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linnymom
linnymom Member Posts: 5
edited February 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

I've been lurking here for a bit; decided it's time to post. I'm 35, completely single mom to the most amazing 16 year old, and I have an excisional biopsy scheduled for 2/10. I initially saw my primary care 12/23 for breast rash, itchiness, pain, and discharge in L breast. After a slew of blood tests and multiple rounds of antibiotics over the holidays, my primary care referred me to breast clinic where I have the most amazing doctor.

I have had mammograms, ultrasounds, and discharge samples sent to path (inconclusive). I'm rads 4, with extremely dense breasts, vast fibrocystic areas, and extensive micro-calcifications. My radiologist spent nearly 90 min trying to visualize via U/S all of my ducts/lobes, but felt she only saw about half. My surgeon is going to remove the leaking duct/lobe and explore a bit to see if there is anything else that wasn't visualized on scans. I'm a 34H, large and dense apparently makes it v. difficult.

Due to closed adoption, I have no medical history beyond my maternal grandparents both being dead before age 50. Regardless of this surgery outcome, the team is recommending, at a minimum, follow up scans every 6 months, BRCA testing, and exploratory surgery of the R breast.

I'm a data analyst with a focus on public health, so yeah, I know I shouldn't Google and I haven't, but it's really hard to not dig into academic research. I'm finding I'm not scared or even upset but sadly resigned to this not turning out well based on conversations with my medical team and prior medical problems. The hard part for me is no one in my life is ok with me having something going on. I'm the one who holds hands and cooks and makes things ok; I don't feel I have the support I want as they are asking me for reassurance.

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  • JACTsMom
    JACTsMom Member Posts: 55
    edited February 2016

    I'm sorry for what you're going through. I think you'll find this group will be a great source of support and comfort. I'm new here but it's been a blessing to have this forum to vent.

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

    linnymom, welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're sorry that you are here and worried, but we wanted to let you know that you're not alone in this waiting room. We're thinking of you, and wishing you the best for benign results!

    ((HUGS))

    The Mods

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  • linnymom
    linnymom Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2016

    Thank you for the kind words! I'd hug back but that would hurt! ;-)

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited February 2016

    Linnymom, I am sorry you are going thru this. And I am sure it is hard, when you are the one everyone leans on. Please know that HERE, you can lean on us! We are here for you. And I hope you get answers soon. So, did they biopsy your breasts? You said they sent some samples to pathology and it was inconclusive? Just wondering if this is the same as a biopsy. I would expect a biopsy to tell you conclusively if you have cancer. Please keep us posted, and keep up your spirits. It is hard, but helps so much to approach this process from a calm and positive place. Thinking of you.

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  • linnymom
    linnymom Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2016

    Thank you, Meadow. Path was just a sample of the discharge, it was a long shot to get an answer from it, but worth a try. I go in for excisional biopsy and exploratory surgery 2/10. Surgeon is planning to take out the leaking duct and lobe with decent margins and "look around" for anything else that wasn't visible on the scans. Hopefully I will have answers after that.

    I truely appreciate the support; it's comforting to know there are people here who understand. I'm doing ok so far, I'm a snarky one and not very emotional by nature so that seems to be helping. rying to maintain as much normal as I can at home and work but it's hard now with the pain since I'm off meds until after surgery.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited February 2016

    linnymom....Sorry you have to be here but welcome. The one thing that stuck out when I read your post was thatIMO you should have a breast MRI before any surgery. Anyone with dense breasts should. Good luck and keep us posted.

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  • linnymom
    linnymom Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2016

    Thank you for your support, Dtad. We did discuss the option of an MRI, but I have had major reactions to the iv contrast in the past (different issue, kidney) and given surgery was to happen regardless of the scan, we opted not to delay surgery due to MRI wait time and recovery.

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited February 2016

    We will be here to support you if you need us

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  • linnymom
    linnymom Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2016

    Thanks beatmon, I appreciate it

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