Biopsy Tuesday

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JamG
JamG Member Posts: 21
edited March 2021 in Waiting for Test Results

I went into my PCP 2 weeks ago after feeling a mass that was right under my left breast (7:00 position) along the bra band. I have a tendency to get lipomas plus nothing showed up on my Oct 2020 mammogram, so I wasn’t even worried. She felt it and said I needed to get a mammogram and ultrasound just in case. On Thursday, I had another mammogram and it still didn’t show up. But it did on the ultrasound. A 3 cm mass that they rated Bi-rads-4C. I know there’s still a chance that it could be benign, but I’m prepared for it not to be.

I’m worried and sad. I dread telling my 15-year old daughter if it is BC. I’m a psychologist and I’m already thinking about how this couldaffect my patients. I’m using every skill I know of to stay in the present moment, but it is SO hard. The waiting absolutely sucks. Once I know and have a plan, I’ll work the plan. I recognize I have great treatment options and tons of wisdom since both my dear friend and SIL just went through this. Plus my husband is a gem. I am just feeling at the mercy of a system that seems to move at a glacial pace! Ok, thanks for listening. I’m going to jump into my day and try to stay busy. This forum has already been a tremendous help, so I’m glad I found it.

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited February 2021

    Welcome JamG! I think you are being realistic realizing all could be well/benign while also wondering some as well. I think it's compassionate you are thinking about your patients and yet as you know it is so important you take care of you first. I don't know what population(s) you work with though I would hope If the mass is not benign your clients would want you taking care of you too even if they may worry. I'm a psychologist too : ) I hear your concerns about your family as well. They were actually my biggest concern b/c I've already lost both parents and 3 sibs to various cancers (all 40's-mid-50's except my mom- 85). We just lost my youngest sister just over 6 months before my diagnosis. I still have an older sister, several nieces and nephews and a few greats- we've all been through a lot! Initially my surgeon expected invasion though it turned out it was pure DCIS though my family, I'm sure, didn't understand the difference so they remained worried for some months.

    I wish you well! I'm glad your husband is an awesome support! By now you've figured out the people on this site are too! Yes, things move slow overall though if the biopsy comes back positive then there is often a mad rush of appointments only to wait again.... You will see it mentioned on this site that breast cancer is rarely a medical emergency... I think the exception I've read is IBC? Please let us know when you get a biopsy date and keep us updated on any other new developments too. Edit: Oops... just realize biopsy Tuesday....

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited February 2021

    Hi JamG, sorry you find yourself here. Is your biopsy scheduled yet? Let us know what you find out. With a 4C being 50-95% chance of cancer, clearly there is a decent possibility it could still be a benign finding. If it isn’t you’ll do what everyone here does and just keep putting one foot in front of the other

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited February 2021

    Remember, even if it's cancer, a lot of them are one and done after treatment. The word "cancer" covers an enormous range of possibilities and situations.

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  • Beaverntx
    Beaverntx Member Posts: 3,183
    edited February 2021

    JamG, as we say here, in your pocket on Tuesday. Yes, the waiting is the worst. So glad you have a supportive husband, that makes such a difference.


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  • zebra_co
    zebra_co Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2021

    JamG, Having just gone through a biopsy 3 weeks ago, I know how hard the waiting is. I totally get your concern of thinking about telling people. I had DCIS almost 5 years ago and telling family was difficult. But they were all very supportive and I am sure that your daughter would be as well. I am very happy that you have a supportive husband. You are absolutely right that staying busy to keep your mind off it is one of the best things you can do right now. I really hope that your results come back benign. I will be thinking about you on Tuesday. Keep us updated. -zebra {hugs}

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  • JamG
    JamG Member Posts: 21
    edited February 2021

    Thank you to ALL of you for making me feel so welcome! I really appreciate your wisdom. It's really incredible to have something happen and be able to instantly connect to a group like this. Thank you so very much. I'll be back here once I figure out what I'm dealing with.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2021

    Welcome, JamG! We are so sorry you find yourself here with this worry. Please keep us posted on what you learn, we're all here for you!

    The Mods

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  • fiveoclock
    fiveoclock Member Posts: 38
    edited March 2021

    I think your biopsy is today. Good luck to you! Mine hasn’t been scheduled yet, but I’m hoping to hear something soon.

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  • JamG
    JamG Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2021

    Fiveoclock, how incredible of you to remember me today and to take the time to reach out! I had it this morning. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I'm relieved this part is over so I can get some info soon. I hope you get your appt scheduled soon. Let me know when it is so I can send you healing thoughts.

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited March 2021

    Glad the biopsy went all right JamG! I hope you don't have to wait too long for results though I'd count on early next week at the earliest just in case... then if you hear the end of this week that would be great (well, you know what I mean). The waiting and the unknowns are so difficult.

