Being sent to cancer center

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Fionathepug
Fionathepug Member Posts: 2
edited July 2017 in Waiting for Test Results

So, here is my journey so far. On July 8th I expressed some bloody discharge from my right nipple. I called my doc on Monday and she saw me the same day. She was also able to express the discharge so she ordered a diagnostic mammogram on both sides and ultrasound on the right. My appointment was that Friday. They found something in my left breast (not the one with discharge) so they did the ultrasound on the left instead of the right. They told me to come back in 6 months for follow up because it was my first mammogram. My doctor got the report on Monday, July 17th. She called me that day saying she wanted to refer me to a cancer center. I agreed, and the cancer center called me on Tuesday. They wanted to have me meet with a breast specialist and have repeat mammogram and ultrasound. On Thursday I received a personalized packet detailing who my nurse navigator is, my breast specialist, what clinical trials are and why they are important, resources available to people with breast cancer, and financial help information. My appointments are tomorrow and I will be there all afternoon. I feel that this makes it official, even though I haven't officially been diagnosed yet. Is this standard or am I just freaking out for nothing

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  • jjAriz
    jjAriz Member Posts: 28
    edited July 2017

    I'm so sorry that you went through all that confusion, but glad that your doc referred you. It's not unusual for the breast center to assign a navigator and send out a personalized packet to every patient. If you want more information NOW, ask your doctor what the BIRAD score is on the Radiology report for the mammograms that you already had. That will give you a probability of what you are dealing with. Look up BIRAD on this site for good information.

    Blessings,

    Jamie

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited July 2017

    A breast specialist is the proper doc to evaluate any breast weirdness, so your primary care did exactly the right thing. The information packet is just information the breast center automatically sends out to every new patient. It's designed to give you a sense that you are not alone, confidence that the hospital has all the right resources, and answers to some basic questions. The nurse navigator is a particular gift. Do not hesitate to contact her.


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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited July 2017

    I think that your doctor is just being a very strong advocate for you.  It is quite likely that the breast cancer center will come to the same conclusion as from the first radiologist.  No doubt as Brookside says, they send you an information packet they send to all patients.

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

    Fiona, I agree with cive and Brookside. the fact that you received your packet so quickly after speaking with them tells me that they sent out your packet as soon as you scheduled. That is way too soon for a busy cancer center's specialists to have reviewed your images and info, come to a conclusion about your case and asked that the info be sent to you. Try not to read too much into this. They are being appropriately cautious and the breast specialist is the correct person to help at this point. Also, nurse navigators are the bomb! don't hesitate to reach out to her/him.

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