Biopsies the week after Thanksgiving anyone?

DangyT: Hi, copied fom my initial post:

I have had a swollen lymph node (right subclavicular) for about three months. When it hadn't dissapeared after the first two months I went to the breast clinic and they referred me for a mammogram. The mammogram was clear except for the subclaviclar swollen lymph. The sonar however showed a second lymph under the arm, both measuring about 1.7cm x 0.9 cm. A third smaller lesion measuring 0.5 x 0.4cm was identified in the right upper outer quadrant.

Anyway off to drop my son and then to the hospital for results....

pharmgirl69 - I am so sorry your dx isn't what you hoped for. I'm glad you have family support around you - I would imagine that's the most helpful thing in a time of uncertainty like this. We are here for you.

I'm expecting results early next week from my exams (they were ordered stat), but am still stumped that they opted not to do any biopsy. I know they measured at least a dozen places on the ultrasound - perhaps they were all visibly simple cysts? I keep going back and forth in my head between "they found nothing and will have to do additional tests to locate the reason for my dark discharge" and "they saw obviously what the problem is and didn't need to biopsy to dx."

One thing I did wonder... they couldn't find my old apocrine cysts from 3 years ago. Could they have ruptured? Could my dark discharge be old blood from that rupture? I cling to hope that something mild like this is the case! But am prepared that even if there's no clear problem on mammo, I may still need other tests like the duct test with the wire or whatever... *shudder* oh well, whatever must be done.

I'm going to try to stop wracking my brain on this for now. Fingers crossed for b9 results for everyone else waiting!

Dang it PharmGirl, that's exactly what you didn't want. But if there's no lymph node involvement that would be really encouraging right? If you have no lymph involvement that puts you as a very early diagnosis I would think. I'm sad for what you found, but relieved there's no node involvement. Are you in an area where you have a nurse navigator to help guide you through the process?

My wife has lymph involvement and the surgeon thinks it's probably IBC, and speculates that we'll treat it like it's IBC, so I guess no need to test for it? We are at least stage 2, and I fear it'll get worse after the upcoming PET scan. I'm hoping her IBC symptoms improve with treatment. It KILLS me to see her uncomfortable like she is.

A survivor friend told me that once we meet with the Oncologist with all of the tests in it gets easier. We learn staging, and all the details tuesday morning and I think we leave that meeting with a full plan in place. I do think it'll be easier in a way after that, even if we hear news we don't want to hear.

We're still waiting for the HER-2, I'm told that might come today. I feel like I have lab-fatigue. My Wife is a teacher, so she can't have her phone with her in class, so every call comes to me for appointments and results. Now every time they call I just cringe because EVERY STINKING result we've gotten is the opposite of what we wanted and hoped for! I want it to stop, I want good news for freaking change. I bet you and many others here feel the same way.

This is hard. I'm so sorry for everyone here for going through it.

I started journaling. I typed three single spaced pages for day one alone. An author friend read it and told me to post it somewhere, I wish more spouses were here. That would be helpful. I told my wife we will read that journal exactly one year from now, and we'll realized how blessed we are.

But I feel like I'm failing her because I'm on the edge of tears continually. She's all strong (not in denial, just better than me). I wish is WAS me. I think I could handle that better. I try to focus on the celebration we'll have someday, when we've beaten it. We've looked at funny T-shirts, and laugh about possible "upgrades" with reconstruction. But I'm letting fear get to me, and I know better.

I saw a lady at lunch today with a bald head. I wanted to talk to her and encourage her, but I knew I'd just start bawling if I did. The fact that she's THERE, out eating lunch while getting treatment gives me hope! That will be us too I hope.

I do think it gets better for both of us once we get our plan and start moving forward. Hang in there everyone. I've been assured by multiple survivors (some from 30 years ago when it was REALLY rough) that it DOES get better.

Morning all,

Jdragr: congratulations on your B9 results!

Pharmgirl69 sorry you didn't get the results you were hoping for.

Browser: sorry about your wifes results and thank you for sharing your perspective. Reading your posts has really given some insight into how my partner (Dave) may have been feeling as he to has been quite overwhelmed by this whole experience.

Those still waiting hang in there.

I am happy to report that I got B9 results yesterday which was a great birthday present for my partner. I am still a little confused seems like what they suspected to be a subclavian lymph is actually a fibroadenoma or a benign phyloides tumor. They will only know which when they remove it. The swollen lymph under my arm they don't seem to be concerned about, I still don't known what the smaller mass in the actual breast is which worries me. I did try to get answers but the doctor then got side tracked booking my surgery and we never did clear that up, hopefully it's just more of the same. I have surgery booked for the 14th of February still Scarry but very happy its B9.

Thank you everybody for the support and good wishes. Will keep you updated on any further developments.

Wishing the best for those still waiting!

checking in....how's everyone doing waiting? Staying away from Dr. Google? Spending time with family? Just thinking about you all

Hi everyone - no answers here yet. Trying to avoid debating what kind of decisions I may have to make, since I have no idea if I really need to make any decisions at all yet! Also planning on what I might say if the Dr tells me she will not look further into my symptoms... sigh. It's madness, this waiting.

Welcome to the waiting room MIss....this is the best waiting room you will find . 6 biopsy! ughhhh you spend a lot of time in the waiting room. I'm so sorry. Prayers for B9 results.

NS...try to enjoy the weekend. You are going to drive yourself crazy trying to make decisions with no information. i know that is easier said than done and you probably have to do SOMETHING while you wait. If your doc wont look into your symptoms, get a second opinion.

Beachside.....sending all warm thoughts for Tuesday.. please make sure you check in and let us know how you made out.

Happy weekend folks....the weekends seem to be the toughest. Maybe cause we know there are no doctors open on the weekends so we aren't anticipating any news. Maybe cause we have more time to think. At any rate, have a happy sunday

Hi DagnyT - I am having a really hard time as well. I think because I know my symptoms indicate there is some problem, I'm struggling more than last time when my symptoms were "could be a problem or could be nothing." I've called the doctor and been promised a callback today. I have work to do but am on the verge of tears...

bowser - every time I see your posts I am overwhelmed with gratitude that your wife has such a champion on her side.

Hi all I am still waiting for my results, I had to go to urgent care yesterday because the dermabond they put on the cut that happened during my biopsy last week and the steri strips came off. I have a hole and I couldn't stop the bleeding, So they re steri strip and bandaged it up for me. I just hope my results come in soon so I can sleep again, It would be nice..

NSwrites... Peace of mind is priceless. That’s why I am so glad I asked if a biopsy would be a good idea and they agreed. We are our own best advocates and it’s not good for our health when we are anxious and unsure. So ask for whatever testing will give you that peace of mind.

I am still waiting for my biopsy results. But I feel better knowing I did what felt right for me.

I am wishing for everyone to receive good news this week!!! Thinking of you all on this feed

Hey Bowser.....thanks for update. I'm sure you both are stressed out but at least it sounds like a plan is coming together. Remind me again, was your wife ER/PR - and HER2+? IBC? I'm getting confused I think. Is she having a port put in? Did they discuss exactly what the chemo treatment would be or are they waiting for the brain scan to come back? So many questions as I'm sure you do too. Chemo forever?

Prayers for b9 on both of the tests you are now waiting for and prayers for smooth chemo. We will be here in the waiting room when you are ready. I go to Onc tomorrow and genetic counselor and will see what my next steps are.