Waiting for 2nd diagnostic screening

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nightkitties
nightkitties Member Posts: 4
edited September 2019 in Waiting for Test Results

Hi everyone; I'm so glad I found this website. Had my regular screening mammo a week ago; today received a call telling me I had increased architectural distortion in my upper outer right breast posterially (that's not spelled correctly, but I don't know how to check it on here). So now I have to wait until another appointment to see what's happening. Last year it was the same thing, and at the 2nd screening I was told things had "flattened out" ??? The explanation was that different views show different results, and at that time cancer was not suspected. This year, who knows? But the waiting is going to drive me bonkers.

What I don't understand is why do we have to wait at all? That is, when we have our yearly screening, why isn't there a radiologist who reads the test immediately, at which time any required 2nd test(s) would be scheduled at the earliest? At least then, it wouldn't be: wait a week for the initial results; wait another few days for the 2nd appointment; wait another week for those results; wait another few days for a biopsy appointment; wait yet another week for those results. I know, I'm asking too much.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

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  • AnxietyAnn58
    AnxietyAnn58 Member Posts: 22
    edited August 2019

    Hello Nightkitties. I too am playing the waiting game. I have been through this several times and each time the waiting is a nightmare. I wish that all the tests could be done in one day. I have PTSD from this. This year I kept putting my mammogram off. I have no problem with the procedure itself, it's the callback and the waiting that has me so shook up. Thankfully all has turned out good for me, but it does not make a callback any easier. All the best to you. This website is everything to me during this stressful time.


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

    nightkitties--not sure where you live but where I go, you don't get dressed after a mammo but wait for an initial read by a radiologist to see if they need more images or an ultrasound. Those would happen right away. I know things can change between initial and final reading of the mammo but it feels good to get that all-clear to get dressed and go home.

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  • JosieO
    JosieO Member Posts: 314
    edited August 2019

    night kitties,

    After many years getting my mammogram at one hospital system, where they did the exact process you describe, I switched hospital systems (for other reasons) and was stunned to experience exactly what Ingerp described. Agree with her fully that it is a much better system, but I would have never known had I not switched. So after this closure, maybe you can investigate other nearby hospitals and find a better way. I know I push everyone I know to move to the other hospital-peace of mind, time efficiency, and I believe more accuracy.

    Best wishes getting closure and a good final report

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  • nightkitties
    nightkitties Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2019

    Hi ingerp and JosieO: thanks so much for replying and your words of wisdom. I now live in Tennessee, and -- if I'm remembering correctly -- the procedures when I lived in Illinois and California were very similar to ingerp's. I try really hard not to see conspiracies everywhere.... but sometimes it seems the insurance companies have WAY too much to say about how these things are handled. After this is all over, I'm definitely checking out other area clinics/hospitals.

    Thanks again.

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  • nightkitties
    nightkitties Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2019

    AnxietyAnn5: I am also so grateful for this forum! My husband is certainly sympathetic, as he has also had to play the waiting game for other things, but it's so helpful to chat with other women about their experiences. Thanks so much.

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited August 2019

    At the breast center I go to, if it's a routine mammogram for someone who hasn't had any previous problems, you get dressed and go home afterwards. If it's a patient who has had cancer (and possibly other breast conditions) previously, it gets read immediately and, if necessary, additional imaging is done.

    I think if ALL mammograms were read immediately, even on routine yearly ones, it would be a logistical nightmare, requiring more radiologists and space/equipment for them, plus the waiting rooms would be packed like sardine tins.

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited August 2019

    I think it is similar to what Alice described where I go. I get a callback without fail so I ask if it can be read before I leave. Sure enough last year I asked and then received extra pictures, an ultrasound and a referral for a biopsy(B9). Looking forward NOT to this years exam in 10 days. Fortunately I am good at denial so only really start to worry when actually sitting in he doctors office waiting for results.

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  • gretchy
    gretchy Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2019

    I agree. It is brutal to wait. I asked my husband if I was a celebrity would I have to wait a week after an abnormal mammogram to get a biopsy and almost another week for results? I know we're lucky to live in this country it's just so hard to wait.

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  • nightkitties
    nightkitties Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2019

    Hi everyone,

    Well, I finally had my diagnostic mammo and an ultrasound.... it only took about a month....! I am in the clear. Because I have such dense breasts, even at my age (71), it seems to be difficult to differentiate between the good and the bad in there. I guess I'm glad they want to take a closer look, just wish it didn't take so damn long.

    Thank you again, everyone, for all your encouraging and sympathetic words of wisdom. I wish only good news for all of you.

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  • AnxietyAnn58
    AnxietyAnn58 Member Posts: 22
    edited August 2019

    Wonderful news Nightkitties. I finally go in on Tuesday. I am on here this time of night reading a little too much. I am having some serious moments of fear. Your great news is the last post I will read until I go to my appointment. All the best to you.

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  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited September 2019

    Hi,

    Night Kittie...have you tried getting a 3d mammogram...they have better luck with those and less call backs.

    I'm here in Canada...if you are getting a regular screening mammogram with no prior breast cancer they do the films and send you home. The mammograms are read later as part of the screen mammogram program.

    If you had prior breast cancer you get a diagnostic mammogram where they read it while you are there...usually if they send you home without additional images it's a good sign.

    i get so stressed out when i go for follow up i threw up once....lol

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