I am desperate

Gic1430

I'm so sorry to read this. Praying that your biopsy on Friday will turn out benign. Please keep us posted.

I’m so very sorry you are going through this

I am so sorry. I completely understand the fear, as I have recently had a biopsy, which was thankfully benign and am waiting for another procedure and pathology. As much as it's easier said than done, focusing on the present and not thinking of the what-ifs is really what we need to do. The majority of scans and biopsies are benign, so as hard as it is, think of that when you start to stress. My mom, who is a BC survivor, told me to have a 5 minute "pity party" when it's overwhelming but to then move on. This has helped limit me overthinking and planning for the worst. Chin up! I'll keep you in my thoughts.

A more invasive form of DCIS is still DCIS unless it had broken out of the ducts, in which case it would be invasive ductal. If it is small, and hormone-responsive, and HER2-, treatment options may not be as bad as you are imagining, nor the odds in terms of outcome.

But first, and foremost, you have a 75% chance this is not cancer. Try distraction and get some Ativan from your doctor to get you through until you have results. I don't think your husband needs to worry yet either, so reassure him.

There are many posters on this forum with special circumstances like yours, and they will be very supportive if you do indeed have cancer, but odds are, you don't, or you have a pre-cancer that might be easy to deal with.

Gic, does your mammogram report indicate that your calcifications have a "suspicious casting pattern"?

Or have you just read that this is a particularly concerning type of calcifications?

Gic, Im not exactly in your shoes, but i understand what its like to be a caregiver. My DH has been disabled for 12 years with heart & lung disease. He relies on me to direct his medical care (I'm a nurse) and I am his caregiver during acute exacerbations. I was also the main caregiver for my severely handicapped son for 17 years. So I really do get that fear.

Try to keep your hands moving: cleaning, painting, building, sewing, etc. Busy hands will help you keep your mind from persevarating on your fears. Try to limit your time on the internet. Much of the info you see on the internet is out of date and incorrect. And none of it is specific to your particular sitiation.

I sympathize with you. You're in the WORST place now. Very little information and lots of uncertainty. It will get better. Once you know what you're dealing with you will feel more in control.

I pray this is benign and that you have strength to endure. You are not alone. We have your back.

Gic, calcifications are very common. About 60% of women get them at some point.

Most calcs are benign and harmless, and often this is quite evident from the appearance of the calcifications on the mammogram.

Other times, the calcs may have an appearance that is usually benign, but also could be a sign of cancer. Because the Radiologist can't tell, those are deemed to be “suspicious" and a biopsy is done. The word “suspicious" is scary, but in fact about 75% - 80% of these biopsies turn out to be benign. If cancer is detected, it is usually DCIS.

Then, in a small percent of cases, the calcifications might have a pattern that indicates a high probability cancer. About 95% of the biopsies in these cases do in fact find cancer and only about 5% turn out to be benign.

Everything you've said suggests that your calcs fall in the 2nd category, “suspicious" but likely to be benign.

This document explains all about calcifications: http://www.radiologyassistant.nl/en/p4793bfde0ed53/breast-calcifications-differential-diagnosis.html You can see that most often, even suspicious calcs are benign, but when they're not, they are usually DCIS, a non-invasive cancer

Good luck tomorrow.

Hang in there hun. Soon you'll know and once you know, you'll know what to do next. One step in front of the other, don't rush ahead.
The biopsy will be fine. They'll numb you and you can use icepacks and take tylenol after.
Breathe in, breathe out. Focus on the breath. One. Then another one. Then another one. When your thoughts run away, just go back to the breath.

You can do it. You're stronger than you think.

Prayers going up for you Gic. Keep the faith that everything will turn out okay.

some times churches will help quietly with these types of expenses or contact your local Salvation Army

Gic, that's great news! See, we told you not to be so worried because of what you read on the internet! Dr. Google is a mean old guy who scares people and who too often is wrong. Of course, there was the possibility of cancer - that's why you were having the biopsy - but based on what your doctor told you, the odds really were in your favor, and thankfully your results landed you on the right side of the odds!

The 6 month follow-up is normal standard of care after a benign biopsy result. It's just a double check to confirm that everything looks the same. Think of it as the one last safety check. It's nothing to worry about.