Call back after digital and 3D Mammo

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postalsmoo
postalsmoo Member Posts: 5
edited March 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

I am new to this forum but I am quite scared.  I got a call back from a digital and 3D mammo from 2/27.  This was my first mammo and I just turned 50.  They said I needed to come back in for a more bi-lateral views and a ultrasound and that the mammo part would take about an hour.  Which is unreal to me because the initial one took maybe 15 minutes.  I am nervous because I thought the 3D part would negate the need for unwarranted call backs for benign issues.  I read the statistics and they all say not to worry and only about 1% is cancer found.  That does not lessen the anxiety.  Especially, I lost my husband 4 years ago due to lung cancer and I recognize the pattern with the docs..  Help and support will be greatly appreciated.  THX

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

    Hi postalsmoo, and welcome to the BCO Community. We are sorry that your present concerns have brought you here but we're glad you've found us! We're sure you'll find support and good information from others soon. In the meantime, the article What Mammograms Show: Calcifications, Cysts, Fibroadenomas reinforces that there are many other benign masses that can come from testing. Hope this helps ease your mind!

    Best wishes with your mammogram and ultrasound, and please let us know how it goes!

    The Mods

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

    When I get a mammo these days they always schedule time for an ultrasound but don’t actually do one unless there’s a reason to. It might be that. Hang in there. The odds are overwhelminglyin your favor.

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  • postalsmoo
    postalsmoo Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2019

    Well I had my diagnostic mammo ( 8 more views and being really squished} and us.   Was told I needed a biopsy on both breasts.  Was also told nurse would talk to me to go over radiologists findings and talk to me about biopsy.  Turns out she left for the day and she would call me tomorrow {today} I did ask what birads I was and she said a 4.  She said they already had in my chart that I had breast cancer which really through me for a loop.  I said no I was never diagnosed and she removed it from my file.  I am wondering who put that in there.  The nurse did call me today and said I had to see a breast surgeon for consult and would have biopsies the next day.  It is scheduled for March 19 and the 20th.  It will be core biopsies.  I asked her specifics from radiologist and she said she could not tell me.  So I have no clue what those spots are though but us lady did say that they were solid and definitely not cysts.  This waiting is all consuming.  I am pretty good all day and only a few OMG moments but alone at night it hits like a ton of bricks.  Any suggestions or advice?

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited March 2019

    Get copies of your radiology report and mammogram so you can read the report, plus it is always good to keep them for future need if you should have to go to a different facility.

    Remember, they are ruling out, not ruling in cancer, and most biopsies are benign. It is also common for this to happen after first mammogram, since there are no old films for comparison and to check for stability

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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited March 2019

    Hi portalsmoo,

    MelissaDallas is right. Birads of 5 means they believe it is cancer and want to confirm it. Birads of 4 means they don't think it is cancer but it could be and they need to rule it out.

    It's pretty common for things to be found on first mammograms that need investigation. Once they confirm it's not cancer, they'll be able to mark it so that it won't raise alarms on future screening.

    That said, of course this is nerve wracking! The waiting is terrible. Take care of yourself, let yourself feel what you feel, get support from friends, distract yourself, whatever works for you. The drip drops of information you're getting would drive anyone a little nuts.

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  • Rah2464
    Rah2464 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited March 2019

    Postalsmoo sorry for the anxiety and stress but on the flip side you have people that are being very careful with you and making sure that any questionable area is examined thoroughly. But we all get it, we have been there with the waiting. So vent on here and update us on how things are going. I think it is standard procedure for nurses and techs to not give out information so try not to read anything sinister into that.

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

    The key to the waiting phase is distraction. Go to a movie, watch some junkie TV, binge-watch something on Netflix, become a March Madness junkie!

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  • SFLmom76
    SFLmom76 Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2019

    Hello all I am also going through a similar scare. I Had my first regular mammo two years ago and the report said i had dense breast, but never followed up with it. I didn't know much about that and it wasn't really discussed as anything with me. I recently did a 3D mammo and my doctors office called me this morning and said I would need to go for a breast us because that came back as inconclusive. I don't have a copy of those reports yet but my doctors office faxed me a script that says Ultrasound: Breast; BILATERAL including axilla; complete. I was able to schedule an US for today. Just a little nerve wrecking.

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  • postalsmoo
    postalsmoo Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2019

    the process is nerve wrecking but necessary. I have a long weekend and then breast surgeon consult on Tuesday and double biopsies on Wednesday and then 2-3 days wait to get results. And if it is cancer more waiting. I keep telling myself it is nothing to worry about until it is but it is hard to do. Keep me posted you should know more after us. Good luc

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  • postalsmoo
    postalsmoo Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2019

    Well tomorrow is the day I get my biopsies.  Wish me luck.  This is one test in my life I need to pass.   (negative , I mean)  I did have the consult with the breast surgeon and I must say I do feel better.  She said that both masses are about 9MM and have characteristics for malignant and benign.  She also said that if it is cancer that can easily remove them and have some chemo but no mastectomy.  Which put me at ease.  My lymphnodes are fine as well.  So if it cancer, it is early.   It was nice just to have someone explain things to me, answer questions I have and explain the process.  To speak to you like a person and NOT a patient.  She also showed me where they were and to feel them.  Kind of odd but I never felt them.  They were just random blips on a screen to me.  I still have some anxiety but I guess that is normal.  I should have the results Friday or at the latest Monday.  Another long weekend I am guessing.  She did tell me to stay away from Dr. Google and WebMD and to relax some.  That they can get me through it.  So again I wait.  I will post ultrasound report tomorrow after biopsies.  

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  • SFLmom76
    SFLmom76 Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2019

    Good Luck!! Hoping for the best for you :-)

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  • postalsmoo
    postalsmoo Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2019

    I just got the call. Both are benign. Follow up

    Mammo in 6 months for changes but I am in the clear. Ya hoo. Thanks to all for your wisdom while I was freaking out. Good luc

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