Biopsy Thursday scared and I am in a lot of pain

Quiltingnut
Quiltingnut Member Posts: 67
edited December 2017 in Waiting for Test Results

I found my lump on Nov 29 when it started to hurt. I had to wait till Dec 22 to get mammogram and ultrasound. My lump has been hurting on and off but since mammogram it hurts constantly and I can’t stand to touch it. It also seems somewhat swollen. I go for biopsy this Thursday and am scared to death. I have heard different stories on the biopsy as to painful or not. Seeing as how bad I’m hurting now it’s scary to think how bad it will hurt while they are doing the biopsy and afterwards. The radiologist told me that nine out of ten are B9 but mine was cancer. How can she know that? What a Christmas present. Whatever is causing the pain I’m ready to get it out but also scared to hear final biopsy report. Is it normal to have this much pain to begin with

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  • Luckynumber47
    Luckynumber47 Member Posts: 397
    edited December 2017

    Dear Quiltingnut,

    I'm so sorry you find yourself here but you will find lots of helpful information and kind people. My biopsies didn't hurt and I believe there is no reason for them to hurt. Make sure the radiologist numbs the area first. They will give you little ice packs to tuck in your bra afterwards. Those were pretty helpful for the first couple days. My lump and lymph node were both achy after the ultrasound but I just did my best to ignore them.

    After my ultrasound my radiologist could also tell that my "spot" was cancer. She gave me the speech that most are benign but I could tell from the way they behaved that mine was cancer. I just took the approach of, oh well, let's just get this fixed.

    Did the radiologist say anything about your lymph nodes? They checked mine pretty well with the ultrasound and said they looked clear. (And luckily when I had my surgery they were clear)

    It's normal to be super scared by all of this because we always imagine the worst but, trust me, it won't be as bad as you imagine. My breast surgeon assured me several times I would be fine and she was right. You will be too

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  • Quiltingnut
    Quiltingnut Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2017

    Thank you Luckynumber. That makes me feel somewhat calmer. She told me that they only found the one lump which is on my left breast and very close to chest. She said she didn't see anything in the lymph nodes and nothing in the other breast. It's about 3 centimeters. I just have a hard time wondering why I'm hurting so bad right now and been getting a little nauseous and dizzy on occasion.

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  • Hope62
    Hope62 Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2017

    I got the same Christmas present on December 14 th. I have been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma but that is all I know so far. I had the biopsy 5 days previous to the 14 th and my doctor called me with the results. Have not been able to speak to him yet as he is on leave. I have a surgical consult on Jan 4th. To help you with fears of biopsy, mine was not painful. I had an excellent radiologist and her assistant who were so good at talking me through the process and throwing in a healthy measure of distraction. The doctor doing the biopsy continually asked me how I was doing and if I need further numbness. My husband has been very supportive as I attempt to deal with this as I call it " sucks to be me time in my life". I have only told my sons about my diagnoses as I want to get through Christmas and get my ownhead around things before I have to deal with friends and family.

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  • indahood
    indahood Member Posts: 152
    edited December 2017

    Sorry about your bad news. Just wanted to share with you that my biopsy didn't hurt one bit. Of course we are all individuals but maybe hearing from someone who went in worries about the biopsy and found it to be very easy might help.

    Laurie

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  • Quiltingnut
    Quiltingnut Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2017

    I’m so sorry you are going through this also. Thank you for your input on biopsy. I have only told my girls that i have to have a biopsy. I didn’t tell them they already think it’s cancer. I didn’t want to totally ruin their holidays. I just turned 62 a few days before my test last week. My girls are 42 and 37 and I have six grandchildren. My husband has been very supportive also but I know he is worried terribly.Good luck on your app coming up.

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  • Catsme
    Catsme Member Posts: 74
    edited December 2017

    Sorry you're going through this, and this is the toughest part, the waiting. I had two spots biopsies the same day, and didn't have any pain during or after. Good radiologist, and nurse navigator and US tech. We talked and sometimes laughed through the whole process. You will be ok, stronger than you may feel right now. Hugs of strength to you.

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  • Roller40
    Roller40 Member Posts: 30
    edited December 2017

    I just had a lumpectomy 6 days ago. Haven't had much pain took Tylenol which worked well. A bit tired after the anaesthesia but really feeling well today. Not sure about the biopsy but I did have wire localisation before my surgery and it wasn't to bad.

    It will be ok :)

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  • karmicways
    karmicways Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2017

    QuiltingNut,

    Sorry you are going through this. I've been lurking mostly, but wanted to touch on something you said about the nausea and dizziness. I felt the same thing after I met with the BS. She found several suspicious lumps upon exam and marked them for U/S. She dug around pretty good as I pointed out a garbanzo bean shaped lump. I'm was glad that she was thorough and didn't do the typical gyno breast exam, but when I was leaving the office I felt nauseous and a little whoozie.

