Found hard lump in lumpectomy scar-worried

Dear b.c. family,

So the saga hasn't ended yet. Thank you all for your replies. I had been scheduled for this week (MRI) but insurance denied so the MRI was cx. I don't get why, because my PS ordered (and I got) one 2 years ago to check implant integrity, and no problem with insurance. Wonder if it's a coding thing? If he re-wrote it as implant check they'd approve?

Anyway, now doc has to talk to insurance and advocate for the MRI. He's on vacation and can't do it till next week. I talked to the insurance rep in his office and she said BCBS wanted an ultrasound first. Problem with that is that I understand US can't detect tumors from scar tissue as well as we'd all like, so results could be skewed. If the US is inconclusive, then an MRI can be done, according to the rep. We'll see what my doc can do.

The insurance rep from his office also said that BCBS said something about a mammogram, which made me laugh because I have implants. Any time anyone talks about mammos -- since I had 5 clear ones when I HAD breast tissue and the results of those never detected the tumor that had been there for probably some time, I laugh.

Because I had ILC, which is difficult to detect with mammos/even US sometimes, I want that MRI. Gold standard for ILC. My PS is an old hat at advocating, and he knows me very, very well. Because I'm high risk, I can't take chances.

I wonder if I went to my oncologist instead and told him I felt something if he would be better able to write orders for an MRI? Anyway, I'll keep you posted.

The good news is that for almost a month I've dug around in there and all I seem to be able to feel now is scar tissue and ribs (lumpectomy was right quadrant, right breast, I have little boobs so I can feel my ribs and lumpectomy scar on top of them).

Claire

Thanks other Claire! My PS and I have a close relationship, and he's been at this for 30 years or so. I trust him with my life.

DxDisruption-- haha training is intense and really demanding. I come home after class some days and can't speak .

Hugs to all who offered support. //

Claire in AZ

Thank you all for confirmation. I see my PS on August 13! I'll let everyone know.

Intuitively I just don't feel like anything is happening that is a threat, like I did before the initial dx, but I also remember my good friend who had a Stage IV ovarian c dx--twice; she felt like something was wrong the first time, but the second time she had just hiked out of the Grand Canyon and felt great, and then she got her second dx of St. IV.

She's doing fine by the way--still here and NED 10 years later after that second time.

Claire in AZ

Hi Seattle Claire,

To be truthful, I just knew intuitively it wasn't something to worry about--my intuition is so accurate--, but I felt like I hadn't "closed" the visit with my PS when I first saw him about the disappearing lump, and I finally completed what he suggested we do. That feels as good as the B9 status!