funny. My big one is "Spiculated" but I just think of it as the f***er. As in, get that f***er outta me.

    Scheduling is settled, Tuesday AM ultrasound guided biopsy--we hope. I guess sometimes it can't be done b/c location but I am hopeful. Long talk with the nurse, sounded like she's assuming it is cancer and that's what I am preparing for. Be thrilled to hear otherwise, but need to hear something definite soon or I'll go mad.

    It's my birthday, and I have the perfect evening planned (for a late middle-ager): take out Chinese and Princess Bride on DVD with my kids (26, 15), husband and maybe a friend or two. Then bed!


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  • Affinity42
    Affinity42 Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2016
    • F $!#er is a wonderful term. I hope you had a wonderful birthday eve! Karlyrie, thinking of you!
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  • Rottiemom33
    Rottiemom33 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2016

    I had a stereotactic biopsy on Wednesday and heard today that the pathologist and radiologist do not agree on the benign findings. So I'll be having an excisional biopsy but have to wait 3 WEEKS for the surgical consult! Wth!!! I need Xanax.

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited January 2016

    Ah, Rottiemom33, this waiting is the hardest. Could they send your slides--or could you have the slides sent--to another lab, preferably one at a breast cancer center? A second (third) opinion from experts could be helpful. This is a common practice from what I hear. Good luck!

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited January 2016

    Any news anyone? Affinity and Karlyrie? I am getting more anxious (u/s biopsy not until Tuesday, unlikely to get anything definitive then.) It's been a month since I started on this carnival ride and it's getting to me. Starting to feel waves of anxiety. Rottiemom I'll take some of that Xanax please.

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  • Simple13
    Simple13 Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2016

    "Newbie" here. I am with you on the waiting crap. Finally have the surgical consultation this Tuesday. Want to get this traitorous bastard out of me.

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  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited January 2016

    I like this group! Love the names of the suspicious areas! I have been dropping the f-bomb left and right since all of my issues started! Told my 18 year old that I was just going to get the f***ers cut the f*** off and be f***ing done! Good luck to you all! The waiting game is the worst!

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  • Affinity42
    Affinity42 Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2016

    Reflect, I just experienced the 1st anxiety attack I've had in a very long time. As Monday looms, the waiting is becoming suffocating. I hope to hear tomorrow, what about you?? I hope your biopsy goes smoothly. Looks like there are several of us in limbo right now 😬

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited January 2016

    Simple, yes I feel betrayed too! So, you have been diagnosed already, surgical consult Tuesday? Or surgical consult for biopsy? Keep us in the loop. Wishing you the best.

    Logang, oh, yeah, let's get rid of these f*****ers. I feel like I've got some evil...alien inside me. What is your next step?

    Affinity, anxiety attacks are the worst. I am going to call my PCP and get something (like Xanax) to have on hand, in case. I had something years ago that I rarely used but was very glad to have. You will get results tomorrow? Please let us know how it goes.

    I have no definitive results, lots of "highly suspicious" spots( several in my R, one in my L), so the next thing is a "focused" ultrasound where they "hope" to do a biopsy or two or three. I guess there is some chance they won't be able to locate them? If they can't do the biopsies, I don't know what's next. (Excisional biopsies on both breasts?) If they can, I wait (again) for those results. Even if everything is b9, I do not want to go through this again, so I'll have some serious conversations about my risks and options.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2016

    Waiting is the worst ! We're thinking of you all, and glad you found us here!

    Simple13, when is your surgery?

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited January 2016

    Affinity, any news yet? Thinking healthy thoughts for you.

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  • Affinity42
    Affinity42 Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2016

    Nothing yet, I posted myself by the "landline" much of the day. No cell service on the mountain rd where I live. Thankyou for asking!

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2016

    Reflect yes I had the biopsy.I got my results back as B9 with no atypical cells! Pathologist is all over the board on what it really is.It is growing "at an alarming rate" she said and needs to be removed.I have surgery Monday Feb 1.

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2016

    Now I have no idea how long this surgery will take,i wont see the surgeon again until the day of the surgery since I had already done preop papers and visit before we knew much. I am guessing it wont be as bad as a lumpectomy,or maybe that is what they call it? but I don't think she will go after any nodes unless something could be seen with the naked eye not right.Maybe the paper work they are sending me will tell about it.

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  • kaylynn
    kaylynn Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2016

    Oh and an FYI for anyone having a biopsy.Go to the dollar store or any store and buy a bunch those kids boo boo gel packs that you can freeze.They are about 3-4 inches across usually round.They work great for the ice after..They ones they give you are tiny and last about 15 minutes if that.They may give you a large 12" size pack to put ice in but try sticking that into your bra!

    Rottiemom i am sorry the stereotactic biopsy is confusing them.I know I will get attacked in PM again for saying this but the core biopsy I had, USUALLY takes a larger sample (a cone shape)so they can at least rule out cancer type cells. Unless they are checking micocalcifications and them are so small and hard to get a good sample of.

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited January 2016

    Karlyrie, B9 is great! But now you need to get it out and find out what it is? Sounds like lumpectomy but why don't you call and ask? Good luck!

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  • RDA123
    RDA123 Member Posts: 100
    edited January 2016

    Reflect..,did you have anything show on mammo besides Calcifications? I'm having mri tomorrow.

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited January 2016

    Hi Robinda, I think the organization of the calcifications--they made a linear shape--is what made them want to look further. I had u/s next which showed nothing. Then MRI (I have dense breasts, I think MRI is helpful for that) lit up lots including the calcs they had seen previously. MRI is notorious for lighting up lots, including many B9 spots, so remember that! It's awkward but not at all painful.

    Today I had an ultrasound again...they used the MRI findings to locate the areas of concern, and did multiple biopsies of 3 areas. It took a really long time. (over 2 hours). The radiology techs and the doc were great. The doc (when I asked) said he'd be surprised if the one spot weren't cancer, but not sure about the others. So I will hear more on Thursday or Friday and then will make appt. with either the surgeon or MO (who I haven't found yet)

    One day at a time.

    Affinity? Thinking of you.

    Simple? Did you meet with the surgeon today?

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  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited January 2016

    Reflect: I just had my right mastectomy on Monday. He took a lot of axilla lymph nodes because they looked abnormal, so most of my pain is in my right arm and rib cage. Now I get to wait for the pathology report again. Then we can make a decision on chemo.

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited January 2016

    Logang, take good care of yourself. I'm wishing the best news with your path report.

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  • shpva57
    shpva57 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2016

    Hang in there Logang. Sending healing thoughts your way.

    Sue in Va.

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  • Affinity42
    Affinity42 Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2016

    Reflect,

    I'm not going anywhere as I'm on the lifetime circuit of every 6 month breast and kidney ultrasounds. PM me anytime. Much 💜 and support!!!

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