Biopsies on Friday, Birads 4b, and anxiety

stasienic · January 2018

I've been lurking around on this site since I learned last week that I need to have 4 areas of my breasts biopsied. Honestly, I've been looking for stories of people who got benign findings because I am so nervous...

I'm 40 years old and went for my first screening mammogram on Dec. 27. The tech told me they called about 80% of first timers back for a diagnostic mammogram and she mentioned I had dense breasts, so I wasn't too surprised to get the call to report to a breast center for diagnostic imaging. I was able to get an appointment for the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound on Dec. 29.

That's when the real anxiety started... It took forever for the radiologist to come talk with me. When she did, she said she saw some things that concerned her and that I would need to have biopsies. I started crying and just couldn't take in a lot of information. She said she expects the results to come back benign, but that there's no way to know for sure without doing a biopsy.

I called back today and got the following information:

Birads - 4b

In the right breast, I have a 1.2cm suspected fibroadenoma (she expects it to be benign). I also have an 8mm cyst that's complicated (it has walls). They expect to do an ultrasound cyst aspiration on the cyst and an ultrasound core biopsy on the fibroadenoma.

In the left breast, I have 4mm of calcifications (not noted if they're macro or micro) and an 8mm solid area at 10:00. They expect to do a stereotactic core biopsy on the calcifications and an ultrasound core biopsy on the mass.

They were able to move my biopsies up from Jan. 9 to Jan. 5, so I am thankful for that.

I have family history of breast cancer, but no one was diagnosed at 40 or younger (all were in their 50s and/or 60s). I have had genetic testing and do not carry the BRCA 1 or 2 genes.

Any good vibes, expertise, and success stories would be much appreciated! I'm trying to keep my spirits up and I really, really want to help my husband through this too... He's really scared and the anxiety is just eating at both of us.

Thanks in advance!

Joychild · January 2018

Hi there, I just wanted to write to let you know I'm in a similar boat. I'm 38 and had my first mammogram on Dec. 26 after noticing dark red/brown discharge from my breast. After the mammo, and while still in the waiting room, they called me back for magnified 3-D views and an u/s. Radiologist came in and told me she saw a group of suspicious calcifications and a focal area of concern in the other breast and I needed Stereotactic biospy. BI-RADS 4. Biopsy is scheduled for this Thursday for me. Fingers crossed we both hear positive news!

mle78 · January 2018

I don't have a success story, but a similar story to yours. I found a lump just over 2 weeks ago and went for an ultrasound today. I also ended up having a mammogram as I'm 35 and had never had one. The radiologist came in and said both showed that the lump was suspicious and there was a second smaller mass toward my armpit (close to the first one). He said he would categorize it as Birads 5. I don't have the final read yet. They scheduled a core biopsy for the larger mass and a fine needle aspiration for the smaller as well as an MRI and a surgical consult. So, just wanted you to know that you're not alone.

stasienic · January 2018

Joychild -- it is good to know we're not alone. I am sending you good thoughts for Thursday and sincerely hope you get benign results. The waiting truly is awful!

mle78 -- I hope you get good news too! I hope your tests are completed quickly...

I wish I had more words of encouragement, but it is reassuring to know we're not the only people in the world going through this... And sometimes -- in fact, a lot of times from what I understand, biopsies turn out to be benign... That's what I am trying to hold on to...

Silbar · January 2018

There are a lot of January biopsy ladies here and I hope all of you will get B9 results !!!

Georgia1 · January 2018

Hello everyone. I can certainly provide the good vibes, well wishes, and warm thoughts for all of you. The majority of findings are benign, so stay strong and optimistic! We are here for you.

stasienic · January 2018

Thanks so much for the good vibes and well wishes, Silbar and Georgia1! They are truly appreciated!

