Painful lumps. Looking for other peoples experiences.

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Lacu
Lacu Member Posts: 12
edited May 2017 in Waiting for Test Results

hello everyone. I have posted a couple times about my experiences so far. (My questions are at the end). I'm 25 years old. Very dense /lumpy breasts. I have I think somewhere between 4-6 lumps.

So before the doctors were sure that I had fibroadenomas. I did not like the general surgeon I had seen previously so asked my dr. To get a second opinion. Last week I had an ultrasound to prepare for the appointment today.

After seeing that the "lumps" (they are no longer calling them fibroadenomas) have changed. They have decided i need a biospy.

By changed here is what my surgeon said. "They said it looks bigger but they can't tell but it looks different and it has changed" I assume she was paraphrasing to protect my feelings. Don't really know.

My surgeon kept saying "Well it could be fibroadenomas or..." then would change the subject.

She also says there is not much of a permanent solution for the extreme pain I'm in. So that sucks.

So a stressful day all in all. And I don't really know what to think about that but at least they are moving forward with biopsy.

So I guess I'm looking for anyone with similar experiences. What others think my dr. meant.

And what were other peoples experience with core needle biopsy? Painful? Not? I will not be put to sleep but will be numbed.

Healing process? My mind went kind of blank during the appointment.

Comments

  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited May 2017

    Reading people's minds never works for me. Core biopsy was easy. The needle to freeze was so tiny i barely felt it and then felt nothing. I had a bandaid on it for a couple of days. I didn't need tylenol and barely remembered it was there. Having blood drawn from arm was more painful. I think it is easy for most.

    If you find you can't settle down talk to your doctor about that. Hoping you find peace with good results.

  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited May 2017

    I agree with Wrenn about mind reading, I was never any good. Most likely, discussing all of the options of what it "could be" would only make many women more anxious, so he stopped at "could be a fribro or". Try to distract yourself until you have actual results (I know that's difficult). If distraction isn't working, try relaxation.

    core needle should be no problem (depending on where in the breast, close to the nipple has more nerve endings) and many facilities will give you a tiny round ice pack that fits into your bra to put on the site when you leave. Good luck for B9 findings!

  • Lacu
    Lacu Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2017

    thanks for the advice!!

    Also, the biopsy is on Thursday

    Should I take Friday off of work. My job is pretty relaxed about that kind of thing I can easily work from home.

    I've read conflicting things online

  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2017

    I could have gone to work when I left after the biopsy. I stopped and bought groceries on the way home. They made a point of telling me I would be fine to drive myself home

  • Lacu
    Lacu Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2017

    thanks MelissaDallas. That makes me feel a lot better.

  • KimberlyLynn
    KimberlyLynn Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2017

    Good afternoon my name is Kimberly .Im 34 years old I uploaded

    a few pictures from the ultrasound. I do have the whole disk

    On the 12th I went to the Er due to left breast pain

    and a lump. I had a xray and a ultrasound done. The Er DR

    as well as the Radiologist was very concerned and said that

    it was for sure a mass neoplasm vs infection. I went to the

    General surgeon yesterday and he believes it to be infection

    but has scheduled me for a lumpectomy on Wednesday to do a

    biopsy. I do have a few family members who have had breast cancer.

    I do have a little clear fluid that comes from the left breast.

    The General Surgeon says that breast cancer usually dosent hurt

    so I should be fine. I was put on antibiotics and no improvement. There is

    blood flow in the periphery of the mass.

    I am just consumed with fear just need some opinions.

    imgur.com/a/1nJzy

  • Snowgirl63
    Snowgirl63 Member Posts: 83
    edited May 2017

    hi Kimberly, just so you know the Tec isn't qualified to tell you what it is, you should listen to the surgeon. And good they are getting to it soon to alleviate your worries. You said lumpectomy and biopsy on Wednesday but those are two different things. A lumpectomy takes out the problem area to help release the pain. And antibiotics take awhile to work so make sure you finish them. Having this much fear is what most of us have gone through as well... if you can try relaxation techniques and if all else fails do talk to your dr about something temporary to help ease that anxiety ... believe me I know how you feel. Hang in there and keep reading here so you can be encouraged ... it will help you get through until you know more.

    Hugs to you Kimberly,

    Teres

  • KimberlyLynn
    KimberlyLynn Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2017

    Thank you so much Snowgirl63 for the reply!! I am trying to remain calm and this site has really helped. Yes on Wednesday the General Surgeon is doing a lumpectomy of the lump he is removing 2 lumps in the left breast and then sending it off to the pathologist for a biopsy. He did inform me that If it comes back as cancer he would have to go back in and clear out the area that the lumps were located. I did word my post wrong the man who did my ultrasound was a radiologist he would be the one to preform a core needle biopsy if that was the choice that the surgeon chose.

  • KimberlyLynn
    KimberlyLynn Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2017

    Im just confused to why he would elect to do a lumpectomy vs a core needle biopsy if he believes its just an infection so just to ease my mind on Monday I am going to go to the University here where they have a oncologist so I can get a second opinion. No mater what the outcome is I will survive just like all the strong women on here have. Its just the motions that you have to go through. I do have a disabled child and he needs my care so I always stay strong for him. This time im just feeling a little weak and scared just like its expected.

  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited May 2017

    Hi Kimberly,

    I'm so sorry you're having to go through all of this. I think some of the confusion is a matter of terminology. While a lumpectomy and an excisional biopsy are very similar (and sometimes, for that reason, they both get called a "lumpectomy,") their purposes are quite different.

    A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a known cancer (and hopefully get "clean margins.")

    An excisional biopsy is a surgical procedure to remove some "suspicious" tissue for analysis. Based on what you've said, what you're having is an excisional biopsy. Depending on what they find, they may or may not find cancer...and if they find cancer, they may or may not need to go back and clean up the margins.

    I can't offer an explanation about why your surgeon chose an excisional biopsy over a core needle biopsy. Generally, the least invasive biopsy (which will accomplish the surgeon's goal) is chosen. But factors involved in choosing one over the other may involve where the "whatever-it-is" is located and whether or not it is easily accessed with a core needle. Certainly ask your surgeon why he chose an excisional biopsy over a core needle biopsy.

    BTW, asking if treating a potential infection first would mean that a biopsy would no longer be required seems like a reasonable question. And asking how they will address a potential infection during the course of the excisional biopsy is also a reasonable question.

    My very best wishes for a B9 result!

    LisaAlissa

  • KimberlyLynn
    KimberlyLynn Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2017

    Thank you Lisa for your reply on Wed they will be putting me to sleep and removing the lumps not a piece of it. He did inform me that this can tend to leave some deformation of the breast and leave some indents that are not pretty. I do know that I wont need to have wires placed due to the fact that he can feel the lumps. And I guess that is why Im so confused. I have read from other woman with the same issue to have a biopsy 1st so that is why I am going to have the 2nd opinion on Monday.

  • KimberlyLynn
    KimberlyLynn Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2017

    Thank you so very much Lisa for your reply on Wed they will be putting me to sleep and removing the lumps not a piece of it. He did inform me that this can tend to leave some deformation of the breast and leave some indents that are not pretty. I do know that I wont need to have wires placed due to the fact that he can feel the lumps. And I guess that is why Im so confused. I have read from other woman with the same issue to have a biopsy 1st so that is why I am going to have the 2nd opinion on Monday.

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