Diagnostic Mammogram and Ultrasound tomorrow 40yrs old

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Iamchristina260
Iamchristina260 Member Posts: 5
edited May 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

A few months back I found a lump under my right nipple. I decided to wait until after my period to see if it went away like my sisters lump did. I honestly forgot about it for about 3 months. When I checked again I could feel it a lot better. I've been on a weightloss journey to get healthier and to help with some arthritis pain in my knees. I've lost 37 pounds over the last 7 months so this could be why I was able to get a better feel of the lump. It's hard, doesn't move and I struggle to describe the shape. It's about an inch wide, takes up the whole bottom half of the areola. I called my doctors office and got in 2 days later. The doctor could easily feel it. She said she didn't think it was a cyst but confirmed that it felt textured and hard and although she tried pretty hard to get it to move it wouldn't. She said it was really dug in there. It's flat, hard, textured and not round. Anyway, she ordered a screening mammogram, diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound. Last night noticed a few pebble type parts on it as well. I assume those became easier to feel since I'm a week and a half out of my period so any breast swelling has subsided. Just by reading the posts on this forum I see how much anxiety this causes everyone. 5 years ago we lost our 10 year old son to Stage IV Neuroblastoma after an 18 month battle. Going to the doctors office in general is incredibly difficult. The smell of the office and everything connected to that has been difficult. Tomorrow I will have to face those fears again with all of the equipment. My son had so many scans of so many type during his treatment. I haven't been sleeping. It's been about 2 weeks since I went to my doctors to have the lump looked at. We have no history of breast cancer in my family. I'm 40 years old with saline breast implants that are probably way past their life expectancy. The stress has been almost unbearable. I haven't been able sleep the last few nights. The hysteria in my mind is affecting everything. I cannot wait for tomorrow to be done with so they can tell me it's just an average lump and I can stop worrying. Being in this situation where it's most likely nothing at all and being this stressed out really makes me think about how terrifying it must of been for my son (he was 9 at diagnosis). He hid it well. He was wise beyond his years and it breaks my heart when I think about how many feelings he probably kept to himself to spare us worry. I will update tomorrow after my appt. Any advice on anything is much appreciated.

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  • Spoonie77
    Spoonie77 Member Posts: 925
    edited April 2019

    Just want to say I'm thinking of you. This is the hardest time IMO - the waiting, the worry, the unknowns.

    The fear, the panic, and of course all of the trauma and anxiety and sadness you have from your past with your son, must be beyond intense. I'm so sorry you are going through this.

    My fingers are crossed that like you say it all turns out to be a normal lump, with nothing more to worry about.

    If that is not the way things go, I offer this to you.

    I was 41 at my dx. It's been a rough road. I think what I've learned so far is that assembling a team you can trust and talk to you, that LISTENS to you and your gut, is paramount. If you have to cross that bridge, I hope you can find doctors that will be there for you and help provide you with the resources you'll need over the next year. Also, take friends/family with you to appointments to help you take notes and just to be there for emotional support.

    I will also say, IMO Acupuncture and Physical Therapy after treatment have been my friend.

    But for now, with all of the unknowns, just try focusing and living in the moment. Try not to think months from now or years from now.

    Wishing you peace, moments of hope, and tremendous strength....

    Please keep us posted.

    Hugs.

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  • Iamchristina260
    Iamchristina260 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2019

    Thank you for your reply! This site has been so helpful. So many great article and descriptions of benign lump conditions that help ease some of these fears. In the childhood cancer community we called this waiting period "scanxiety". Wating for the scan and then another week to get results. I kept going back and fourth about having my husband come. He wants to come but I was just thinking that I have no idea how long this type of appt is and I'm not sure what they will allow him to be a part of so I didn't want him to sit there for hours waiting on me. At the same time I remember when we went in the day they told us about our son and forgetting half of the information because my brain seemed to stop working once I heard what he had so it might be good to have a second set of ears there just in case. Then my brain tells me, it's silly to have him miss half a day of work for nothing. Also, I have no idea what they do or do not tell you during these appts. So many unknowns. I think he's coming either way. He would never intentionally let on that he's worried but I know he must be because he let it slip the other day that he had "read something" which tells me he's done a bit of research. It may be good for him to be there just to hear everything is fine

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  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 868
    edited April 2019

    you just have to keep telling yourself that you are exhibiting good self care and getting it checked out. It's a good idea to bring hubby. Let us know your Bi-Rad score when you get it.

