My gyn found a mass deep in my left breast on Fri Oct 6th
I am in shock and denial. Following a thorough breast exam with a new gyn, she took my hand and said "I want you to feel this". She placed my hand over hers and said "here is a lump". Even as I type this I feel like it is someone else writing these words. Since I was not keeping up on my annual paps and mammo she advised that I get a bilateral mammogram to check both breasts. She also referred me to a surgeon. She told me to call the surgeon...not to wait until after I get my mammogram. She said "tell him I am referring you." My mind is reeling thinking about the history of breast cancer in my family....My maternal grandmother and aunt both died of breast cancer approx. 2 years following their dx. It was many, many years ago, but they were in their early 60's. I turn 60 next year. (as I pause to take a deep breath before I can continue writing) So...here I am doing the Dr. Google thing. I should know better, right? However, I am glad I did because it helped me find this group. After spending well over an hour reading your posts I thought to myself...I am one lucky gal to have found this group. Your posts are thoughtful, kind, supportive and most of all very informative. So, on Monday I will be calling the surgeon to schedule an appt. I think about what my gyn told me..."tell him I am referring you." I hope this means they have a solid, ethical and competent professional relationship, and my gyn is steering me into good hands. I guess I will know more after I call his office and tell him my gyn "sent me". I vacillate between "this is a new gyn...she doesn't know my breasts so it can't be a "real" lump ( or mass as I saw written on her notes ) to....feeling like I am in this trance-like state feeling slightly spaced out unable to focus. And yes, I have broken down in tears once or twice but mostly I feel kinda numb. I don't want to share this with anyone until I have more information. I feel it would be so unfair to share with my family and close friends at this point in time. Any suggestions about how to deal with anxiety, fear, numbness would be greatly appreciated. And any other thoughts you would like to share with me.
Comments
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My story is similar in that my gyn found the lump. Almost exactly a year ago. The crying and numb feeling is normal. I remember thinking it felt weird that the world just kept turning while my personal world stood still. Its going to be a difficult time waiting for your tests, the surgeons appointment and then for results. Waiting for this stuff is torture. One day, one moment at a time. Cry as much as you want, it's not weakness it's normal. I found it easier to tell close friends, but I am terrible at hiding things. So that worked for me.
Have you scheduled your mammogram yet? If possible see if you can find a place that does same day results (not always possible). It helps cut some of the waiting anxiety torture time.
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Oh and welcome to BCO!!
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Hi Lifeisabeach,
Welcome to the BCO community.
We're so very glad to see that you've joined our forums and that you've been finding them helpful so far.
It sounds like you and your family have been through a lot of difficult times and we're so sorry that both your grandmother and aunt died of Breast cancer.
The numb feeling that you describe is something that many other members here will be able to relate to and understand and hopefully some of them will chime in here to share their stories and experiences with you.
Just know that you're not alone, we're here to support you as best we can.
The Mods.
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So sorry you've found yourself here, lifeisabeach59, but you're right, we're a pretty good bunch of ladies (and men) and we know firsthand exactly what you're going through.
Your life will probably be a whirlwind of appointments and tests for the next few weeks. I see you are already planning a mammogram. After that most of us have a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound. If they can't rule out cancer from that they will recommend a biopsy. I was super worried about that but it turned out to be no big deal. I also had an MRI - which found DCIS on the other side that the mammogram missed.
I hope that the surgeon that you've been referred to is a breast surgeon. I feel like you get the best care from dr's who do this all day, every day.
Hang in there and just focus on doing whatever it takes to protect your health.
Lucky
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gb2115 Thank you for sharing your story with me. I see that you have been diagnosed and treated. I hope you are doing well.
My gyn called it a mass. It is very deep. Feels like it is on the chest wall, if that makes sense. Are you willing to share where your doc found your lump / mass?
My gyn, the surgeon she referred me to and the mammo place are all located at the same health care facility. I am going to call the surgeon's office tomorrow to make an appt and ask him where they recommend I get the mammo. I will ask if they have "next day" results. Thank you for that infomation!!
My gyn ordered a screening mammo of both breasts, since I have not had one in many years. She also told me that since I have dense "lumpy" breasts, in my case, the mammo may not even find this lump. I guess I just need to take it step by step and ask a lot of questions along the way. I think I need to keep a notebook so I can write things down. This feeling of things being surreal is very uncomfortable...ugh ugh ugh
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Mods - Thank you for reaching out to me with such a warm welcome! It is bittersweet to be here. I can already feel the support but this is not where I ever expected to be.
With such a strong family history I feel like I should not even be shocked....but I am!!! I want to know everything right now!!! But I know that is not how this is going to work.
I am already getting responses from group members and that is encouraging to me. Thank you!