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  • JamG
    JamG Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2021

    Hi, Everyone, I just got the results. I do have breast cancer. Here’s the finding:

    INVASIVE DUCTAL CARCINOMA WITH FOCAL MICROPAPILLARY FEATURES, GRADE 2.

    I’m not even sure what it means at this point. And my doctor suggests I talk to a surgeon and oncologist to get them to go over the details with me. And maybe there are more tests? I don’t know.

    Just putting one step in front of the other...

    Thanks so much for your support. It means a lot.

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  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited March 2021

    Sorry it came back cancer. That sucks. Call and make an appointment to see a breast surgeon. If possible see one in the same group/hospital system as where you had the biopsy. when you make that appt ask about seeing an oncologist that works with the Breast surgeon. Be prepared for a bunch of appointments and possibly a bunch of tests. IE the surgeon will want to do an MRI if you haven't had one this will be the most accurate way to see if there are any other cancer spots in your breast or the other breast. They can only do a breast MRI during certain days of your cycle. IF you want to get genetic testing done, you would want to make an appointment w/a a genetic counselor for that-this can inform treatment decisions.

    When I was diagnosed in 2019 my kids were 19, 17 and almost 15. I waited until I had my visit with the Breast Surgeon and had a tentative treatment plan ironed out b/4 telling the kids or anyone else besides the hubs (and my BFF who works in the med. field) so that when I did tell them I could give some reassurances.

    Aside from the cancer I've been very healthy so being a cancer patient seems and still often seems like something happening to someone else.

    Big hugs

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited March 2021

    So sorry to hear that JamG!!! You'll get a plan before long and that will help a lot! You will follow the plan a step at a time and that helps too. Meanwhile, more appointments and waiting.... You were staying busy to help with the waiting recently. It may be a little harder now with knowledge you have IDC.... Busy will still be helpful though I'd encourage you to focus more on enjoyable things, pampering, etc. You may want to jump to the IDC forum/threads now for more specific info regarding your diagnosis and questions, etc..... Wishing you the best!

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  • fiveoclock
    fiveoclock Member Posts: 38
    edited March 2021

    Thanks so much! I’ll let you know when it’s scheduled. Today I was upgraded from 4 to 4C, so I’m hoping that means I’ll be getting booked soon. I’m really sorry to hear you have cancer. Not to minimize it at all, but when you said originally that you’ll get your plan and work your plan I believed you when you said it. You’ve got this!

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  • zebra_co
    zebra_co Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2021

    JamG, I’m sorry to hear this. Please keep us updated. You will get through this and keep reaching out for support.

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  • JamG
    JamG Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2021

    This has been one of the most surreal weeks of my life. Your messages kept me going. Thank you so much.

    Tuesday: biopsy. Wednesday: diagnosis. Thursday: telling family. Friday: met with surgeon and got treatment plan.

    Then...Tomorrow, Saturday: MRI. Tuesday: meet oncologist and radiologist...probably starting chemo shortly after.

    I'm not sure how much to share here, given that this is the forum for Waiting for Test Results, and in a matter of days I feel already so far beyond the point where I'm waiting for results (although the MRI tomorrow will add some more info). I spent Wednesday night and Thursday emailing everyone I knew for names of surgeons and oncologists. I'm so pleased with who I chose. My plan at this point is chemo first, then surgery, then radiation and hormone therapy. The toughest part of this past week was talking with family about the diagnosis.

    I knew when it first became a question of breast cancer that I would feel better with information and a plan. I feel like I can now just do what I need to do. I recognize that I'll have other strong emotions along the way, but, at least for now, I'm doing ok. I'll jump over to the other forums now, but I just want you all to know that your support during the unknown was powerful because it came with such compassion. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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  • JamG
    JamG Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2021

    Fiveoclock: Thank you for this! I hope you get scheduled soon so you can get out of the "not knowing" space. And I really hope you don't have breast cancer!! Take good care :)

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  • fiveoclock
    fiveoclock Member Posts: 38
    edited March 2021

    Thanks JamG. Wow, things moved very quickly for you, didn’t they? How are you doing now? Good luck on Tuesday! My biopsy was scheduled; it’s on March 19th. I wish we could just fast forward through time... the waiting sucks.

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  • sadwife
    sadwife Member Posts: 29
    edited March 2021

    Dear JamG, hope things are going as per plan. I am going through something similar although I haven't been fully diagnosed and I could relate to your question about how to tell your teenager. I have one myself and I dread that moment. Wish I could never tell my parents as they are hundreds of miles away and will worry themselves to death. Lots of love to you!!

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