Many tests but no true diagnosis yet

Will that be an MRI guided biopsy? Sounds like they are getting close to figuring things out. It is tough to find anything in dense breast tissue - my BS said it was like trying to find a grain of tapioca in a bowl of pudding. The MRI is absolutely the best to find things. I hope you get some answers soon.

Just chiming in to say that I agree with everything that has been said. Please do call the testing facility and ask for the reports on all of those tests. There are good resources online for deciphering them and we are here to help as well. Knowing what's going on is the first step.

Ho Oklagirl. So sorry about your test results. Sounds like you had an MRI guided biopsy? When you get the full report you should know the size and the ER status, which will help you make a treatment plan. I know this all feels so weird and shocking, but do know that breast cancer has great treatment options now. Thinking good thoughts for you and hope you get some rest.

Oklagirl:

If you need hugs, you've come to the right place. Count me in for a huge virtual HUG!!!

Take a deep breath and know that you'll make it through this. We all have. Being scared of everything right now is pretty much how I remember feeling, too. That will pass or lessen greatly with more information and a plan in place. I promise.

Ask any and all questions! We're here for you.

P.S. If you're an Oklahoma fan, you have a big game coming up on Jan 1 to think about instead of this crap. (I'm a Clemson girl, so I do, too!)

If you have confidence in your medical team, that's what really matters. And a respected facility. All good.

HI Oklagirl,

Boy, do I Have empathy for yo. I live in Eufaula, 2800 population, We just moved here a year ago.

I had a mammogram in McAlester, only to be called back for a diagnostic compressed mammogram on my right breast and an ultrasound on my left.

Called back again for a stereotactic biopsy in McAlester, OK on December 14. A few days later, which seemed like a month, I was called in to be told I did have cancer, that they thought they caught it early and was probably DCIS. However, they were sending out more tissue to be sure it was not invasive. They were very nice and seemed compassionate....call if I had any questions, etc. They stated next biopsy would be in today.

I had not heard from the Women's Imaging Center by noon so I called the supervisor. She said she didn't know if it had come in yet and got on her computer. She said oh yes, it is in.

ER negative
PR negative
HER2 positive. 3+

I asked her if that meant it was invasive and she said she wasn't a doctor and didn't know. I understood this so asked her to have the radiologist call me and explain. She said ok. She also asked me if I wanted her to FAX the results to my PCP. She also asked me if I wanted to schedule with the general surgeon in McAlester. I said no. I will explain why later.

Supervisor called back and said the radiologist said he wasn't going to call me because he was not an oncologist radiologist.

That ticked me off because he was so compassionate face to face but didn't have the professionalism to call me back himself. He had told us several times he was there to answer any questions. Even if he would have called me and told me himself that he didn't feel comfortable talking to me because he wasn't an oncologist radiologist I would have had more respect for him.

So, then I called my PCP and asked her to call me after receiving the pathology report. She called after reading it, and couldn't tell me a lot, but at least she said she didn't really know how to interpret the pathology reports. She also FAXED a referral to the OU Breast Institute and was going to ask for the first available appointment. She called back later and said she FAXED report but institute was CLOSED until Tuesday. She advised I call them Tuesday to set up an appt since she is not open until Wednesday. And then to call her with appt date.

Even before this diagnosis, it was always my feeling to go to the best place possible for serious problems. After my experience today, where no one could answer my questions, I was sure I wanted to go to a bigger facility. OU Breast Institute seems like a great choice. My PCP agreed. I have also always heard a teaching hospital is the place to go.

So, the waiting continues. I have read the HER2 positive is more aggressive than some breast cancers so am assuming that means it is invasive. I pray it has not metastasized.

How do you like OU so far? Are you going to OU Breast Institute or Stephenson Cancer Center? Please let me know how you are doing

Welcome IslandWoman. Yep BC certainly made me feel like I was in the middle of the ocean all by myself. Glad you found us. Crossing my fingers and toes that your lump is B9. If not, we’ll be here for you.