Mom Had Biopsy This Morning, Doctor Confident it's Breast Cancer

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longwinter
longwinter Member Posts: 16
edited February 2019 in Waiting for Test Results

Hi, I hope it's okay I'm posting here even though it's my mom going through this. 

A few weeks ago my mom (55) went in for her bi-annual mammogram which was inconclusive so she went back for an ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram at which point cancer couldn't be ruled out because things looked "dense." So she was brought back this morning for a fine needle aspiration. The doctor took a few samples and then asked if she could go back in because the samples she pulled out were "fragmented." I don't know what that means.

Once she got those she let my mom know that she feels pretty sure this is cancer and just to prepare herself. She said her area of concern is a one centimeter or less location and that it's "small." My mom felt the doctors overall attitude was "this is likely cancer, but it's likely very early." 

We'll have the results in 3-5 business days. One of my concerns is that my mother recently had routine bloodwork that showed she's a bit anemic (as she often is though) and her primary doctor told her to take an iron supplement, but doesn't that seem weird since she's postmenopausal? Could this be a sign that her breast doctor is wrong that this is early and perhaps it's metastasized causing anemia? 

My mom is staying optimistic and is very strong and I'm trying to be calm for her but inside I'm freaking out. I had to go in two weeks before her for my own breast ultrasound after finding a large painful lump in my right breast. It turns out I have many cysts there that come and go with my fluctuating hormones. My mother-in-law also just had to go in a few weeks ago after a suspicious mammogram (also turned out to be cysts). It feels like it's just been a season of worry and I guess I'm just looking for others to talk to while we wait for results on her biopsy and then advice on the after part, if, as suspected, this is indeed cancer.

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  • bella2013
    bella2013 Member Posts: 489
    edited January 2019

    Longwinter,

    It’s wonderful that you can be there for your Mom as she walks through this potential cancer diagnosis. I would say to take a deep breath and try to relax while you wait for confirmation of her diagnosis. I know it’s extremely difficult but she has a ways to go in her treatment plan and as you know more information her treatment plan will develop.

    I am not a doctor but I am a post menopausal cancer survivor. Her anemia likely has nothing to do with metastasis. It is very common for post menopausal women to be borderline anemic. As we age our bodies don’t absorb vitamins easily. Before my diagnosis I only took B12 and D3. Now I am on a whole regimen of vitamin supplements.

    It sounds like the doctor is confident that the tumor, whether it’s benign or cancerous, is small and most likely is being caught in the early stage. This will bode well for her.

    Stay off Dr. Google. You will stress yourself out unnecessarily. You have come to the right place by coming to BCO.org. This is a safe place where you will receive lots of information and support. Many others will be chiming in here.

    Thinking of you and your Mom. Keep us posted


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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited January 2019

    Are you asking if it's weird that a post-menopausal woman would be anemic? I'm sure most of us are. Chances are that even if it is cancer it was caught very early and is highly treatable. It's hard not to worry but try to stay diverted and you'll know more as soon as you get the biopsy results.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2019

    Welcome longwinter!

    We're so sorry you're here and worrying for your mom, but we're really glad you've found us. As you can already see, our Community is an incredible source of information, advice, and support. We're all here for you and your mom while you wait for answers!

    Please keep us posted on what you find out -- we'll be sending positive thoughts!

    --The Mods

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  • BrinkOfEternity
    BrinkOfEternity Member Posts: 207
    edited January 2019

    Hi, sorry to hear about your difficult wait. Personally I have never heard of anyone suffering from anemia due to breast cancer. I always had anemia and it did not get worse during the past few years prior to my diagnosis.

    Going through chemo, however, did make my anemia a bit worse but it was still manageable.

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  • longwinter
    longwinter Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2019

    Wow, it means so much to me that you all have replied to me so quickly. Thank you, thank you! I'm 29, so I don't know a ton about post-menopause and knowing that anemia isn't uncommon brings me relief. Thank you for listening and responding. My mom is who I always talk to when I'm scared or worried but obviously I'm not going to share my worries with her right now, I want to be THERE for her so I'm very glad I found this community. Likewise, I have two young daughters so I have to at least present a calm and collected front most of the time. I'm grateful to also have a therapist that I talk to regularly already so I can have a strong support system to talk with when I'm feeling overwhelmed.

    Thanks again for responding and I will absolutely update as I know more. I promise to stay off Google and come here instead.

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  • longwinter
    longwinter Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2019

    This makes sense that chemo would make anemia worse, thank you for sharing your experience. Anemia does run in the women in my family, I myself have struggled with it and though my mom is an overall healthy person (she runs circles around me and I'm half her age) she's not always great about eating a leafy green salad if I'm being honest. It would seem between what both of her doctors are interpreting, and what you've all shared with me here, that the anemia and strong possibility of breast cancer are not related. 

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  • longwinter
    longwinter Member Posts: 16
    edited February 2019

    Hi, I just wanted to update everyone that my mom got the call back today that it is indeed cancer and that they are going to recheck her other breast now out of caution as the doctor sees something small on the other. Thanks for helping me feel less alone in all of this!

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited February 2019

    Longwinter, thanks for the update. I hope you and/or your mom will come back and visit us if you need anything. I also recommend a short book called "Navigating Breast Cancer" by a former nurse, which you can find on Amazon. It helps put everything you'll hear from doctors/read on the internet in perspective. Best wishes.

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