Topic: Mammo & Ultrasound Today, Biopsy tomorrow!!

Beckie:

If the radiologist has heard of IBC he then knows this is something not to fool around with. He most likely spoke to your surgeon after he was done talking with you.  When doctors talk to each other things move faster then with the office staff will.   The soon you get the bx and results the soon treatment can start.   After I received my dx of IBC things started moving very fast. 

Good Luck tomorrow will be sending many prayers your way.

Hugs

Laura

In all likelihood, you'll be given something to numb the area. Ask about it right away so they know you want maximum pain relief. Afterwards you will probably be very sore. Most women find OTC pain meds (tylenol or ibuprofen) enough. Also, a lot of places give you a mini ice pack to put in your bra. Ask for this, also.

I was OK without anything - sore, but OK. Do what you have to do.

Best of luck. Hoping for B9 results for you.

Leah

Thanks you to you all for you kindness, sincere concerns and advice. I will post tomorrow and let you know the skinny. ((Hugs))   B9...be mine hope

Well, today was an absolute waste of my time and stressfulfor my husband as well. We got to the Breast specialists office and were speedily put in a room. I was surprised when the nurse said,"she will evaluate your films and be in shortly and go over them with you if you want." I told her I definaely did want to have her go over the films. We waited til 2:30! We were put in a room at 1:20!! I am livid. She finally comes in and  asks a few non relevant questions and then askes me to get on the table. She examines my breast(s) and then says to me that she saw nothing on the mammogram and the US results were nothing. NOTHING??!!!!!! WTH!! I elaborated on the meet with the radiologist and told her I was paraniod about having cancer. She sarcastically said that radiologists are just paranoid in general. So blase, and not interested in my situation at all. She was in a hurry and could care less if we knew.She then goes into the infection scenario, bla, bla, bla, and says to come back in a week, and she would schedule another US to see if the lump is still there. If so, she would then schedule a biopsy in 4 weeks or so . Now my ears are smoking. I just calmly agreed and then I asked her about my IBC concerns. She then became very pert and said that pain is not a symptom of breast cancer and it did not occur in 95% of cases. She was adamant about my having an infection and wanted to stress that if after my antibiotics, if I still feel a lump, it is just pus that the body will not absorb. I am now thinking, B**ch, your a** is about to absorb my friggin shoe. I just gathered my self, my DH and we left. I will not return to her. She was in a hurry, had 5 more patients to see and its Friday. Please, she had NO intention of doing a biopsy this late in the afternoon. Who was she kidding.I will be contacting my insurance to let them know that this was not what I was scheduled for and I will seek a second opinion. I will pick up my films Monday and have my obgyn schedule a biopsy at the hospital and get this dam show over with.I will also demand a copy of the rdiology report from yesterday. I want them to understand that I do not want this cancer or any other...I just want to now I do not have it. Am I speaking a foriegn languge her??? OMG!!

My husband and I KNEW she had not even looked at the mammo or US films because she had no idea which breast, where the lump was or what size it was.I am surely disappointed, confused, irritated and sick and tired of being a number in the system.My sister, who had both breasts removed a year ago told me that the doctors at johns Hopkins could have cared less about her, and they were way too concerned with authorizing her procedure instead of the procedure itself. This is so scary to me because their healthcare system for cancer treatment is listed a #3 in the U.S. I guess I need to get out of the Hallmark shoppe and realize there was only one Patch Adams and unfortunately I will never ceross paths with him or one like him.So, Monday the buck stops or else.Look for my face on the evening news. Crap!!

Beckie, how frustrating (total understatement!!) I am glad that you are not taking what she says as she expects you to.  My breast was slightly pink, NO OTHER SYMPTOMS! when I went in, I have no family history.  IBC often has no lump (what is this doc thinking??)  I did have a mass that showed up on mamo & US, but it could not be felt, even when we were looking at on the US.  You are soooo right not to give up until you get a definitive answer.  Good for you!!  Keep us posted, I'll be thinking of you! Much Love, Jessica

Beckie, wow she was so uncompassionate... glad to hear you fired her.  The fact that she would say there is no pain with breast cancer shows she doesn't know IBC, because that is a symptom.  I see you live in Georgia... you could apply to MD Anderson in Houston and go straight there for a diagnosis.  MDA has the largest IBC department in the world.  I know if they see something on a scan, they will not wait 4 weeks to do a biopsy... time is too important if it is IBC.  Praying it is not IBC and that God leads you to the right doctors.  -Bonnie

Hi Beckie, did the radiologist that looked at your US say that it showed 'jagged' or 'peaks'?  That is what showed up on my US done the day before biopsy.  I'd had a mammo & US done 7 months earlier and nothing showed up.  

