New, Worried, Trying to Plan Attack

Hi,I have always had mammo/sono due to very dense breasts and ultrasounds can show things that don't on mammo. Is it possible that they see something, sure, but the ultrasound can help to possibly define what it is, and it could be nothing.

Waiting is the worst. Try not to get to far ahead of yourself, though I know its hard, I did to before I even knew if I had anything or not. Fingers crossed it turns out to be nothing.

Hi Miss Vickie, sorry you are here with concerns.  I'm thinking that when you go for further imaging, it will be like a regular mammo, but they will be looking at and magnifying the areas of calcifications.  My imaging center refers to mammograms as either 'screening' or 'diagnostic'.  I go every 6 months for a diagnostic mammo and US on my bad boob, and just get a screening yearly on the good boob.  But whether screening or diagnostic, it is the same as far as what you will experience.  They will then do an US, to see if they can get more information about what they are seeing.  My breast center always calls my GYN NP for approval prior to my appointment, apparently insurance doesn't like to pay unless they get an order for a "diagnostic" mammo.  So I don't think you should worry about this 'change' in what they plan to do...it may just be semantics so that the insurance won't balk.  And of course, I may be totally wrong with this line of reasoning:)  Good luck for benign results!

Well tomorrow is my u/s and spot magnification mammogram.  I have noticed there is a heaviness, throbbing - almost a pulling down on my left breast over the past few weeks.  I don't think it's psychosomatic but anything is possible.  What I have noticed over the past few months is that my  left armpit is tender and sort of lumpy.  The area where my bra and bra strap meets is very snug, uncomfortably so.  

Wish me luck.  For those of you who have had the above procedures, am I allowed to take Aleve beforehand?  My left breast and armpit are tender and I am not relishing the additional pressure of that wand and paddle.  I hope they take a biopsy to just get this over with..

Thanks Melissa for giving me that info on Aleve.  I don't know what to think right now.  The "senior" rad tech told me that  cancer is not painful.  She also insisted that I was Filipina and that Asians are at a much higher risk of breast cancer.  She also cancelled my ultrasound because the radiologist did not order it and blamed it on an office worker for adding it.  She insisted that because their radiologist did not order it, I did not need it because "calcifications" do not show up on ultrasound. 

I found out later, that my NP ordered it.  I would assume my NP ordered it because she read the original radiologist's report (I am picking that one up tomorrow) but to just "cancel" it, don't know.

She said I did not have any mass but that I do have a single cluster of irregular sized and shaped calcifications (at least 40) high up in my left outer breast up against my chest wall.  She said if there is anything, the next step is a Spectro (?) Mammogram with a biopsy but she doesn't see any reason for that, since there is no mass. 

She said cancer does not cause discomfort and that they do not perform breast exams and that I should go back to my NP for that.

I get why she was asking about my ethnic/racial background so I was not in any way offended but I am of various backgrounds, so I didn't know how to answer her question.

Because it is posterior, it is harder to do an ultrasound guided biopsy, hence the stereotactic biopsy. Hoping they schedule it soon, and that it is benihn

I had my MRI w. contrast today and I feel accomplished and relaxed.  Just received a phone call from the radiologist and he believes the micro cals is low grade DCIS.  He said it is in the 3 o'clock, far posterior and is sized at 5 x 21cm, ductal distribution.  He recommends  not to cancel my biopsy later this month, if it is DCIS it is appears early but that a few months can make a big difference.  He did not see the added area of concern that his colleague saw so he will have her go over my MRI image her say. 

He is writing me up for the biopsy to be completed at their location.  He said it is better to have all the testing and procedures done at one facility, instead of bouncing around from place to place.

I signed up with them for the MRI as a cash pay patient to help me gather as much info as possible to the company my insurance pre-approved me for.  I think I will stick with the plan for my additional mammogram and ultrasound of my right breast with the biopsy at the insurance approved place then move over to my local center that worked with me today.

My question is :  Doesn't 5 x 21 cm seem awful large?  I was thinking maybe he mistakenly said centimeters instead of millimeters....

Hi Miss Vickie,

I've been following your thread and my heart goes out to you. I remember well also being bounced around and frustrated by the system in a sheer sense of panic, The constant waiting and wondering is absolutely torturous! I'm also very glad to see that you're advocating for yourself and moving things forward by getting your own tests done.....something I wish I had done. It basically got to the point of me slamming my fist down on my surgeons desk and shouting "when are you going to cut this CONFIRMED malignancy out of me?!?!?!" He actually looked down at his papers and said "oh, when were your results confirmed?" I was floored!....they had been scheduling imaging, biopsies over a period of 3 1/2 months. I completely understand that the system is busy, but all the while the lump on my chest had grown so large that I had to wear clothing that covered it as it freaked out my co-workers. I would constantly hear "why are they taking so long?" Strangely enough a stage 1 was upgraded to stage 2 because of size only (thank god) by the time I hit the operating table. Once I slammed that fist down things finally moved quickly. I honestly think I was slipping through the cracks of the system. Keep up the pressure, it not only will ensure you're taken care of sooner, it will help fill that mind blowing fear you're experiencing presently. You said yourself that getting your own tests made you feel 'accomplished and relaxed'. When I read that it put a smile on my face and I thought "Yup, she's going to be just fine, she's already gaining that strength this experience gives us, good girl!" No matter what happens in the end this experience will really open your eyes to the beautiful strength that lies in your heart and soul. You'll forever be blessed with the ability to handle life's excruciating challenges because you've simply 'been there done that'.