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Lucky, Thanks for welcoming me to the group. I have a feeling this is going to be a whirlwind, for sure.
My gyn told me that she has worked with this surgeon for decades. I looked up his info. His profile does not indicate he is a breast surgeon, per say. It shows of list of procedures that he does and breast biopsy is on the list. He is in his 70's. A highly seasoned doc, for sure. Per the rec of my gyn, I will start with him. She was very clear that he was the right person to help me.
Thanks for your advice and information. I just joined this group late last night and already getting feedback is a really good feeling!
life
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My mass was pretty deep too!
My surgeon isn't strictly a breast surgeon either...she also covers emergencies for the hospital and does some general surgery, but she does a whole lot of breast cancer surgery. So much my oncologist was very familiar with her, and my gyn recommended her to me. She did a great job and I trust her. Hopefully you will like this doctor!! And if you don't you can always get a second opinion!!
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I know it's hard but don't panic not all masses are BC. You will need tests including a biopsy to get your diagnosis. If it is BC there will be plenty of time for worry later. BC does not equal a death sentence there are wonderful people here who have walked the path made it through and will be happy to offer you comfort and wisdom. I'm sorry you find yourself here just take it one appt and one test at the time.
Sending you best wishes for B9 results!!!!!
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Update: After a really thorough breast exam my gyn told me I have a deep mass in the left breast. I am 59 years old with a strong family history of breast cancer, but this is the first time a doc has ever found a "mass". She recommended a surgeon. I went to see him and after a 2 minute (at most) clinical exam of the left breast, he said I don't have a mass. He said it is "lumpy breasts" and my gyn is being "cautious".
My gyn ordered a screening mammo of both breasts. She told me most mammos are up to 40% inaccurate and they almost never find a "deep mass."
When I saw the surgeon, I brought the script from the gyn for a screening mammo. He I needed a diagnostic mammo and an ultrasound of the left breast. Both are scheduled for Oct 19.
Such mixed messages and conflicting info...I have gone from fear and denial to feeling angry!
I will get the diag mammo and US and go from there.
I also have bilateral greenish colored nipple discharge. The surgeon is acting like it is a possible serious condition. After reading up on it, it does not meet the criteria for a pathological nipple discharge. This makes me feel even more leary.
What do I do.....start over with new docs? This is already a CF and it has only just begun. They are not giving me peace of mind, they giving me more grief!
Any suggestions?
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lifeisabeach, I would proceed with the imaging study as that seems to be what any provider would recommend at this stage. See what the imaging report says and what the recommendations are. If you are still leery, then you can get a second opinion. Get a copy of the written report and post it here for assistance in better understanding it. Look for the BIRADS score and then make a decision. Good luck!
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Hi MT - Thanks for your feedback. Yes, I will get the imaging studies. No reason not to. But the procedure for the nipple discharge is still a ? in my mind. The surgeon did not discuss it with me. He more or less said, "let me take care of you" I, for one, prefer shared-decision making when it comes to my health care. NOT a paternalistic attitude.
As so the next steps start on Thurs....
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so Hopkins' website states that green discharge can be a sign of a breast cyst draining. So my assumption is that they'll image first, and then go from there, based on what the imaging shows (including a cyst that could also explain the discharge). I do know it can be stressful, try to take one step at a time.
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Life
Let us know what the Mammo + US shows. If you have not had a Mammo in the past year let them know so they will do a bilateral Mammo. Also tell the tech the lump is very posteriorly placed near the chest wall and they will try to pull you further into the machine.
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Hi DJ - Thanks for your reply. Last mammo in 2011. I know....bad me! But without insurance for much of that time.....ugh.
The mammo script says bilateral MammoPlus Diagnostic. Not sure if 2D or 3D.
There is a hand written note by surgeon that says "Palpable? Left breast" Another ugh
When the gyn referred me to the surgeon, she gave me a script with a handwritten picture of the location of the mass she felt and wrote a note saying "Lt Breast deep non-tender mass". I will bring this with me to the mammo on Thurs. I also called the last place I had a mammo and asked them to mail the CD to the facility I am going to on Thurs. The facility I am going to on Thurs originally said they would not do the mammo without the CD from my priors. I told them it had been MANY years. I called them today to let them know I asked the former clinic to mail the CD's - and hopefully they will receive by Thurs.
Sorry for all the details....but as they say, that is where the devil is.....another ugh and *heavy sign*.
I will post update after I get the results.
Thanks again for your feedback. I appreciate it!
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DJ - Another piece of info. I saw an ad on Facebook about a Genius 3D Mammo. It had a list of providers in my area. The place I am going to on Thurs is on their list.
