Core Needle Biopsy Done 10/28

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Wespe
Wespe Member Posts: 13
edited November 2020 in Waiting for Test Results

I'm 36 F w/heterogeneously dense breasts and had a CNB done today. At the beginning of the pandemic (March) I noticed a small dent. In July I reached out for an appt, but because of the shutdowns they were backed up til this month (October). She felt something in the area of the dent and ordered the mammogram/ultrasound. 

Last week I had the mammogram and ultrasound. Radiologist told me he wanted a biopsy done asap but as he couldn't do one, that brings me to today.

I had it done this morning. If you're scared of the core needle biopsy, don't be. It's not fun and if you're not numbed up all the way, yes there might be a little pain, but it goes very fast. Worse than getting your ears pierced, not as bad as the dentist. They do a mammogram after, but you're numbed up still and not as extreme as the previous mammogram so no sweat. I chilled today, but could of definitely handled normal routine things.

After that, I met with the doctor and nurse navigator. Obviously no paths back yet. The doc said she is 90-95% sure it is something sinister. She said she does have 1-2 a year that fool her so she could be wrong. We talked about if I planned to have kids (none yet) and she said while waiting on paths to assess things like that as well as other things in my life in responsible for as the providers will want to take that into account when making decisions. The nurse navigator gave me a big book full of highlighted info. I am a pretty analytical person and appreciated that. 

I'm not overly stressed as what will be will be and one step at a time with whatever is needed. I've decided not to talk to anyone about it since bless their hearts I have a lot of highly sensitive folks in my inner circle and am a little worried about the emotional energy as I don't have it in me to "comfort them" right now and I don't want questions I can't answer or folks jumping to worst conclusion. I am tough and science is awesome. 

That being said, I thought it might be a little cathartic to get some of it out. Being told to get your life in order is pretty sobering. I've been creeping on these threads for the last week and they've helped me so I thought I'd also share and maybe that will help someone else. 

Notes from 1st mammogram/ultrasound appt: BI-RADS 4, 2.7x2.0x2.5cm, solid somewhat lobulated nodule w/irregular shadowing. 

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Comments

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2020

    Wespe - sorry it looks negative. I agree about not telling anyone. Actually I didn't tell anyone at all except my grown son, who had to arrange to come to town to take me for surgery. Partly because of your reasoning - I didn't want to have to comfort other people. Also because: I didn't want to have to answer questions every day over & over - especially if I was having a moment I didn't think about cancer. I didn't want people ringing my doorbell with food I didn't want to eat. I didn't want to have to keep repeating myself over & over.

    Come her as often as you want. Say whatever you want. We've been there & we'll listen w/o judging - or asking anything of you. This is the hardest part - waiting for the final pieces and getting a plan in place.

    Glad you had a nurse navigator on hand and it's great that she gave you information to start reading. There is lots of good info here, but we mostly recommend you give Google a pass. Do come back & update us. You'll be in our thoughts.

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  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited October 2020

    Sounds like you are getting really good care. I hope you get good news!

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  • skylandgirl
    skylandgirl Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2020

    I remember that waiting too, and got my results within 24 hours (which I did not expect). I only shared my sudden journey with a "suspicious" mammogram with one friend, who I was sure would not express panic and just listen to me. I convinced myself that I would be OK whatever the results, and now, 24 hours after hearing of my positive results, I TRULY FEEL OK. Things work out, and as Minus 2 expressed -- do your research but give yourself a break from Google. Talk to supportive people ... that does help. There's an emotional process you have to go thorugh... So great to have this support system of women who are on a similar journey. My love to everyone!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2020

    Welcome, Wespe and Skylandgirl! We hope you both find our community to be a supportive and helpful place, we're here for you!

    The Mods

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  • MikaMika
    MikaMika Member Posts: 342
    edited October 2020

    Hi Wespe,

    Fingers crossed for your good (benign) results! 🤞


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  • LiveLoveLaugh2020
    LiveLoveLaugh2020 Member Posts: 322
    edited October 2020

    Wespe sending prayers your way for benign results. Hang in there.

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  • Wespe
    Wespe Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2020

    Thank-you all.

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  • mcrosby40
    mcrosby40 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2020

    I'm in the wait for results from my biopsy too. I am sending positive thoughts and vibes both your way. Hoping for all benign results!!!!

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  • Wespe
    Wespe Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2020

    Prayers to you. It's a weird in between time. It helps me that I'm under deadline for school and work with end of month on Saturday, but hard not to feel a little jumpy when my phone pings. @mcrosby40 looking at your post history it looks like we may have some similar vibes so far so hugs to you and pleasure to make your acquaintance; Only wish it were under more fun circumstances like at a concert surrounded by way too many people. Oh 2020, you are the worst!! *shakes fist*

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  • Wespe
    Wespe Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2020

    Confirmed IDC. Should know more in another day or two.

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  • LiveLoveLaugh2020
    LiveLoveLaugh2020 Member Posts: 322
    edited October 2020

    Sorry to hear that Wespe. The beginning is the worst, once you have all details and a plan it gets better. Hang in there.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2020

    Oh Darn Wespe. Once you get more details, please do let us know.

