What does this even mean?

Hi MayDay,

I'm sorry, I have to admit that I have no idea on your diagnosis, but I wanted you to know that I wish you the best of luck with it!

Waiting is the hardest part, and I hope that you get good news!

May, I was wondering if you had your MRI yet and if you got your results? I just had mine Sunday and they stated it is suspicious for ductal carcinoma. I have to go back for a second look mammo and US to look just at the area found on my MRI. I'm hoping they can do a biopsy at that time and that I won't have to wait and schedule a MRI guided bioposy. Really just looking for someone in similar shoes. Right now, after reading the report, I feel like I want to cry because it seems so certain now. But I also feel like I don't yet have permission to cry since it still is not definitive without a biopsy/pathology result.

I was kind of a bad patient, lol. I had not heard from my doctor for 3 days so I went to the imaging center and asked for a copy of my report, since I was told it would be done within 2 days. I thought they would tell me no but they gave it to me without any question. The next day I called my doctors office in the afternoon to make sure they had received the report. I thought they may not have received it since I was sure they would call immediately once they read it. The receptionist told me they had received it and put a note in that I had called inquiring. 30 minutes later another doctor called and told me my doctor was on vacation and that the report had just been sitting in her inbox, overlooked. I admitted I had already read the report and she advised the results were concerning and not what they had expected, while apologizing they had not called earlier. She told me they always do a second diagnostic mammo and US that specifically looks at the areas that are first found on MRI. That is now scheduled for next Wednesday and they will do a biopsy at that time if they can see it. Otherwise I will have to wait and schedule a MRI guided biopsy. I've never had a biopsy before so that itself will be a learning experience!

I am so sorry your MRI had to be postponed!!! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, and that it will give you some answers to what is going on. It is crazy how stressful this waiting and wondering about the unknown is.

I am pretty sure that your imaging center/hospital/whatever has to give you your reports by law. You can get a printed copy of the report as well as a disk with any scans on it. My previous MO didn't call me with results very quickly, so this has become my modus operandi -- go and get the reports myself and then see if the MO will talk about it once she knows I have the reports. Personally, I think it's inexcusable that MOs do not call cancer patients with test results as soon as they can -- and by that, I mean the day that they receive the reports.

BevJen, thank you for telling me that! I'm thinking of telling my doctor to just hand me a copy of the report in the future so I can read it over and ask questions instead of them giving me their summary. I have found it amazing recently how much information is actually provided in the report. I don't understand why they choose not to share it with us especially considering how poor their communication can be. I had a chest x ray after surgery in January. The report was posted in my patient portal and it stated I had a slightly enlarged heart. This is brand new since I just had an Echo 2 years ago and am under the care of a cardiologist. I figured that information would be given to my cardiologist but found out it was not at my last appointment. My cardiologist was surprised when I asked about it. It is scary how much it seems like important things actually are slipping through the cracks.

MayDay: Yeah the MRI sucked! I had a cervical rib and first rib removed in January due to pinched nerves and that arm positioning was not fun! Has me really hoping they can do a stereotactic or US guided biopsy. Hoping you get a call today or tomorrow so you don't have to wait until Wednesday!

I am so sorry that ended up being your first phone call!!! Honestly I'm kind of pissed for you about their lack of tact. I've been very lucky in that regard so far. My imaging center used to be really bad about demanding payments immediately, but this go around I even offered to pay before the procedure and they told me not to worry about it and to just wait for the bill in the mail.

Hopefully having to make those phone calls helps with keeping you distracted while you wait.

I hope the report has nothing but good news today. Thinking nothing but the best for you!

Al