Surgical consult tomorrow

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momto3sons
momto3sons Member Posts: 311
edited February 2018 in Waiting for Test Results

Hello all!

My name is Carolyn, and I'm 42 years old. On 12/19/17 I had a 3D diagnostic mammogram, followed by ultrasound, on both breasts. My original area of concern was a lumpy area on my left breast, but it looks like that is just a complex cyst.

However, there is an area of concern in my right breast. I became a bit worried when the mammographer came back in after consulting with the radiologist, and said we needed to do more imaging on my right breast. This happened twice, with her getting more images. I had an ultrasound right afterwards, and they spent about 30 minutes on my right breast alone. After conferring with the radiologist again, they had to do some additional u/s on me while I was there.

I met with the breast health nurse before leaving to go over the report from the radiologist. There are several cysts in both breasts, but the area they're concerned with on my right breast is listed as an architectural distortion. A surgical consult for possible biopsy has been recommended.

I received a call within 24 hours from the surgeon's office, and have an appointment on 1/5/18. Unfortunately that was the soonest I could get in, since the doctor was on vacation and then off for a bit for her husband's surgery.

I'm trying not to freak myself out, and I'm so glad I found this site. There is a history of cancer (breast and otherwise) on my mom's side, but the women typically got it later in life. I'll just be glad to have my appointment later this week to see what next steps will be.

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  • teachermomfl
    teachermomfl Member Posts: 104
    edited January 2018

    Good luck tomorrow

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    Thank you! I'm just ready to get an idea of what happens next.

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  • HollyDollyD
    HollyDollyD Member Posts: 77
    edited January 2018

    Hi Carolyn,

    I've just been there where you have been. The biopsy should be pretty painless. They will try and take some fluid in a fine-needle aspiration or do a core biopsy, where they take tissue. That's the usual route. They should numb the area first. Then they will send the tissue off to a lab. They will check it for cancer cells. If it is not cancer - you are probably done. Jump for joy and celebrate!

    If it is cancerous, they will probably do more testing on it and put you in touch with the people you need to see for next steps. They might put a titanium clip in it, so that they can see exactly where the place is if they want to keep an eye on things.

    I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers,

    Holly


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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    Thanks Holly!

    I'm assuming tomorrow's appointment is just to go over the full results from the mammogram and ultrasound. The nurse I talked with wasn't sure what sort of biopsy I'll need, but I'll be sure to ask about the options.

    I've started a folder with what I've received so far - hopefully there won't be much more to add to it :)!

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    Well, not much to update. The doctor thinks the radiologist is just being super cautious with the architectural distortion finding. My breasts are quite dense, so she said that makes it more challenging to get a clear read with the mammogram. She wants to hold off on the biopsy for now, and instead we're going to see if insurance will cover an MRI. If not, then I'll go back for another u/s in 2-3 months.

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  • Silbar
    Silbar Member Posts: 163
    edited January 2018

    That actually sounds like great news. I hope the insurance covers the MRI and everything turns out well

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    I finally got the full copy of the results from my mammogram and u/s. This is what the radiologist reported:

    IMPRESSION: SUSPICIOUS OF MALIGNANCY, ULTRASOUND

    PROBABLY BENIGN

    The architectural distortion in the right breast at

    11-12 o'clock posterior depth is suspicious of

    malignancy. A surgical consult is recommended. There

    is no US correlate and no h/o prior biopsy. This has a

    suspicious appearance on mlo tomo views. Surgical

    consult regarding physical exam findings recommended.

    Needle loc would be preferable to stereotactic biopsy

    and breast MR would be recommended for evaluation of

    this area as well.

    letter sent: BIRADS 4/5 Exam

    MAMMOGRAPHY BI-RADS: 4 Ultrasound BI-RADS: 3

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    Ugh...still waiting. It's been 1 1/2 weeks since my appointment, and the last thing I heard from my doctor's office was that it was under medical review now. They just sent me a message today asking for more info on how old my aunt was when she had breast cancer, and if anyone else on either side had cancer. I have a feeling the breast MRI is going to be denied by my insurance.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited January 2018

    Hi there Carolyn. Yep, the waiting + the dang paperwork is sometimes worse than the physical effects! But the "probably benign" finding means you'd be ok to wait six month for another ultrasound I think. Sometimes it feels like either outcome is horrible I know! Do keep in touch.

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    Thanks Georgia! It's weird how my report has "suspicious of malignancy" and then "probably benign" in it...talk about a range of possibilities!