Beatmon · January 2018

Crossing fingers and toes for benign results

beach2beach · January 2018

I've had a Birads 4 come back benign.That came back as some sclerosing adenosis and a radial scar. (benign, no cancer) I've had other biopsies prior t^{hat were a 3 and came back benign one being a complicated cyst(it fell apart during the biopsy) .}

^{Wishing you benign results.}

Mhuizar42 · January 2018

I also had a ultrasound mammogram come back abnormal recommendation ultrasound biopsy I really need prayers as I will be praying for you I have a 0.5cm by 0.05 by 0.8cm oval mass. This oval mass hypoechoic with posterior acustic shadowing since I have an HMO they did a stat referral need to call tomorrow but I'm concerned but will be strong and positive 😉

marie5890 · January 2018

Sending good vibes to you all!

Remember, they don't do biopsies because they necessarily think you have cancer. Many times, it's a matter of being prudent and ruling cancer out.

So keep busy, but stay away from Dr Google. He won't help you at this point. He will only scare you with his outdated and misleading information.

If you need to stay busy, organize your closets and cupboards. That is what I did while waiting, and mine came back B9. ;-)

stasienic · January 2018

Thanks so much for sharing your stories and for the positive thoughts, beach2beach and beatmon. I'll be praying for you and sending good thoughts, Mhuizar42.

Marie5890 -- I really appreciate your reality check post. THANK YOU!! So happy to hear your results were b9.

I'm a generally anxious person and tend to catastrophize everything -- if something hurts, I think it will *always* hurt... And my anxiety has been at an all-time high since before I started all this testing. Heck -- I never felt a lump or anything -- I just got a screening mammo as part of my annual well-woman exam. I feel like all of this has popped out of nowhere.

I talked to the nurse from my OBGYN's office yesterday and she said that whatever happens, they'll refer me to a breast surgeon for an opinion... And hearing that makes me nervous because I worry I will be in medical limbo forever. I *know* I won't, but ugh...

All that to say that the positive thoughts, prayers, and good vibes on this thread are so, so helpful.

mle78 · January 2018

joychild- I know you have your biopsy today and I'm not sure if you'll read this before, but ill be thinking of you today. I hope it goes well and you get benign results.

RiverdogMom · January 2018

Positive vibes!

I had a Birads 5 just come back as benign, so remain positive. It does happen.

stasienic · January 2018

Thank you so much for sharing, RiverdogMom, and congratulations on the benign result! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you posting here, as I am still a nervous wreck... But you gave me some hope today, and I appreciate it so so much!

I also wanted to join mle78 in giving a shout out to joychild -- I hope your biopsy goes smoothly today and that you get benign results. Sending good vibes!

Hugs, everybody!

marie5890 · January 2018

CONGRATS RiverdogMom!!!! We don't get that too much around here, BIRAD5 coming back B9, so it's so nice to hear!!

RiverdogMom · January 2018

Thank you. Mine ended up being a complex sclerosis lesion. I had my surgical consult yesterday and will have a simple procedure to remove it.

Good luck today! The waiting will be over soon. That is the worst part.

Joychild · January 2018

you are so sweet, thank you for the kind thoughts. Had the biopsy yesterday and now waiting. Radiologist said if it's straightforward then I will hear back today. Otherwise, it's Monday.

I hope all goes well for you today!

Silbar · January 2018

I hope you will hear good news today!!

HollyDollyD · January 2018

Oh hugs!

Definitely take somebody with you for the biopsy. I find that I'm fine in the doctor's office and then fall apart the second I leave. It's also good to have somebody else listen to the instructions - it's a lot to take in.

We'll be praying it's benign - most of them are.