I was sent for MRI and was coming out of the imaging center where I had the MRI when I got the call from the oncologist to come see him right away and bring my husband.... that's when he broke the news that the results of the biopsy were positive.

IBC is rare and chances are you do not have IBC.  But, it is important to get a diagnosis quickly.  Don't be discouraged... hang in there.  Sounds like you need a smile... check out the new IBC thread I just started "Just to see you Smile" and watch & listen to the litte song that makes me smile even when I feel like crying.  Prayers & hugs, Bonnie

Picked up my US report...BIRADS 4 : SUSPICIOUS

ill defined hypoechoic region with poorly  defined margins woorisome for malignancy. Working on getting biopsy. :(

Going to the Just to see you smile    really need it

Beckie, Keep us posted, I'm thinking of you!! XOXO

Hey Girls,

Biopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. I have had alot of pain the last couple days and it was constant yesterday afternoon through the night. I can't wait until this is settled.I feel so selfish worrying about this all the time. I am inside a box right now. Thanks for your replies and support.

Beckie, praying all is good and no IBC.  -Bonnie

Gg & Cheers,

The hours are dragging....I did not go anywhere today because of swelling and tenderness. I haven't taken anything for pain.  I have a bad feeling and its like a cloud over my head. I have probably read way too much, but, here is one thing I found that really put the lid on the can:

(This is from a radiology CME Course)

Hypoechoic Lesions with Ill-Defined Borders. Lesions with ill-defined margins are more likely to be malignant. If the anterior margin of the lesion is somewhat triangular, malignancy should be suspected. (Kopans)

Lesions that Produce Posterior Acoustic Shadowing. Acoustical shadowing is not always indicative of malignancy. Cooper's ligaments may shadow because of refraction from the steep angle of incidence. Fibrosis or a previous surgical scar tissue may produce an acoustic shadow. These fibrotic areas are particularly seen in the upper outer quadrant. Fibrocystic breast tissue with pericystic fibrosis may also cause shadowing.

Ultrasound Appearance Of Malignant Disease Of The Breast

• hypoechoic

• irregularly marginated (especially anterior margin)

• heterogeneous internal echoes

• acoustic shadowing

Well, I have the hypoechoic, ill defined margins and the heterogeneous action going on in my US report. I am expecting the dx, but what kind???

The questions about finances, moral and just 10,000 things a second racing through my mind, not to mention the decisions about treatment and care, etc...wholly sh*^, what a friggin nightmare. Thank you all for your hopes & hugs and I am still crossing the fingers!! XOXO

Oh ((((Beckie)))), hugs!  I'm sorry, it is like a nightmare, but hopefully you are going to get a diagnosis soon. 

Jennifer & Lynn, I see you have 'Cancer Schmancer' in your signature line.. I read that book by Fran Dresser (cancer of the uterus) and passed it along to my family.  Never thought I'd get cancer let alone one as rare as IBC, didn't even know what it was.  IBC hits at any age.  The KOMO TV video has a 16 year old that got it.  I also know a woman who is now 35 but got IBC at the age of 28, and she is now doing very well.  I hope that you are doing well with your treatments.   Hugs, Bonnie

Jessica,

So am I. Hopefully pathology has my report to my doctor today.. But I have a feeling I will be waiting until the weekend is over. I am trying to inform myself and either way its stressfull. My swelling and redness from the biopsy has subsided and only a beautifully colored bruise now accented with a small entry point.Fingers crossed...thanks for the advice..I really do admire you and all  the women on this forum and have a great  reverece for their strength and spirit

Cheers