    My appt was in the 12th and I was flying home for the holidays the next day, so my US isnt until next Tuesday. While ive been home, i find myself constantly examining my lumps, as if I might discover suddenly that they are gone. I realized that when I do, it triggers nausea.

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  • Quiltingnut
    Quiltingnut Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2017

    Thank you. I’m sorry you are going through this too. I haven’t been touching mine as it is much to painful right now. But before i had the mammogram and us i did! And was hoping like you the lump would be gone. I didn’t get much sleep last night as i can’t find anything to relieve this terrible breast pain. I go in the morning early to have my biopsy and I’m nervous as all get out. Lol. On the other hand maybe when they deaden it I’ll get a little relief from the pain I’ve been having. I’m sure after that stuff wears off though it will be hurting as bad or worse. Just want to get whatever it is out

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited December 2017

    Hi there Quiltingnut. I hope it isn't as bad as expected, but I did ice 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, which helped a ton. Also Tylenol. And if all else fails, since everyone is different, go ahead and ask for a couple of days worth of tramadol.

    And keep us posted! Thinking good thoughts for you.

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

    Good luck tomorrow Quiltingnut. I'm a quilting nut too. What kind of quilting do you do?

    I do regular traditional, plus am (very slowly) working on a paper pieced La Passacaglia

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  • Veeder14
    Veeder14 Member Posts: 880
    edited December 2017

    Hi,

    Sorry to hear your need for a biopsy and your in a lot of pain. I had mine last Thursday and asked the doctor to make sure I'm numb enough, and to give me more if I'm not, since my experience at the dentist is that novacaine doesn't work that grea without repeated shots. Everything went fine and I didn't feel a thing, in fact, I was waiting for them to start and it was already over with. The only pain I had was the hand pressure of the technician to stop the bleeding after I got off the MRI table, like an elephant standing on my breast, ugh. I used ice afterwards and never took any meds even Tylenol. You will be fine.

    In my experience, the radiologist never tell me what they saw or think the diagnosis is. That weird that they would tell a patient they have cancer if the doctor hasn't diagnosed them.


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  • HollyDollyD
    HollyDollyD Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2017

    (((HUGS)))

    Sorry about the pain part. I had my biopsy 12/18 - they numbed the area and did a core biopsy. It did not hurt at the time, but I was uncomfortable afterwards. Tylenol didn't do much for me (never does). Advil works a charm. Ice packs were helpful and sleeping on my back. You can always ask them about the pain before the biopsy - how do they want you to handle it.

    Holly

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  • Quiltingnut
    Quiltingnut Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2017

    Thank you all. I’m still nervous but feeling better after reading about your experiences. The Radiologist is the one that told me mine was cancer and is the one who is doing the biopsy tomorrow. I haven’t even seen a doctor since Nov 29 when she ordered the mammogram. I’ll let you all know how it goes.

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited December 2017

    Tell the Doc you are nervous about the amount of pain you are having before the procedure starts and ask that he gets you very numb. They don’t want it to hurt you because you won’t be still if it does. Good luck. It will be over quickly. Praying for a benign report

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  • Quiltingnut
    Quiltingnut Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2017

    i just wanted to check in after having biopsy done yesterday. I'm quite sore but strangely the pain Ihad before the biopsy seems to be better. Weird. The biopsy itself was not as bad as expected. I felt no pain during the procedure. Now I'm playing the waiting game but of course fearing the worse because of what the radiologist has already told me. Nevertheless I'm praying for a B9 result.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited December 2017

    Thanks for the update and fingers crossed for you.

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  • Marms
    Marms Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2017

    Hello and welcome,

    I am in my early 60’s as well and had my biopsy the beginning of Oct. The Radiologist and his nurse assistant were amazing. They explained the procedure from beginning to end. I had absolutely no pain. Be an advocate for yourself by being proactive to find out your results. They should be back within 2-4 days.

    Best of luck to you

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  • Shenandoah
    Shenandoah Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2017

    Hi

    My lump on underside of breast started to pucker inward..there was not a constant pain, but if my bra laid a certain way, or anything would touch it..was painful.

    It felt like the lump was attached to a muscle..when I raised my arm, it would pucker worse.

    Surgery Sept 2017..radiation ..nodes clear

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  • houmom
    houmom Member Posts: 162
    edited December 2017

    The first lump that was biopsied was not painful at all, and as they worked on the second I was doing fine, but my tumors are by the nipple and the last two passes they took must have caught a nerve because I had the most painful hour of my life driving home! It wore off within a few hours though. I do get occasional pain in that breast while I wait for the 1/8 surgery, it is usually a sharp pain as if the breast is being pulled from inside. I am ER+/PR+ so I think it's related to whatever my erratic 40 yo lady hormones are doing.

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