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  • Iamchristina260
    Iamchristina260 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2019

    How do these appts work? Do they usually take awhile? Do you do each test separately and have a wait between each thing you're having done?

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  • melza89
    melza89 Member Posts: 64
    edited April 2019

    My appointment took more than 3 hours but I also had a biopsy. There were a few patients ahead of me so i had to wait a half hour or so after my original appointment time. So the amount of time you wait might depend on the facility's procedures and how busy they are at the time of your appointment. My screening & diagnostic mammograms were done at the same time, but they took a while because the tech had trouble getting good images (I have tiny & dense breasts). After that I had to wait around 20mins for the ultrasound. Then another 20mins to see the breast surgeon. Depending on what your mammo & US look like, they might recommend a biopsy & some places can do a biopsy on the same day.

    If I had known better, I probably would've taken anti-anxiety meds before the appt.

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  • Spoonie77
    Spoonie77 Member Posts: 925
    edited April 2019

    "Anyway, she ordered a screening mammogram, diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound."

    "How do these appts work? Do they usually take awhile? Do you do each test separately and have a wait between each thing you're having done?    "

    ----------------

    I had a similar call back after my first mammogram. They needed extra imaging so I came back for that and the US.

    I was there for about 2 hours. I REALLY wish I had had someone with me when they told me the results after the US. I blanked on a lot of it and was pretty shocked. They informed me that it was almost definitely breast cancer, due to its appearance/behavior/etc with a Bi-Rad 5, and scheduled me at that time for a Core Biopsy (which I came back for 2 days later). My PCP, who works in the building, actually came down after the US (they had called her to discuss while I was waiting) to talk further with me and console me.

    It sounds like your husband would like to be there, even if he can't be in the room for the Mammo with you. He may be allowed in for the US. My sister was allowed in to hold my hand for the Biopsy. I think each center is different in who they allow in to the rooms during procedures. But I'm sure that before anyone discusses results or such with you, your husband could come in for that to be with you.

    Wishing you the best tomorrow.

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

    Iamchristina,

    Welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're so sorry for the worry that brings you here, 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!

    We will send our best thoughts your way for good results tomorrow -- please keep us posted with what you find out.

    --The Mods

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

    Your husband wouldn't be missing work for nothing - he'd be missing it to be with someone he loves while she is facing something difficult and scary. That is a precious gift for you both. Don't feel bad about having him be there even if most of the time is waiting around.

    I had my own baggage with my diagnosis, but different than yours. I'll just say, it really can be worth talking to a professional (social worker/therapist/psychiatrist), and also, it's ok to focus on your own feelings and experiences. It's might be worthwhile one day to think about how this experience for you helps you understand your son's experience from his perspective, but I think that day is not now. It's much too fresh and overwhelming.

    I hope everything will come back benign for you! Odds are definitely in your favor. This waiting time is the worst. Whatever it is, you will deal with it, and the reality will be much more handle-able than the specter.

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  • Iamchristina260
    Iamchristina260 Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2019

    Thanks ladies. He is going to come with me tomorrow. I will update as soon as I know more

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  • Spoonie77
    Spoonie77 Member Posts: 925
    edited May 2019

    Thinking of you. Hope today went as smoothly as it could, given the circumstances. So glad your hubs will be going with you. Waiting is one of the hardest parts.

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