Hi, I'm 47yo just looking for some support during the wait...2 1/2 weeks ago I went to my PCP for an unrelated reason, I asked her about a relatively large lump in my left breast that had been going up and down during my last 2 periods, but didn't go down again-I've always had fibrocystic breasts. She thought it was probably just a cyst but ordered a diagnostic mammo and U/S. On the mammo, they saw a cluster of microcalcifications in or near the area and some "solid matter" in the cyst. I was scheduled for a core biopsy 3 days later.(10-16) The surgeon told me Wednesday the 21st that the biopsy had been sent out for a 2nd opinion on the solid matter, but the cystic fluid was OK. She said that the pathologists said the cells were too difficult to differentiate or categorize as benign or malignant and sent it to a specialized lab-results would take 1-2 weeks. She has scheduled me for a bilateral MRI this Thursday with a followup visit with her on Monday. She said that no matter what, the area has to come out...She did say though that she did not feel this was anything life threatening even if malignant. I am still very nervous and wonder, since I am small breasted, if this area is large what would be my options for surgery? If they excise the area and the margins around it, it would leave me really lopsided....Has anyone else had this experience? I know there isn't any certainty until the pathology comes back, but I can't stop my mind from going in all directions......I've read so many posts from you brave women and just wanted to ask....God bless...
~Anne
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GrinAndBear… Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 19 |
Oct 26, 2009 11:28 pm
GrinAndBearIt wrote:
Dear Anne, It sounds like a large cyst. It is good your doc is ordering an MRI, they are very definative. I know you are sitting on a tack waiting for the results. Normally they know cancer cells when they see them, I think this is good for you. Still, you never know until the lump is out. About the missing area after your lumpectomy. You might be surprised that the scar will be small. It is my experience that you may have some depression, but talk to a qualified plastic surgeon to see what is available. Good luck and let us know! I will be praying for you. Diagnosis: 9/5/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 0/18 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- |
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bugdm Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 68 |
Oct 27, 2009 12:28 am
bugdm wrote:
Dear GrinAnd Bear, Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so glad I found this site. My husband and co-workers are so supportive, but I normally talk everything through with my sisters and parents, too. I just didn't want to worry them unnecessarily because they are dealing with my youngest sister's Stage IV lung cancer( a non-smoker dx'd at 33yo-cancer free for 5 yrs after lobectomy, then came back mets to bones). With 2 kids (8 & 10)she is status-quo on a pill form of chemo since last Nov. So you can see my hesitation in worrying them...I will only tell them IF it will be more than excising the area or the path is bad....It sure helps to know that if my mind wanders into the scary thoughts, I have many voices here to reassure me...I'll will definitely keep you posted! |
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Fidelia Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 307 |
Oct 27, 2009 01:02 am
Fidelia wrote:
Hi Bugdm - agree completely with GrinAnd Bear - the doctor is right in wanting to excise the lump and it is amazing how quickly the breast will 'fill' in again - I think you are very considerate in not wanting to worry your sister and parents - lean on the girls here - and really hope all will be well - fibrocystic disease does not seem to be a precursor to breast cancer but it causes so much anxiety because until the lump is out and gone - there is always the wondering!! Best wishes for you AND your sister - life can throw out some BIG challenges :( |
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kittycat Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 562 |
Oct 27, 2009 02:04 am
kittycat wrote:
The waiting period is the worst part. Good luck!!! Dx 6/17/09 at 39 yrs old, DCIS, Stage 0, Grade 2, ER-/PR-, BRCA1+, bilat mast & TE recon
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allvirgo71 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 139 |
Oct 27, 2009 09:11 am
allvirgo71 wrote:
yes, keep us posted! bestest b9 wishes for you! Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious. www.allvirgo.weebly.com
Diagnosis: 10/8/2009, DCIS, 4cm, Grade 3, ER+/PR+ |
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bugdm Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 68 |
Oct 27, 2009 09:21 pm
bugdm wrote:
GrinAndBear, Fidelia, kittycat and allvirgo71... Thank you SO much for the B9 wishes and support...it's true the waiting is the worst part! I know I will be OK as soon as I have some answers and an action plan...I have felt for some time now that there was something going on with my body, I just couldn't pinpoint what...I swear my dog, a golden retreiver, has been lying right outside my bedroom door now for months and acting like he's "protecting"me...I actually thought to myself..."I wonder if I have some disease or cancer...." Now I just have to be patient to see if his insticts are right! You will all be in my prayers tonight! |
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shernu Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 |
Oct 27, 2009 10:12 pm
shernu wrote:
I just joined the conversation and know exactly what you mean about the WAITING. I'm waiting for my onco score...Wish you B9 news, Hanag in there Diagnosis: 9/22/2009, IDC, 1cm, Grade 1, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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bugdm Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 68 |
Oct 27, 2009 11:45 pm
bugdm wrote:
Thanks, shernu! God Bless and Good Luck on your onco scores... ~Anne |
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bugdm Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 68 |
Oct 28, 2009 06:10 pm
bugdm wrote:
Hi everyone! My BS called back and the pathology appears to be benign! WHEW!!! She said it is an Intraductal Papilloma. It still has to come out...I was supposed to have a bilateral MRI done tomorrow night to see if there any others and the exact size and location of this mass BUT my insurance (Anthem) won't cover it-they say that without an actual BC diagnosis and family history, it is considered investigational! My surgeon is going to call and get a Peer Review from an Anthem doc to try to convince them of the necessity....I'm still nervous because much of what I have read about Intraductal Papillomas has been that after excision many have been determined to be malignant...but I'm focusing on the initial B9 report... I guess this is just an outpatient surgery...I'll know more after my visit with the surgeon on Monday..... Praying for good news for all.... ~Anne |
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Lisa1962 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 314 |
Oct 29, 2009 02:48 pm
Lisa1962 wrote:
Dear bugdm, I'm really glad to hear that the BS called with a B9 pathology report! I'm really sorry that your insurance company is giving you a hard time about the MRI---I hope that your surgeon will be able to get them to reconsider the necessity of it. Keep us informed as you move along, and I'll be sending you good thoughts, prayers, & wishes.....Lisa |
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shernu Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 |
Oct 29, 2009 09:05 pm
shernu wrote:
BUGDM - Great news on B9 report. Hopefully your BS can influence the insurance company to do the right thing. Thoughts with you. Shernu Diagnosis: 9/22/2009, IDC, 1cm, Grade 1, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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Eagle713 Joined: May 2009 Posts: 26 |
Oct 30, 2009 04:33 pm
Eagle713 wrote:
I, too, had an intraductal papilloma with a bloody discharge from the nipple. It was removed 6 weeks ago, and except for my nipple flattened out, I'm pretty much back to normal. Don't expect to do much for 2-3 days, keep the surgical wrap on, and get yourself a couple front fastening sports bras from Walmart. I'm still wearing it on top of my regular bra as extra support. Mine was benign, and my surgeon was very encouraging that everything is under control. I have a followup appointment next week. Hopefully nothing funky going on in there. Good luck to you- here's praying for the same results for you. Diagnosis: None |
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bugdm Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 68 |
Oct 31, 2009 10:16 am
bugdm wrote:
Hi everyone! Thanks for all the kind words! Well my BS called the insurance company's doc and still couldn't convince them to pay for the MRI. So I still have the appt Monday with the BS to discuss surgery. Thanks Eagle713 for the info...I haven't found anyone else that has posted back after the removal of their papilloma. I never had nipple discharge and I don't know the size, so I have no idea of the amount of tissue they have to remove. If I can have the surgery done right before Thanksgiving, I won't have to take so much time off from work. I work at an elementary school and we are closed the day before and the day after...so that would help. Plus, I'm not cooking this year...just pies. I will post again after my appt, so I can let you all know what's up. Thanks agaiin!!! ~Anne |
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bugdm Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 68 |
Nov 9, 2009 12:39 am
bugdm wrote:
Hi to all, Just a quick update, I have a Ultrasound guided lumpectomy scheduled for Tuesday where the BS will take out what she said is the papilloma which is 1.5cm and the cyst it is in and and most likely the whole duct as well. A biopsy will be done on the whole thing and hopefully no malignancy will be found in the areas they didn't hit with the core biopsy. The insurance company(Anthem) wouldn't budge on the MRI! So if there are any more masses similar to this, I'll have to do this again... Eagle 713, how did your follow-up visit go? Was yours just a solitary papilloma? That's what I am hoping for me! I'll post back after surgery on Tuesday-although I won't have results-but just to check in! Thanks so much for your support! It's comforting to know someone is listening when I can't sleep.... God Bless...~Anne |
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Mich_M Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 261 |
Nov 9, 2009 11:08 pm
Mich_M wrote:
Hi bugdm....hope all goes well for you tomorrow and sorry to hear your insurance co. won't pay for your MRI. I had one on Sat but I live in Canada so no fighting with insurance companies. All the best and God bless you too. Mich
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bugdm Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 68 |
Nov 19, 2009 09:54 am
bugdm wrote:
HI to all, Just an update. The surgery went really well, incision is about a 3 inch long crescent and after another grueling 8 day wait(they sent this sample for a second opinion as well) I finally heard last night from the nurse that it is a bening Intracystic Papilloma-no malignant cells! It was a little more complex because the mass was inside the cyst. I have my follow up appointment on Monday and I'm still sore, but not too bad...Will find out then what type of further follow ups I will need. Thank you all for your tremendous support! ~Anne |
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Cynbatt Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 45 |
Nov 19, 2009 11:48 am
Cynbatt wrote:
I am so glad about both the surgery and the diagnosis! Lots of ice helped with the soreness. Also, tylenol if they didn't give you pain meds. |
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Mich_M Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 261 |
Nov 25, 2009 03:45 pm
Mich_M wrote:
Hi Anne.....You've been in my thoughts. I'm so happy to hear about your result!!! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving! Mich
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