Holly

mle78 · January 2018

Well, I'm done with my biopsy and fine needle aspiration. Now I just have to wait for results. They said I should have them by Wednesday. The procedure itself wasn't too uncomfortable but now I'm starting to feel a little sore. There was a pathologist present for the fine needle aspiration of the smaller spot to make sure they got good enough samples and he said it was definitely a lymph node. Not really sure what that means as of now without more specifics. Hope everyone else is doing ok.

momto3sons · January 2018

Sending prayers for you Joy!

stasienic · January 2018

Well, I had my biopsies today and should get my results on (or maybe before) Thursday. One area that had been marked as a complicated cyst did well with aspiration and the radiologist didn't even feel like that needed to be sent to pathology, but I had three other areas that were. Once I was done with the procedure, I felt a sense of peace and I am hoping that's a good sign. I came home, ate a meal, and fell asleep. Eating and sleeping haven't been easy for me during this wait, so it was good to do both. :-)

Hope you're feeling okay, mle78, and that the wait isn't too long for you. Praying for B9 results! I also hope you're able to get out and enjoy yourself this weekend.

Thanks to all of you for your kind words and positivity!

Silbar · January 2018

I'm glad you were able to eat and sleep with a greater sense of peace! Try to enjoy your weekend and keep us updated. Good luck!

mle78 · January 2018

Hi ladies! I was able to get in a pretty good nap this afternoon. That felt nice. I'm pretty sore and have been taking Tylenol and using ice. I normally work weekend nights as a nurse and took off tomorrow night. Hoping I feel well enough to work Sunday and Monday so I can save my time off (just in case.) Thinking of those waiting for results. I know that's what I'm most nervous about.

Shannie51590 · January 2018

Good luck hope it’s good news. I’ve gone through similar experience just recently. I had my annual mammo in Sept and was called back the next morning for recall. Which was odd I’m 45 and never had any issues. Returned for mammo and US and told 6 month monitoring for issue in left breast birads 3. My pcp didn’t have concern or my gyn. Then in November I had left breast discharge and pain. Referred to breast surgeon who was convinced infection but it came back no bacteria. Then the discharge was bloody. I had MRI which revealed suspicious finding in left breast birads 4. I had mri guided biopsy last Friday. I’m waiting for final pathology and concordance (?). Lots through this process not explained and I’m terrified.

Joychild · January 2018

Hope you all get B9 results.

mle78 · January 2018

joychild and stasienic-

How are you ladies feeling? I'm feeling much less sore today. I'm just extremely anxious to get my results. Whatever the results are, I just want to know. Hope you get your results soon as they are B9.

stasienic · January 2018

Thanks for checking in, mle78! I'm in the exact same boat you are -- not quite as sore today, but feeling super anxious about the results. After the biopsies I felt very positive, but the anxiety has raged back with a vengeance.

So far, my bruising is pretty minimal and it's mostly sore at night -- I am usually a side sleeper, but I am having to sleep on my back because of where the biopsies were (and they got me on both sides). I've got to keep the steri-strips on until Wednesday and showering has been weird because I am scared to get them wet (I cover them with bandages, but I mostly just don't like looking at/messing with my boobs right now).

Really, it's the anxiety that's getting me more than anything though. This is HARD and I am really having a hard time doing normal things.

I really hope you get your results soon and that they are B9. I'm sending you gentle hugs!

stasienic · January 2018

I want to start by thanking all of you for the support here. These boards -- well, the people on them -- are amazing. I've learned so much and seen such generosity of spirit. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

I heard back from my radiologist this morning with good news – everything is okay. The calcifications are benign fibrocystic changes, one of the masses is a cyst with benign breast tissue with fibrocystic change, and the other mass is a fibroadenoma (which is benign). Phew. I need to go back in 6 months for another diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound, but if that checks out okay, I will probably get to go on 12-month screening mammograms again.

I feel like I just let out a breath that I've been holding since Dec. 29. I almost feel like this isn't real – I'm half scared the doctor will call me back and say she accidentally gave me someone else's good report… I know that's not logical, but anxiety isn't logical… It's going to take me a while to unwind from this scare.

I am sending wishes for benign results to all of you who are still waiting.

RiverdogMom · January 2018

Terrific news!

Biopsies on Friday, Birads 4b, and anxiety

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