    If I don't get the MRI the dr wants to re-do the u/s in a few months.

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    Well, color me shocked - my MRI was approved! I have it this Thursday 1/18 at 1:15.

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  • teachermomfl
    teachermomfl Member Posts: 104
    edited January 2018

    Congrats on getting it approved. I just had my MRI yesterday. I was worried it wouldn't be approved. The funny thing is, the MRI was yesterday, and today I received a letter from my insurance company letting me know they approved it. lol

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    I had a similar thing happen! I just got a copy of the letter my insurance sent to my doctor in the mail today

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  • teachermomfl
    teachermomfl Member Posts: 104
    edited January 2018

    Those ever so efficient insurance companies!

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    so true lol

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    MRI was this afternoon. Honestly, the worst part of it was trying to get the stupid catheter set for my contrast IV! I have stubborn tiny veins, apparently.

    I might hear back from them by tomorrow afternoon, or Monday at the latest.

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  • teachermomfl
    teachermomfl Member Posts: 104
    edited January 2018

    Too funny! I had the same issue! They have to use the ped needles for my veins. Also, my MRI tech hates needles, so he almost blew a vein in my right hand. Someone else had to come in and put the IV in my other hand. I hope you hear something soon!

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    They blew a vein in my right hand - luckily the one on my left hand FINALLY worked!

    My MRI tech said they try to get results to you within 24 hours, but since I didn't get done until almost 3:00 it might take a bit longer. i'm sure everything is okay, so I'm not stressing about it too much. It'll just be good to feel like I have more answers.

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  • MayDayMelK
    MayDayMelK Member Posts: 69
    edited January 2018

    I am dealing with a similar situation, except the dense area didn't allow them to get a good look with the U/S. Fingers crossed for great results! I go next week to see the surgeon.


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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    Good luck MayDay!

    I have dense breasts, too. The u/s could see the cysts, but not the AD on the right side. We'll see what the MRI shows :)

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  • MayDayMelK
    MayDayMelK Member Posts: 69
    edited January 2018

    Keeping you in my thoughts! Praying that we both get b9 results! I'm glad your INS approved to have the MRI done, I am in a very big love/hate relationship with my INS right now lol

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    I'm so thankful my doctor (well, her PA actually) pushed for the peer-to-peer review!

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    Small update - I got a call from my surgeon's office, and they want me to go back for a targeted high-resolution u/s. The report showed the same area of distortion that was seen on the mammogram, so they want another look. If the u/s can't discern what is going on, then they're recommending me for an MRI-guided biopsy.

    So the wait continues...

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    So on to the next step - targeted ultrasound did not show a mass, so I'll be going in for an MRI-guided biopsy. My doctor's nurse thinks it'll be on 1/30, but I'm waiting on confirmation from the imaging center.

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  • Silbar
    Silbar Member Posts: 163
    edited January 2018

    I hope this upcoming biopsy will provide you with a final and B9 diagnosis. Good luck and keep us posted.

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    Thanks! I’m just ready to get an answer, no matter what it is

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  • Elijahgirl
    Elijahgirl Member Posts: 158
    edited February 2018

    Feeling scared, I really thought I had a grasp on this, the closer my biopsy results draw closer I am finding myself feeling very nervous. I was doing ok until I listened to a BC survivor whose story sounded a lot similar to what I am going through and hers turned out a lot worse than initially thought. In the last few weeks I feel I have been learning a whole new language. I have seen how BC has destroyed my family already and I hate it. I really don't want to be part of this club, I recently lost my Mom from BC and my sister has stage 4 BC with no cure and I will be losing an intimate part of my body how much more will it take This site is so informative but it saddens me to see how this has effected so many beautiful people. Well I have ranted enough thanks again for letting me vent just 3 more days

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  • Elijahgirl
    Elijahgirl Member Posts: 158
    edited February 2018

    OMG! I just I will be getting my biopsy results no the 3 month anniversary of my Moms death, how crazy is that maybe she will be there with good news

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited February 2018

    I totally understand what you’re feeling Elijahgirl. I was a nervous wreck all day, but then I’ll have myself convinced that everything will come back benign. I’m just tired of not knowing either way.

    Huge hugs to you - I’m so sorry about your mom and sister :

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  • Elijahgirl
    Elijahgirl Member Posts: 158
    edited February 2018

    momto3sons, I will be saying a prayer for you tomorrow, best wishes hope you have someone with you

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