Make sure you take time off of this each day to do something that doesn't involve thinking about all this....an hour even. Be selfish with this time, it's very necessary and very deserved. Keep hanging in and hanging on, we're here for you when it seems you can't. I'm praying that your results are fantastic and keeping the faith that they will be. Please keep us posted if you can. Much love and hugs!

Miss Vickie, best wishes to you and I'm glad to see that you have retained some sense of humor and perspective after all you've been through! Hoping everything turns out benign for you. One thing to note is that MRI technology almost always makes areas of concern seem larger than they really are. Hang in there.

Hi Miss Vickie,

I was searching for the link for djmammo’s thread and suggest you post your report to him for interpretation and saw you’re ahead of the pack...atta’ girl! Give yourself a big pat on the back, we know our own bodies best and that’s something my rad doc confirmed just today. She told me to never doubt what my body is telling me and to always persevere until everything is cleared up, good or bad! Your biopsy is a part of that. Any idea of when they’ll do the biopsy? I’ll be following up on your topic so please post when and if you can. My heart, positive thoughts and support goes out to you...hitting the wall is such an awful part of this process....spoil yourself often. We’re here for you! Hugs!

Damn girl...amazing.....it took me a year out to come to all the conclusions you have. You definitely have the intestinal fortitude to see this through. Good or bad I can see you gaining from this horrid experience to start living...really living! Either way it goes you have earned your badge of strength...don’t see you giving that up any time soon. Hang in, Wednesday is almost here, then you’ll have some answers...keep the slamming fist ready. I’m praying you don’t have to use it. Will watch for your posts! Hugs if strength

Thank you Egads007.  I am back from the functions of the day and I am totally beat.  The diagnostic mamm had to be run twice with 5 views each.  That little paddle/vice grip thing is a device made by the devil himself.  My right boob is bruised from just that, top if off with that ultrasound directly after - I don't ever remember getting so much rough breast play like that.  Despite two Tylenol, half a Xanax and a relaxed mind, boy did those things hurt.

The biopsy wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  The doctor and tech were talking about how they were going to maneuver because the area was so darn high up close to my chest wall.  I have a great empathy for dairy cows, cause I had to have tasted what it is like to get milked. I have a cramp from the nurse having to push my shoulder blade down, what felt like through that opening.  The doctor removed 6 samples from the large area and said I have to come back in six months for whatever they found in my right during the ultrasound.  Should have the pathology report back by next week some time.  No Aleve, vits and even caffeine for a few more days, then it will be back to normal.

Glad it's over and ready for my heavy nap.  

Ms. V., Ouch! Sounds like yours was about the same area as mine was, high up,so I hear you on the difficulty....dairy cows lol!! Glad you came through as Rhonda said ‘like a trooper’...well done girlfriend! I hope you’re sleeping like a baby right now....and get plenty of rest tomorrow. These tests while necessary, are so exhausting! Let us know how you’re doing when you’re up to it. You get a gold star for today...you rocked it!!

Hey Ms. V!

Wait the full 7 days before you get scrubbing too hard...that is unless you want to chance infection...so yeah, hang in. I know it’s hard, sponge baths leave a lot to be desired! I’m sorry about the jolting pains, they’re no joke! You’ll be back in working order soon hun. As for the wait...well we’re here to get you through that. I baked 453 cookies and 249 loves of bread to keep busy during my wait...we’re now using them as doorstops! Glad to see your update...sending 985 positive vibes your way!

Ms. V,

Yes, 80% are benign. Good to see you’re managing by doing things that relax you! Keep on keeping on hun.

Jonsgirl, I think you are confusing BIRADS with something else. BIRADS stands for Breast Imaging- Reporting and Data System

BiRADS 0: information is incomplete

BIRADS 1: Mammogram is negative. Continue routine screenings

BIRADS2: Mammogram is normal, but other findings are discussed in report. Continue normal screenings.

BIRADS 3: A little into the gray zome. Mammogram is probably normal, but about a 2% chance of cancer. Typically repeat mammogram in 6 months, unless significant symptoms of history, in which case, additional imaging may be ordered.

BIRADS 4: Suspicious. There is a 20-35% chance your mammogram shows cancer. Biopsy is typically recommended.

BIRADS 5: Mammogram is highly suspicious, with a 95% chance of cancer.

BIRADS 6: Cancer has already been determined by pathology.