Radiologist told me it was cancer?

Options
Confused23
Confused23 Member Posts: 3
edited August 2017 in Just Diagnosed

Hi,

I had my first mammogram today. My doctor had ordered the test because of my age and I've never had one before. But, he was treating and testing me for something entirely different.

They did the mammogram and she asked me to wait, then the radiologist ordered more of my right breast. The nurse/tech then took me into the radiologists office where he showed me the images on his computer and he said he's seeing cancer or something. I think my mind went blank when I went in because I maybe knew what was happening. He said we're catching it early so it's good. The nurse reiterated that as well. I asked him, "Early early? or Early?" He said "early" and something about microcalcifications that are too small to even feel and they need to do a biopsy to confirm. I had taken some aspirin over the weekend so they couldn't do it today, so it's scheduled for Monday. Another radiologist (?) who's performing it met with me and went over the procedure.

What was puzzling was that all of them kept repeating the same thing,"We caught it early, so it's good."

Then I go over to another department for my other test (unrelated and what I originally went to my doctor for), and the nurse doing my intake before the test said that she was sorry and asked me if anyone had come with me today and that it's good to catch these early. She gave me paperwork about the biopsy.

Was I just told that I have breast cancer? Or more than likely based on the radiologist's experience?

It was all happening quickly, and because it was routine and not because of any issues, I think I just blanked out and didn't ask any real questions about what they were telling me.


· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Rrobin0200
    Rrobin0200 Member Posts: 433
    edited August 2017

    same situation as I found myself in. Long story short, doc ordered mammo to confirm that I flipped my implant. Indeed, impnat was flipped but radiologist became concerned when she noticed "microcalcofications. She too said, "we caught it early." WHAT?!?!? Ultrasound and biopsy done the same day. Results came back as DCIS. Surgery and reconstruction done 3 week and later. Living life to the fullest now, trying to enjoy each and wvey day. I hope and pray the same for you, if eot B9

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Confused23
    Confused23 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2017

    Thank you, Rrobin0200, and I am glad you are still staying very positive. It's inspiring.

    I have a follow up tomorrow with my primary doctor, he'll probably go into more detail and hopefully he won't say, "We caught it early, so it's good."

    From what I have read so far on this website, radiologists do indeed get this right most of the time. I am kinda of wishing I had stayed in my tuned out mode and had this last normal day.

    Stay strong, Robin. And thank you :-

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rrobin0200
    Rrobin0200 Member Posts: 433
    edited August 2017

    you are so welcome! And please excuse my spelling errors and other typos! I just re-read my post. Wow... guess autocorrect was turned off! :)

    Remember, catching it early is a GOOD thing. I decided to go completely Angelina Jolie, but some people opt for a lumpectomy and radiation. It's completely up to you and what your surgeon recommends. Hopefully you won't have to even consider these options, but if you do, we're here to help. Feel free to pm me with any questions.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Confused23
    Confused23 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2017

    My primary doctor confirmed what the radiologist told me yesterday. The radiologist called him yesterday and I did hear correctly about the microcalcification clusters and more than likely cancerous based on his experience. I was asking him what are the chances Dr. (radiologist name) is wrong? Has he ever been? I was even asking the nurses the same thing. I think I was trying to get anyone to tell me there's a chance the biopsy will come back benign.

    My doc basically told me that he personally doesn't like to say anything until a biopsy comes back (my preference too). But, based on his call with the radiologist, I need to prepare for the worst case scenario right now because everything after the biopsy results will happen very quickly. He said they'll either immediately start doing additional testing to see if it has spread or they will schedule me to see a surgeon. He gave me a Health Care Proxy packet and explained it, and said that my care is now being handled by the radiology department and neurology (for the problem I originally went to see him about).

    I mean it is great that they want to "prepare" me, which is apparently why everyone in radiology yesterday was acting like I had cancer. But, at the same time, I wish I had this extra upcoming week of not knowing. I probably do not know enough about breast cancer, or cancer in general, to know that this is how every situation is handled.

    I AM feeling very lucky that my doc just happen to order a mammogram, otherwise I may not have known until whatever became large enough to know about or I started experiencing health problems due to it. If "it" is an actual "it."

    So, a week from today I think I will be back here with a hopeful story for everyone that a radiologist can be wrong and a biopsy isn't a death sentence. (And yes, denial is not just a river in Egypt, but it can be comforting for a week)

    Thank you, Robin, your words helped me a lot :-

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories