Here I go again

Peaches70 · August 2007

Had a follow-up mammo and MRI yesterday at Einstein in Philly. (This being 6 months after a biopsy which found LCIS) The good news is that this is a great facility with an awesome high resolution digital mammo (didn't even have to hold my breath). The disturbing news is that a "new" area of concern showed up. It may be new or may be due to the better technology. Either way, I'll be going for my fourth biopsy, third this year. They should give frequent flier miles for this.
I would like to recommend this facility for anyone in the area with extremely dense breasts, like me. I had no problem seeing the microcalcifications on the screen. AND they do MRIs - both at once - in a specially made machine.

manos · August 2007

Good Luck! Mine was digital also and they said it could be old area they did not catch before or new. I guess this center just got the new machine. I am still waiting on results and I hope the best for you and being b9.

leaf · August 2007

I am so sorry you are going through this, Peaches70.

I had 2 more biopsies 13 months after the excision, and 6 months after I started tamoxifen. One was for calcs, the other was a potential 'mislabeling' issue. Both turned out consistent with scar tissue.

I know this is DEFINITELY NOT the way you want to earn frequent flier miles.

Has your biopsy been scheduled? Wishing you normal...Please know I am thinking of you, and wishing you well.

Peaches70 · August 2007

Had the stereotactic biopsy today. I'm so glad it's over, but wish I had the results already. Also wish that the table was designed better for someone with neck problems. By the time I was finished, my whole neck and jaw were in spasm. It took me 15 minutes for the pain to start subsiding. The novacaine and the needle-punch were nothing compared to that pain. To make it even more uncomfortable, at first I was positioned where I could see a reflection of my boob hanging under the table. I could not imagine watching the procedure! (I asked to switch position before it was too late.)Apparently I bled more this time. Good thing I didn't watch. I'm really lousy about my own blood. I'm such a wimp. Now I'm sitting here looking very flat due to the Ace bandage around my chest. And no swimming until...well, I guess I'm done for the summer since I have another surgical procedure (on my thigh) scheduled next week. All this rambling is just covering up my anxiety. The place where the new microcalcifications were spotted also happened to be slightly sore and had a little thickening that I could feel. Oh, my poor boob!

Anonymous · August 2007

Did they say when they would have the results for you? I wish they would use a table like the massage therapists do with the cut-out for your face, so you wouldn't have to keep your head turned to one side for so long (I feel your pain as I have neck problems too). Maybe an ice pack and ibuprophen will help--have any muscle relaxers on hand? You would think in this age of high technology, they could make it more comfortable. You know you'll be in my thoughts and prayers for good results.

Anne

Peaches70 · August 2007

Last time she called me two days later. I recently learned that two women I know go to the same BS. One of them said she was able to wait in the office while the biopsy was messengers down to the lab. She had her results in a few hours. I was hoping that would be the case, but she had a full schedule today.
If I don't hear something by Friday, I'll call.
Thanks for the wishes.

leaf · August 2007

I am so sorry you are going through this. I know all this is just covering up anxiety about your results. I hated the dripping too.

I recently had neck surgery. Three of us have LCIS and nothing worse, and neck problems - is there some sort of jinks?

Waiting is so horrible. I sure wish they could eliminate that part of the process. Know that I'm thinking of you and wishing you the best.

lvtwoqlt · August 2007

I agree with the comfortable factor for the stero table. I have had 3 stero biopsies in the past 3 years, the first time nothing was given to calm me and I was tingley numb from my head down my spine down my legs. I also had problems bleeding with the first one, the other two were not as bad, valium is wonderful. The last time I told the technicians and doctor that I was looking for Bill Murray to walk through the door. The first two times was ADH the last time DCIS.

The doctor said that they would call the next day with the results, they did not call until late in the day on day 2. After verifing who she was speaking to me, asked if I was at home alone. What a way to hear that it is cancer.

Sheila

Peaches70 · August 2007

Oh, Sheila, how awful. I guess she wanted you to have someone there, but just that question gave the news away. I remember being stunned when she called me last time because I didn't expect to hear so soon, and after 5 PM. My first thought was "Oh, no", but she just wanted to check on me. She told me it was more of the same as the previous year, but then when I went to the office a few days later, she told me about the LCIS and needing to have an excisional biopsy. It must be difficult to find the best way to let you know the results - either way - without making you even more anxious.

lvtwoqlt · August 2007

The thing is I was at work, but on Friday afternoons I am the only person on the first floor, I am switchboard operator work 8-5 m-f rest of department works 7-5 m-th 7-11 Friday. I shut down the switchboard, called husband on cell phone and cried on him, then went to third floor and cried on a shoulder for 10 minutes, then called my mom (6 yr survivor)and cried on her. I think I cried about 30 minutes or more. Though I had a feeling that something was not right at my mammo when the radiologist sent the cancer nurse out to discuss when I had surgery last and which side it was on. (Sept 06 right) She said that it was additional micro-calcifications in the same area as my last lumpectomy for ADH.

The front office had called earlier in the day to schedule follow-up but said he had no openings for 3 weeks, after nurse called me she said that I would be getting call on Monday or Tuesday because she said he would want to see me sooner, they called Tuesday AM and in his office Wed PM. I was at PS office the following Monday, surgery scheduled for June 1.

I had been preparing for this diagnosis for 2 years, surgeon suggested in Sept preventive bi-lat mast because of multiple previous ADH dx. Good thing I kept up with my 6 month mammo, surgery took care of everything, no node involvement so no chemo or rads. Early detection saves lives, mine!

Sheila

lvtwoqlt · August 2007

I was lucky, my final biopsy showed no DCIS remaining but ADH and Ductal Hyperplaysia in both breasts. It would have been a matter of time before the cancer would have reared it's ugly head again maybe even worse than DCIS. I decided I was not going to give it a second chance.

I also had a meltdown the night before my surgery on the phone again with my husband, he is long-haul trucker. He was on his way home about 2 hours away when I called in tears, panicked about what I was getting ready to do to my body. I am 13 weeks out from surgery, and at full expansion for recon, waiting for all to settle before exchange.

Layne, good luck on any additional surgery.

Sheila

Indigoblue · August 2007

I am having a bilateral digital (lst of both breasts) on Friday, and truly dreading it. Is it me, or are these digital mammograms excrutiating and painful...had one of the left surgery side and 3 and a half months later, it still hurts. They are accurate, for certain, the tech showed me the pictures and I almost fell over! Learned some things I wasn't aware regarding breast tissue, and the amount of "stuff" floating around in these dense boobies of ours (not everyone's); mine have a jungle in them.

Amazing how our perceptions in regards to the definition of the word "lucky"change so; after a scare with breast cancer, it takes on an entirely new definition. I used to think lucky meant meeting the right lover, or winning 5 dollars on a lotto ticket; for missing a squirrel or another car on the highway. Having a good teacher, friends, or just having a nice day; lucky.

Lucky Lepruchons, toothfairies, kissing a blarney stone on a lucky vacation to The British Isles; lucky, finding a four leaf clover, he loves me he loves me not on a daisy's pedals, finding the right outfit to wear on a job interview I was lucky enough to be considered for an interview in the first place; getting the job! lucky...

Now, all that is swept by the wayside; lucky? NED.

love you lucky ladies, we're lucky to have this site, albeit sad, lonely, informative, happy, it's a good place. I consider myself lucky to know you all!

Be well, be loved, it's a glorious rainy day!
Indi

leaf · August 2007

Quote:

Is it me, or are these digital mammograms excrutiating and painful...

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I think that my entire perspective changed after I got my diagnosis.

Some women find taking Tylenol (if its OK for you otherwise) before a mammo helpful.

Peaches70 · August 2007

Well, it looks like it will be a long weekend. I never heard anything yesterday. I called this morning. The BS is in surgery all day, and in any event, the results did not come back yet. I see her Monday morning, so I guess I can wait until then. Just wish I didn't.

TenderIsOurMight · August 2007

Peaches,

Why don't you call her office again, explain it's Friday and if at all possible, would like to know your results prior to the weekend. That's reasonable since you had the biopsy Tuesday.

Lots of time, surgeons sit in the lounge and can check results by telephone and call you. Likewise, a quick walk to the lab is often done.

Perhaps telling them you're very anxious is necessary (isn't any one in these circumstances?). But calling again may move things, at least I hope so.

Thinking of you,
Tender

Peaches70 · August 2007

Thanks for your thought. I did tell the person who answered (who is new, unfortunately, and doesn't quite get it) that I really hoped I wouldn't have to go through the weekend without knowing. She said she would leave a message, but reiterated that the doctor was in surgery all day. She also checked to see if the office had my report and said it wasn't there. I am hoping that the doctor gets the message and that the biopsy was actually sent to that hospital. (The previous ones all did.) If so, she might be able to get the report there and call. She is usually so good about this. I was surprised that I didn't get a call yesterday. There is a chance, however, that she might have sent this biopsy to the hospital in Philadelphia that did my last mammo, since she considers it so "cutting edge". If so, that might be the delay. I will try one more time, then just try to put it out of my mind until Monday.

leaf · August 2007

Sounds like you have a good 'plan of action'. I bet that feels better than just waiting there, unable to have any input. Maybe at least you'll be able to find out if they sent the results to Philly.

Wishing you the best through this weekend.

Anonymous · August 2007

Peaches--I swear, sometimes I think the waiting and the fear of the unknown is worse than the disease itself. The results of my stereotactic biopsy and my excisional biopsy both took 7 to 8 days; I had to wait 5 weeks total before I knew my ovarian cysts were not cancerous for sure. All 3 times, I tried to keep life as normal as possible for my family by just going about our daily routines, school, work, etc.... interspersed with a great deal of prayer!!!! It kept me calm and centered. My next MRI is coming up in about 2 weeks and I'm already feeling new bumps and lumps and imagining the worst. I hope and pray you get good news soon.
You're at the top of my prayer list!
Anne

Indigoblue · August 2007

December 15, 2005 surgery, biopsy, snl and nuke stuff, sick from the anesthstetic, and a hemaotma at least 10 cm, growing larger, while a seroma developing in the armpit was also getting larger by the minute. Forced to attend Christmas, reluctantly, I went via surgeon's thought it would ease my mind...right...pain on the 9 hour drive, feeling like hell and having anxiety attacks as I wondered what the "lesions and nodes" would find. Had to wait until after the holidays. That time was horrifying and unexpectantly miserable. Thought I'd know about the biopsy the same day, if not the next 2 or 3 days...it took 2 weeks, and I resisted calling the surgeon. My breast felt like it was going to explode, I wanted to go home, and meanwhile everyone had an attitude: "how dare you have cancer?","why is your speech slurred?", why are you sleeping, crying, falling apart at the seams?". The surgeon seemed to give me a lecture on fearless courage, and was telling me I was lucky to have found the l.7 cm tumore; which grew from 1.- in less than 2 weeks.

I was supposed to forget about it? What was the deal in giving me the low-down, the facts, the truth about what and how the biopsy results are defined?

Okay, jingle bells, jingle bells, santa's on some stinkin' sleigh and rudolf's nose went out due to an electrical white=out and no batteries as the toys required all available circuit connections...

Indi

leaf · August 2007

No one should have to go through what you went through Indigoblue. No one is in your shoes. How dare they presume what sort of attitude you should have. Our feelings need to be respected, no matter what they are.

What do they think, that you chose to have cancer, and incidentially ruin their holidays?

I'm glad I didn't have your surgeon. Your feelings and reactions are yours.

You sure deserved better, Indigoblue. I am so sorry you went through such an awful time.

Here I go again

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