When I spoke with them, I asked them if they do Genius 3D. They said they never heard of it. Yet another ugh and *heavy sigh*......
Can't wait until these tests are over with. And even then, I wonder what level of peace of mind I will have since my gyn told me there is like a 40% inaccuracy rate, especially with "masses" that are deep / chest wall.
Thanks again for your time.
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“Genius" is a trademark of the company Hologic that makes one of the available 3D units on the market. If they never heard of it they must have a different brand.
You Gyn has some odd opinions about breast imaging. Perhaps they have had problems with the local radiologists’ readings.
If you get to choose where to go find one that is an ACR accredited Breast Imaging Center Of Excellence. You can look them up at acr.org. They have to meet certain quality requirements to get certified.
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Dear lifeisabeach: if it turns out you need a biopsy, consider finding a surgeon that you are comfortable with. It doesn't sound as though your first appointment with the one you saw was a good one
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MT - Yes, frustrating, to say the least. Thanks for your support and encouragement. It means a lot!
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dj - Thanks for the info and support! It is very helpful.
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Hi Beatmon - Yes, at this point I am not impressed by either doc. Too unorganized, conflicting information, etc. The surgeon told me he is a breast surgeon.
However, his online profiles indicate he is General Surgeon. I guess he is "self-designating" himself as such, since he told me he does a lot of breast biopsies?
Again, he had poor conversation skills and more or less wanted me to just defer to him and his recommendations.
Another ugh and heavy sigh............
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Life
What kind of biopsy are you having? Image guided needle biopsyat a Breast center or open excisional biopsy by a surgeon?
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dj - here is the info re: the mammo I am scheduled for on Thur Oct 19th.
MammoPlus® - an Advanced Risk Assessment
If you know someone who has been touched by breast cancer, you know the importance of regular breast screenings. St. Mary Mercy offers MammoPlus® - a digital mammography screening PLUS a lifetime risk assessment for breast cancer.
With MammoPlus®, we're able to determine if you are at higher risk for breast cancer, as well as monitor your breast health more accurately.
Our mission is to keep you healthy, but we also know if there is a chance of breast cancer, the sooner it is discovered, the better chance of beating it.
Benefits of MammoPlus®:
- Provides more information sooner
- Learn if you are at higher risk with an assessment score
- You and your referring physician are alerted to your score right away
- MammoPlus® results given within 48 hours
- If necessary, a more in-depth high risk assessment is scheduled with our RiskPlus™ program in our High Risk Clinic
- There is no additional cost for MammoPlus®
St. Mary Mercy Livonia uses digital breast tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography. Tomosynthesis is a revolutionary new screening and diagnostic breast imaging tool used to improve the early detection of breast cancer. During the 3D part of the exam, an x-ray arm sweeps over the breast, taking multiple images in seconds. Images are displayed as a series of thin slices that can be viewed by our radiologists as individual images or in a dynamic interactive animation.
Studies have shown 3D mammography to have better breast cancer detection rates than conventional 2D mammography. Tomosynthesis has also been proven to reduce the number of call-backs for further imaging.
RiskPlus™ Analysis Report
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dj - I looked up the website you gave me acr.org I also looked up Society of Breast Imaging. Both very valuable resources.
I am supposed to get my reports within 24 - 48 hours. Since the mammo is scheduled on a Thurs, I expect it could be Monday. They also ordered an ultrasound of the left breast.
After I get the results of the imaging studies I will post an update and any recommended next steps.
Thanks for keeping in touch with me! The support means a lot since I have not shared with family / friends until I have more definitive information.
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dj Sorry I didn't answer your question about the biopsy. Will get imaging done on Thurs and post update as soon as I get results.
Thanks!!
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I had a 3D Mammo and ultrasound of the left breast last week. I was told that both tests were normal with no signs of a left breast mass. After both tests, the radiologist came in to the exam room. He shook my hand and said everything looked OK and said "see you in a year."
I am SO relieved!!! I did not get a written report with my BIRADS Score, but I think they said it will be mailed to me.
Your support helped me get through a period of very high anxiety! I am so grateful to have found this group. Thank you to all of you who where there for me as soon as I joined this forum.
Many thanks, hugs and love to all of you!
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Well that is GREAT news! Congratulations to you!!
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Denise-G Thank you for the kind words! I hope your treatment is going smoothly, meeting your needs and you obtain / maintain good health
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Hello All,
I am coming back to first say Thank You to everyone who reached out to me during a very stressful time!!!
Happy to report that I finally had the bilateral breast MRI w/ and w/o contrast and the results were Negative!!!!!!!!
No sign of any malignancy in either breast including the palpable area of concern in the left breast (found by my GYN)
Well wishes to all of you...no matter where in this journey you may be.
Take care!
Anita
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