First biopsy done. Need another. Still no results

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AutismMamma
AutismMamma Member Posts: 9
edited November 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

I've posted a few messages that haven't gotten a response. I've found a lot of help though, through searching older posts.

My journey started July 27 when I found a weird lump and puckering of my skin in my left breast. After mammogram and ultrasound didn't see anything, I was sent for an MRI.

Throughout the process I've been informed that the "lump" I originally found is not a lump at all, but skin thickening. It's grown since I first found it. It's about 17cm long now And 5.5 cm wide. It was concerning on the MRI. BIRAD 5. Last week, I had a skin punch biopsy in two areas. I'll get the results next week. While she was doing the biopsy she also found another lump. A real one this time. In the right breast.

Also found in the MRI was concerning areas in my right breast. The radiologist said that both breasts look completely different in the MRI, so much so that they believe one of them is "bad" and they just don't know which one. They wanted an ultrasound. I had that yesterday. While there, they didn't find anything so I'll have an MRI guided biopsy in a week or two.

The surgeon that met with for the biopsy warned me that things don't look good, but they don't look bad either. She said with so much going on in there, they're just trying to find the cancer. She said there's a chance everything will come back benign, but she's not hopeful. I also have a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer. She wanted me to think about a bilateral mastectomy and ovary removal just to be safe. I don't want to think about it.

I'm alone with my thoughts a lot and I don't like that. But talking to the few people who know doesn't make me feel good either. My husband feels like he's always saying the wrong thing. I want to be hopeful. He wants on talk logistics. What will treatment look like? Can I work? I don't know yet, and I don't want to think about it yet. I just want to enjoy this last week in case it is the last one I have with out cancer.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited October 2016

    Ugh, AutismMamma. It sounds like you've gone through a lot and yet you still don't have any answers. How frustrating for you! I'm sorry you feel so alone through this; DHs are often focused on logistics.

    Enjoy your last cancer-free week! I hope that you beat the odds and that everything does turn out to be B9.

    ((Hugs)) from another autism Mom.

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited October 2016

    AutismMamma, it is so hard to be waiting like this, but it will be better once you have a plan (if you need a plan). Your situation sounds unusual (I am not a doctor!)--are you at a top cancer hospital? If not you might want a second opinion from one. I had many many biopsies and I understand the stress and anxiety. Please be good to yourself!

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  • AutismMamma
    AutismMamma Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2016

    Thanks to both of you!

    I am currently at a university teaching hospital. I am comfortable there bu I'm about an hour away from Boston if that changes.

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  • RNstrong
    RNstrong Member Posts: 126
    edited October 2016

    HI Autism Mama, are you a nurse? I am also currently undergoing tests for a focal asymmetry seen on Mammo but not on ultrasound. I am also working in a university teaching hospital. One of my worries is if I am diagnosed (hope not), will I be able to work as a nurse during treatment? I need my job.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited October 2016

    AnxiousRN,

    I was able to work through chemo and rads, and was back at work the day after my lumpectomy. But, I was relatively young (47), and in good physical condition (other than having cancer). Not everyone is as lucky as I was, and there's no shame in saying that treatment wiped you out and sent you to bed. Do you have the option of taking short-term disability or have some sick days stored up? That's always a possibility.

    AutismMamma,

    Let us know the outcomes of your biopsies, especially if your issues turn out to be B9! It's nice to hear good news here!

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  • AutismMamma
    AutismMamma Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2016

    I'm not. Sorry. I meant that I was being treated at a teaching hospital, not that I work there. I am currently self employed as a realtor. So my income is completely commission based. If I don't work I don't get paid. I did, however, spend years working in hospitals as a PCA. I've seen many nurses work during cancer treatment. If you have good coworkers and management, they may work with you to schedule days off or assignments that are easier to manag

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

    Hopefully they will get this all figured out with good results for you. Your hubby needs to be thinking only what is logistically going to be best for you

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  • RNstrong
    RNstrong Member Posts: 126
    edited October 2016

    Elaine, are you a nurse? If ever Im diagnosed (hope not) I do still want to work. I am healthy and kind of a person who always runs a marathon here and there. I have good benefits at work like short term disability etc. But I know that cancer drugs can cause immunosuppression and I work in a hospital basically exposed to all kinds of diseases. Although I work in a psych unit and we dont usually admit a medical patient. Short term disability does not really give us full pay just around 60%. And I have a lot of bills. Am I going crazy? I am thinking about all these thingseven before my tests are done.

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  • Karebear7171
    Karebear7171 Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2016

    Hello AnxiousRN...did you get any diagnosis yet? I had same mammogram findings as yours and my repeat mammogram was fine...hoping the same outcome for you. Xo

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  • RNstrong
    RNstrong Member Posts: 126
    edited November 2016

    Hi Karebear, I had MRI of the breasts Friday last week. Was kinda hoping I would have the results by now but havent received it yet. Maybe tomorrow or Wednesday. I am really hoping for good results. Good to know yours went well :)

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited November 2016

    AnxiousRN,

    No, I'm not a nurse. I teach at a university (which has plenty of germy students). I was lucky that my immune system held up; I only missed one day of work during chemo, and that's because I caught a stomach virus from my kids. It's never too early to think about how to cope with any missed income because of leave from work!

    Hoping you get your results ASAP, and that they are full of good news!

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  • RNstrong
    RNstrong Member Posts: 126
    edited November 2016

    Im going to update you once my results are in. That's my only worry if ever diagnosed, not being able to work. Im the type who cant stay at home. I teach nursing during the weekends, and work 40 hrs in a teaching university hospital weekdays. But at this point I am very hopeful of good results.

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