Hard Not To Worry

Heidi. I am so sorry about your diagnosis and so scared to get my results. I should find out tomorrow. I just hope the results are back. I have a sister who is a survivor of about 14 years with no recurrence and that gives me hope.

I am upset. I was supposed to get my biopsy report today but I got a call and was told the results aren't in yet. It's been 6 days. I have another biopsy scheduled for Tuesday. I am worried that it's not good news since it's taking this long. The doctors office is supposed to call me when they get the report. Meanwhile they set me up an appointment at my hometown clinic for next Thursday while saying I could drive the extra 23 miles if they came in sooner if I wanted to. If course I will make the drive. Oh man the anxiety of waiting is hard.

"I am worried that it's not good news since it's taking this long."

Hi Seedsally!

I'm so sorry to hear that they're making you wait after the promised delivery date. But I wouldn't assume the delay meant anything. It could be a paperwork mix-up. A delivery problem. Maybe lab employees were "out" in the pathology lab, causing tests to be backed up. Who knows? We could probably speculate on what happened all day. (There's a lot of possible reasons for the delay.) But I can't think of any pathology lab which would hold back results if they had them.

Did your doc's office say anything other than "the results aren't in"?

I'd probably call back tomorrow (Friday) and ask if they had talked to the path lab. If not, ask them to do so. If they usually get results via fax and there was a transmission problem, the path lab may think they've sent them. You might be able to get them almost immediately if they only need to be re-faxed.

If the tests really aren't done, I'd ask when you can expect the results. If they don't want to chase them down, perhaps they'll give you contacts at the path lab and let you call them. (Ask to speak to the office manager. You'd like your doc to have them by Monday so that if anything in them might help the person performing Tuesday's biopsy, that into will be available.

HTH (and good luck!)

LisaAlissa

I think that is the hardest part for me as well, not having a plan. Its like you are in limbo because there is nothing you can do while waiting but worry. I hope they don't keep you waiting much longer.

I know what you mean about waiting. It's so hard. The days after my biopsy were kind of difficult but I think that I was in shock. I wasn't surprised when my radiologist called with news that it was cancer. I just had a feeling. In fact, I upgraded my health insurance the week before, because something was just telling me that I'd need more coverage.

Now I'm waiting for the MRI pathology. It's been one week and still no word. My BS is out until Monday so I couldn't even call her. The waiting is the hardest part because my mind seems to wander and I start thinking that every bump or every lump, or spot is bad news.

I'm having surgery on March 2nd and I'll have to wait several days for that pathology report so I guess I'd better get used to waiting.

But it's hard..

Heidi I asked her but she doesn't remember. We lost our father a month after her mastectomy. And she was losing her husband of many years from bone cancer at the same time. Then soon after she found out she has leukemia so the stress, illness, and grief has taken a toll. She amazes me with her sweet and patient personality. I don't know if she could of made it without her 4 grown daughters, good son in laws, and several loving grandchildren.

I was supposed to get results yesterday but was told lab couldn't release them because the pathologist never signed the report so now I have to wait until Monday.

Tex I know exactly how you feel as I was supposed to get my results Thursday and they postponed me for another week saying results weren't back. I got so anxious I called the surgeons office yesterday afternoon late and was told they were having a meeting. The nurse called back as I said in another post and wouldn't say whether they were back or not and wouldn't be told by phone anyway. Also told I have to wait until he sees me after my next biopsy on Tuesday. So I guess I have to wait until my rescheduled appointmentthis coming Thursday. I was aggravated but now I guess I'm just too anxious and upset. I actually feel better and more prepared. I can wait until then and meanwhile get some research done for my next step and what questions to ask if the results aren't good. If the results are ok I would just be upset unnecessarily. I actually feel like I am forming a plan now. Already started a file notebook for all tests, visit info, and expenses-along with insurance info EOBs, contact numbers and anything else I think I might need. One other thing I am going to do is write out some instructions for my family in case something should happen to me during this.

Mamalala. I hope your doctor set you up for a biopsy since that seems like the next step. Im sure there must be other reasons for lumps in the breast but it's hard to know without all the tests. I still keep hoping mine will be something else but won't know until I get the results. Please talk to your doctor about what to do next keep us updated

My mass came on very quickly as well. Wishing you luck mamalala! Glad you have a biopsy scheduled! The waiting is the worst part!

Hi Mamalala333,

Sorry to hear your going through BC worries at the moment.

Everyone can relate to the waiting being the worst part unfortunately.

We're hoping for a benign result for you! Keep us updated.

Hugs from the Mods.

Welcome ckfelix. You are so young I hope everything comes out ok. I went for a screening mammogram and wound up here after I had some more tests and a biopsy on right breast. Tomorrow I am getting a different type of biopsy on my left breast. I also am a birads 5 category. My surgeon is supposed to give me results of both tests Thursday. I feel settled in my mind and want to fight it. I don't really feel too frightened right now. Maybe because I don't know for sure and it doesn't seem real. I don't know how I will feel if I am told I have BC. It may depend onhow bad it is. Keep us informed and I'll do the same.

ckfelix - sorry you had to join this site, it is a great site and the people are wonderful but I am sure you know what I mean. keep us all updated on how you are doing

heidi - how are things going with you?

I finally got my results, infiltrating ductal carcinoma in the both the breast and lymph biopsies. They couldn't tell me what stage (guess we need to see how far it has gone) but stated it is very aggressive. Thankfully, I was able to get appointment with surgeon tomorrow so I will know more then.

Tex, I'm glad that you at least have a diagnosis to concentrate on now. I'm sorry that it's not a benign diagnosis, but it sounds like you were as prepared (as you could be) for the news. I'm preparing for my cancer diagnosis too.

I didn't realize until reading this board that there was a report about my ultrasound/mammography. I guess they sent it in the mail, but I don't often check my mailbox. In a random gift from God, the secretary/patient coordinator at the breast cancer center is someone I know. I called her and she immediately emailed my report from mammogram/ultrasound.

Not good. Birad rating of 5. Suspected cancerous lump of 4cm. Suspected cancer in lymph node. I was a bit surprised, as I knew the doc had seemed serious, but didn't think it was as serious as that!

I talked to my patient coordinator "friend" (more of an acquaintance, but she will surely be my friend now) and asked if I could get my biopsy moved up if there were any openings (mammogram was 2/19 and biopsy was set for 2/29.) She moved me up to this Thursday, and also set my MRI for that day, as well as an appt with a surgeon for next week.

Just like the doctor, she is certain I have cancer. Said there was almost no other explanation. So I'm coming to terms with it now and not waiting for the official diagnosis to get the ball rolling. I'm thinking my cancer is pretty aggressive, so the sooner I do it all, the better! But still hard to wait for all the real answers

Tex I am so sorry about your DX I don't know what else to say. Please keep us informed

Heidi that's tough you are having such difficulties wishing you well on Wednesday.

Mamalala I also have a Birad of 5 with suspicious mass. It's my right breast-already had biopsy but no results yet. I go tomorrow the 23rd for stereotactic biopsy of clustered Calcifications of left breast. I'm sitting here with a head cold wondering if they'll go through with it if I'm not a lot better in the morning. I sure don't want to postpone anything as I am like you and want the ball rolling. I want answers hopefully benign ones.