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  • Wespe
    Wespe Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2020

    Waiting on MRI and Genetic scheduling. Hoping to meet with surgeon at end of Nov. Luckily someone else cancelled as originally couldn't get in til mid-December.

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  • Taralynn
    Taralynn Member Posts: 99
    edited October 2020

    so sorry about this news Wespe! A month seems like a long wait to see a surgeon, once I told mine I had a confirmed cancer diagnosis they got me in within a week. Not sure what’s really the standard, but make sure they don’t just have you in as a “new patient” instead of a “new cancer patient”. Good luck to you! I just had my MRI today. Definitely easier than I was expecting :)

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2020

    Wespe - If you have enough data (like are you hormone positive or HER2+), I'd go ahead and make an appointment to meet with a medical oncologist too. Surgeon's cut. That's what they're trained to do. An oncologist may be able to give you a more rounded picture.

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  • Wespe
    Wespe Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2020

    I just got the path addendum and don't fully understand it yet
    Estrogen receptor strongly positive 90-100%
    Progesterone moderate to strongly positive 90%
    Her-2/neu over-expression: Equivocal (score 2)

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  • MikaMika
    MikaMika Member Posts: 342
    edited October 2020

    Hello,

    I am so sorry that you joined our club. What is your Ki-67? I assume that the doctor and nurse navigator that you mentioned are from cancer center. Are you able to see them soon?

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  • Wespe
    Wespe Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2020

    Thank-you. Its awfully lonely and detached feeling so it's nice to have a sounding board. 

    The rational part of me knows one step at a step and what will be, will be. Another part of me is in disbelief and just feels like I'm watching someone else. 

    I think my PCP calling me tonight and saying how sorry she was and feeling bad "I have a long road ahead" made it all feel a bit more real. Its good to know so I can do something about it, but I already miss the "ignorance is bliss" version of me. 2020 has been way too hard already. 

    It's so sobering to go from a month ago being stressed about work reports due and trying to decide if my next steps would studying for the LSAT or trying to slow down a beat and aim for a baby to watching my hospital app open balance start to sky rocket ($6,500 deductible)...

    Definitely rambling now but will be reaching out to the nurse navigator to ask about an oncologist. 

    I'm a positive person, I know this is just a real turdy pause but fuddgee sticks!

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  • Wespe
    Wespe Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2020

    @MikaMika would I find that out after genetic testing?

    I'm waiting on an MRI Appt and Genetic Testing Appt. 

    Tentative consult with surgeon for a treatment plan is the end of November. Originally it was mid-Dec but i was able to move up as someone else canceled. I live in a rural area and the Women's Center only has one breast surgeon available so she books out far. 

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2020

    In my opinion, the first thing you need to know now is if they will treat as HER2 positive. Or maybe they will test again with the 'fish' to determine. If they do treat as HER2+, you will have chemo first - not surgery, All the more reason to set an appointment with a medical oncologist NOW.

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  • MikaMika
    MikaMika Member Posts: 342
    edited October 2020

    Ki-67 is a characteristic of your tumor. How quickly your cancer grows. As I understand, it should be in your pathology (biopsy) report. Are you going to do a fertility treatment (eggs or embryos freezing) before chemo?

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  • Rah2464
    Rah2464 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited October 2020

    Wespe I agree with MinusTwo, get a consult with a MO on your schedule. If you are HER2+, that will most definitely change your surgical and treatment plan. However I would still keep the appointment with the surgeon because whenever that happens, you want a plan in place.

    Some MO's do not go by Ki-67 levels, some do so don't get anxious if that wasn't tested. Your MO can sort that one out.

    Take one step at a time and vent here as needed because we all understand how this feels.

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited October 2020

    So sorry you find yourself joining our ranks.HER2 is not considered positive unless the score is 3+. With a score of 2+, you're not considered triple positive yet. Equivocal is middle-of-the-road, not certain, so as Rah pointed out they'll further test using FISH (that’s what happened in my case). You may still end up HER2-.

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  • Wespe
    Wespe Member Posts: 13
    edited November 2020

    Genetic counseling appt this afternoon 11/3, results back within 2 wks.

    MRI next Tue 11/10

    Nurse Navigator came back and said the surgeon usually does the MO referral but she can expedite it if my PCP agrees. My PCP is a good advocate so I'm going to email her and see what she thinks; if I should wait til 11/30 for my consult with the surgeon or get on the MO referral now. My fertility options are top of mind so I'm trying to be as proactive as I can on the pieces as I can. I live in a rural area and with a lot of provider still digging out of backups from our Covid shutdown, appointments are scarce.

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  • MikaMika
    MikaMika Member Posts: 342
    edited November 2020

    Hi Wespe,

    From my experience, many healthcare providers can rearrange their schedules if you emphasize that you need treatment ASAP. You can't wait several months like other fertility patients.

    How many oncologists do you have in your area? What if your MO has a long waiting list, too? Please, please, insist on scheduling your appointment with MO right now.

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