My US results are available online and I'm afraid to look

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1Sweetbajan
1Sweetbajan Member Posts: 15
edited September 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

Whose idea was it to make these reports so available to a patient? We have no idea what we're reading and it can send us into a Dr. Google panic

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  • sourlemon27
    sourlemon27 Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2016

    I'm also waiting for results of a core biopsy but I would look and then also try to call the dr so they can explain things a little better? but it would make me crazy knowing the results were a few clicks away, that's just me, praying for good outcomes XOXO

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited August 2016

    I personally find it much less anxiey producing to have my results as soon as possible so I can formulate intelligent questions. I request copies of all ny reports. I understand what I am reading or can look it up on reputable medical sites. I'm not in the "ignorance is bliss" camp. People who find it scary to see the report should wait for their follow up to discuss it with the doctor

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  • joyandpiece
    joyandpiece Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2016

    I'm with you, MelissaDallas, but everyone is different. Sourlemon27, feel free to wait to talk to your doctor if that works best for you.  If you do get curious though, there is a great Pathology Report Booklet to download on this site that will help you decipher what it all means.

    http://www.breastcancer.org/cms_files/47/Breastcancerorg_Pathology_Report_Guide_2014.pdf

    The center where I had my biopsy done told me that sensitive results are not available right away until after you've talked to your doctor.  I talked to my doctor on Friday to get my news and thankfully had the initial report in my hands by Saturday morning.  The rest of it came today.  It helped me make the choice of where to seek treatment much easier than if I had known absolutely nothing. 

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  • 1Sweetbajan
    1Sweetbajan Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2016

    When I had my regular screening mammo 3 weeks ago, the radiologist 's office called the very next day to tell me I needed to get authorization for a 3D mammo and US. If they're following the same protocol, I expect to hear from them tomorrow - and if not, I will call my doctor as she also should have received the results.

    MellissaDallas, I don't fall into the "ignorance is bliss" category at all. However, I know I will analyze and over analyze, and research every single word in the report and have an anxiety attack when I, not a doctor, determine that the report is surely malignant. I have a family that I would have to put on a brave facade for until I get the official word from my doctor. My intent is to have my husband accompany to get my results. No point in me diagnosing myself and coming up with my own prognosis without the benefit of a doctor's calming touch

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited August 2016

    When my stereotactic biopsy came back with problems I was in the grocery store when the doctor called to tell me and to let me know she had scheduled me for a surgical biopsy. I would have preferred to see it online. My surgeon only gives results in person after a surgery. I actually dislike that because I am not prepared with relevant questions.

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  • sourlemon27
    sourlemon27 Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2016

    -Joyandpiece thank you for the link! i just wish my dr would call me already! There is no results back yet so i guess i'm waiting either way :)


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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited August 2016

    Sourlemon, really about the only information you are going to get that means anything from a mammogram, ultrasound or MRI is the Birads rating and whether or not a biopsy is recommended. Unless you have a Birads 5, which is most likely cancer, chances are you are fine. Anything estimated to be even a 3% chance of being cancer is recommended forbiopsy, but better than 80% of Birads 4 biopsies come back benign. Mostly what you get is either it clearly looks benign, or we don't know,so we had better stick a needle in it to be on the safe side.

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  • sourlemon27
    sourlemon27 Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2016

    Melissadallas, thank you for your responses! Im obviously new here and am just looking to be imformed and prepared, my dr did not give me my birads rating and i did not know to ask until after the biopsy... all i know is that it was suspicious enough to go through with a core biopsy after my US, just paranoid after going through treatment for non hodgkins lymphoma, i over analyze and double check everything, and i do get anxiety when i bring up stuff like this that feels "off". I'm sure this is nothing, but being misdiagnosed several times affected me in ways i never understood before,

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited August 2016

    Sorry, I was confused and didn't realize you had already had the biopsy. I hope you get benign results.

    As to misdiagnosis, they tried to tell me I had cirrhosis (no risk factors)when I really had a twenty pound ovarian tumor...

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  • joyandpiece
    joyandpiece Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2016

    sourlemon27, that wait part is the worst, isn't it? I have relaxed a bit since I have the beginning of answers and waiting for surgery consult. Best of luck to you and hope you hear something soon

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  • sourlemon27
    sourlemon27 Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2016

    Posts: 5

    1Sweetbajan- I feel like I high jacked your post sorry about that! - I am curious to see what you decided to do? how are you doing now? keep us posted. hoping for positive outcomes

    Melissadallas-that is terrible! how can something like that be missed, I cant even imagine, I'm so sorry .... I also have to apologize, my response was a little heated, I've just had a really uneasy feeling since last week and had started another topic with all of this info but I guess it got overlooked, so I decided to look for answers/support on other threads which has prevented me going crazy...

    joyandpiece it definitely is the worst, but I also feel better after venting my frustrations and anxiety here, I should find out more no by tomorrow, thank you for the positive vibes :) keep us posted,

    -best wishes

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  • Wicked
    Wicked Member Posts: 141
    edited August 2016

    Sweetbajan, you do have the option of not looking. The results are often not that helpful unless there's a report along with them. I've had a few results come in where I could see the images but it took a few days for the report to be entered. Usually the pathologist has called me to discuss the results before the report hits my patient portal. I like the images and tend to think they are pretty. When I look at them, I always keep in mind that I absolutely do not have any idea what I'm looking at, and I don't get upset.

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  • KeepMoving
    KeepMoving Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2016

    1Sweetbajan, I understand completely. That's why I haven't signed up on the patient portal. I'd rather hear it from the dr. I'm hoping that you get good news about your ultrasound.


    Sourlemon27, good luck to you, too.
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  • 1Sweetbajan
    1Sweetbajan Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2016

    having read so much already, my problem is that I WILL know (or have a pretty good idea) of what I'm looking at and I'm not sure I can handle it (if it's anything other than Bi Rads 1-3) without a doctor immediately there to help me through it.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited August 2016

    My MDs don't release sensitive information to the patient portal until we've had a chance to discuss it. I know some people like to be prepared going into an appointment but I like and appreciate this system. Routine stuff shows up pretty quickly. Imaging reports, etc., are reviewed by the MD or her PA and, if sent electronically, are accompanied by a note to clarify any possible areas of concern. Bad news always comes directly from her mouth.

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  • Kristeach
    Kristeach Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2016

    that stressed me out! I saw one word and freaked out!

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  • 1Sweetbajan
    1Sweetbajan Member Posts: 15
    edited September 2016

    So I finally got my results back and it's benign - cysts w/ 6 month follow up. After the stress of the past 3 weeks, I feel like I get a do-over with life. This has been a humbling experience and this forum has really helped because of all the "real" experiences shared

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  • KeepMoving
    KeepMoving Member Posts: 112
    edited September 2016

    1Sweetbajan -- Congratulations! Glad you got great news!!

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  • 1Sweetbajan
    1Sweetbajan Member Posts: 15
    edited September 2016

    thank you so much keepmoving! God bless you.

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